As Trade Training manager for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) I help the network deliver international trade services to the business community. I have specific responsibility to deliver on our MOU's with Department of International Trade (DIT) and HMRC regarding export documentation which are an important part of Chambers International Trade offering. Along with colleagues from the network I have developed a series of International Trade one day courses which are now run across the UK. I initially trained as an accountant and held various positions in practice culminating in being the Manager of a branch office of the largest independent accountants in Warwickshire. In 1993 I moved into industry working as Finance Manager for a company in the optical industry which exported to Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. In 1999 I was promoted to General Manager and became responsible for managing the companies international network of distributors. In 2008 I joined the BCC as Finance Manager and was appointed National Trade Services Manager in July 2011.