Minister meets with 13 EIC member companies to discuss issues facing UK industry
London, 31 January 2018: On 29 January, the Energy Industries Council (EIC), the leading trade association for companies that supply goods and services to the energy industries worldwide, held a round table with Baroness Rona Fairhead, Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion at the Department for International Trade (DIT), and 13 CEOs from EIC member companies representing the full range of energy sectors and organisations of all sizes.
The firms which took part in the round table were Alderley, Atkins, Booth Welsh, DNV GL, Elfab, Highview Power Storage, Mech-Tool Engineering, Process Vision, Schneider Electric, Severn Glocon Group, Spencer Group, TP Group, and YPS Valves.
The meeting covered high level industry issues, focusing on the challenges that British suppliers to local and global energy sectors are facing, such as Brexit, development of overseas partners, energy and trade policy, export growth, funding for skills and technology and the establishment of centres of excellence and supply hubs.
Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, Baroness Rona Fairhead said, ‘As we build a new Export Strategy, DIT will continue to engage closely with businesses, including those in the energy sector, to ensure that we are providing the right support to enable them to take advantage of opportunities overseas.’
Commenting on the round table event, EIC CEO Stuart Broadley said, ‘The EIC Westminster Round Table highlighted just how keen government is to support the UK energy supply chain to win work around the world.
‘It was very reassuring to hear emphasis on continuity and stability when it comes to post-Brexit trade between the UK and the EU27, with the Minister announcing that work is already underway to convert existing Free Trade Agreements into Bilateral Trade Agreements.
‘Among the EIC member companies present, a key message was that “together we are stronger”, with a real openness to sharing information and forming joint ventures to ramp up UK capability being expressed.
‘The EIC will now begin to develop the UK’s first energy supply chain capability register, which will be of vital importance to the government as it works on post-Brexit trade agreements.’
As a former Business Ambassador for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) with a strong background in global business, Baroness Fairhead brings a wealth of business and economic experience to the DIT.
Rona was Chairman of the BBC Trust from 2014 to 2017. Prior to this, she was Chairman and CEO of the Financial Times Group from 2006 to 2013. In 2012 she received a CBE for Services to Industry.
The EIC and DIT have a long history of working together to support UK energy supply chain companies to expand into new markets around the world. A similar round table event was held in 2017, while the two organisations regularly co-host export showcases around the UK. The DIT is also a member of the EIC Connect Advisory Board, a global event model which brings together suppliers and major operators and contractors to discuss how they can work together on active and future projects.
The EIC will now prepare a full briefing pack detailing the issues raised and the Minister’s responses which will be shared with EIC member companies.
About the EIC
Established in 1943, the EIC is the leading trade association for companies working in the global energy industries. Our member companies, who supply goods and services across the oil and gas, power, nuclear and renewable sectors, have the experience and expertise that operators and contractors require.
As a not-for-profit organisation with offices in key international locations, the EIC’s role is to help members maximise commercial opportunities worldwide.
We do this in a variety of ways from providing detailed project market data and intelligence; to showcasing specialist skills and connecting suppliers with buyers; through to running tailored training courses and events that inform and engage the industry.
The services we offer play an important part in supporting over 600 member companies to do business in a competitive marketplace.
To find out more about the EIC and see a full list of members, visit: www.the-eic.com
