Miss Jan Thomson | Chief Executive Officer janan@export-connections.co.uk
Jan has a Marketing and Management degree from The University of Leeds and started her career in market research. Jan later began working in the Centre of International Business at Leeds University as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate. Jan has eight years international business experience developing export business for UK manufacturers. Jan has been a member of and holds qualifications with the Market Research Society, Institute of Export, Chartered Management Institute and Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Mr Adam Cross | Deputy Chief Executive Officer adam@export-connections.co.uk
Adam is a Senior Lecturer in International Business at Leeds University Business School and is Director of the Centre for Chinese Business and Development (CCBD). Prior to starting his academic career, Adam worked for five years as an international trader, dealing with some of the world's largest firms as both customer and supplier. Currently, Adam's research interests concentrate mainly on cross-border licensing; the management of intellectual property as a business asset; outward foreign direct investment from emerging markets and foreign market entry analysis. Adam teaches international business and intellectual capital management on a number of undergraduate and MBA programmes, both in the UK and overseas, and has taught on and organised numerous executive training programmes. He is a member of the operations committee of CIBER Yorkshire, an organisation supported by UKTI to strengthen linkages between business and international business scholars in the region.

Mr Robert Dewhurst |  Director robert@export-connections.co.uk
Robert is an MBA qualified strategic business leader. Robert has held a number of senior management roles in several global manufacturing firms. Robert has firsthand experience in creating links between UK and Eastern European manufacturers. Robert worked as a regional manager for the Yorkshire Enterprise Group leading manufacturers through organisational change introducing lean manufacturing techniques, research and development, and reducing environmental waste.

Mr John Warren | Director of Strategy john@export-connections.co.uk
John holds an MSc in Manufacturing Management and Technology. John has dedicated much of his career to successfully delivering change management projects including short-term business recovery projects for SME's through to multi-site, long-term change programmes in major organisations such as BT and Local Government. John is a professionally qualified business improvement consultant with over 20 years experience. John also runs a business improvement consultancy www.coulddoitbetter.com

Mr Brian Gardner | Finance Director brian@export-connections.co.uk
A finance executive, currently acting as a consultant with a leading London based research consultancy. Apart from working in the United Kingdom, Brian has worked in Canada, the United States, and various regions of the Middle East. With a background in international finance, he brings a wealth of experience. He has worked directly with Boards, top executives and domestic and international governments to build consensus and move complex projects forward in international finance.

Mr Sand Kalu| International Associate sand@export-connections.co.uk
Sand holds academic qualifications in International Trade and an MSc in Business and Management. Sands professional qualifications include Professional Consulting and Value Management, Associate Member of the Chartered Management Institute and an Affiliate Member of the Institute of Consulting. And a certificate of management consulting essential from the Chartered Management Institute. Sand is a fully trained International Trade Director. Sands core areas of expertise are providing consultancy services to support businesses interested in expanding their business into the Africa market, which covers international trade research, entry strategy, documentation, sourcing and connecting local distributors, outsourcing, and risk management, within Africa. In addition, he has previously worked with a shipping management company, a chartered accountancy firm, management -consulting firm, and education consultancy firm, which gives him a vast business experience. He was the principal consultant that successfully facilitated multi- million Naira capital investments into an agriculture project in Nigeria.