Export Champions

We were pleased to attend the first British Chamber of Commerce Dubai evening networking in the UK.

It was hosted at the Other House Hotel, South Kensington, London and attended by BCCD members, guests, representation from UK-based industry and government stakeholders.

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO, Rachel Blackburn (pictured at the event) said "Having delivered Executive Coaching Programmes in the UAE previously it was great to reconnect and understand the current business priorities in Dubai."

Rachel delivered a motivational talk in the Financial District in Dubai back in 2015 and the details are here: https://www.us2uconsulting.com/news-and-events/150-meeting-moaning-and-making-a-difference

For more information please see our service sheet here or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an informal conversation to see how we can support your business.

#ExportChampions #MadeInTheUKSoldToTheWorld

US2U Consulting Founder & CEO, Rachel Blackburn, recently returned from a dynamic week in New York City in September, strengthening transatlantic relationships and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

The trip was designed to combine high-level networking and thought leadership with US2U Consulting’s commitment to helping individuals and organisations achieve positive, lasting change. In addition to meeting with clients and existing connections, highlights included attending an AI Startup Networking Rooftop Event, where Rachel connected with entrepreneurs and innovators at the forefront of artificial intelligence.

Rachel also joined industry leaders and community partners at a Networking Reception hosted by New York City Football Club at the future site of their impressive new stadium at Etihad Park. This event provided a valuable platform for discussing sport, business, and community impact in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

The week concluded at the United Nations Headquarters with the GloCha Conference and Exhibit: Local Action for Global Challenges, held on Thursday 18th September 2025. This inspiring event focused on driving sustainable solutions through international cooperation, aligning closely with US2U Consulting’s ethos of innovation and social responsibility.

Rachel’s visit reflects our continued investment in building global connections to support our clients in achieving their goals, whether in the UK, US, or beyond.

👉 You can download our US2U Consulting U.S. Service Sheet to explore how our tailored services could support your career or organisation. To arrange an exploratory conversation, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - we would love to discuss how we can make a positive difference for you.

Below are some of the photo highlights from Rachel's latest visit:

As an Export Champion, CEO of US2U Consulting Rachel Blackburn recently visited the British Embassy in Tokyo, Japan to meet with James Carter, Deputy Head of Trade. James is part of the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade.

In addition to discussing a specific requirement for one of our clients who is looking to do more business in the Japanese market, Rachel and James discussed general advice for businesses planning to sell products or services into Japan:

1. The Department for Business and Trade in Tokyo is structured around the UK industrial strategy and has sector specialists who can have informal discussions with UK business planning to export into the Japanese market.

2. The sector specialists offer a triage-type service which may include conducting desk research to understand the market and key players. In some cases they may be able to arrange meetings with potential customers to enable British businesses to understand if there is a good fit for their products and services.

3. The overall message is that doing business with Japan is achievable and it may be that more British businesses should consider this a priority for exporting.

4. As with most international business development, it will take time to build and nurture relationships prior to agree to do business. In Japan this may take a two year commitment before seeing a direct return on investment so British businesses may take a realistic and pragmatic approach, planning budgets and resource accordingly.

5. If new to the Japanese market, the focus should be to get the first Japanese client, build credibility and trust; this should then inspire other Japanese clients to trust you and your brand. As with any international business development it is helpful to research current cultural differences to be aware of.

6. The Japanese market is quite price-sensitive so businesses will need to present a competitive offering.

7. Japanese business people tend to be quite loyal once the trust has been built.

8. Once the contract has been agreed Japanese businesses usually pay in line with the terms and significant late payments are not usually an issue.

9. Key sectors with opportunities at the moment appear to be automotive and international education. Currently a growing opportunity is to provide Chinese students a British-style education in Japan.

10. In addition to the IS-8 sectors (financial services, professional services, life sciences, technology, creative, defence, clean energy and advanced manufacturing) there are opportunities in the market in areas such as international education, food & drink and commercial & retail products.

Please contact Rachel to discuss your international business development strategies in more detail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Department for Business and Trade resources to help you explore whether Japan could be right for your business include Expand in Japan and the International Markets Form | DBT's Export Support Service.

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO, Rachel Blackburn, attended the International Trade Week 2024 launch event in London, sponsored by Santander. It was an opportunity to meet Minister Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports and to hear him speak about the drive for business growth via the new UK industrial strategy "Invest 2035".

Rachel, pictured with Minister Thomas, said "As an Export Champion it is good to hear that the new government says it wants to support the export of services to boost SME exports and tear down any barriers to growth".

To discuss your business growth plans for 2025, please contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On 6th June 2024, BritishAmerican Business, in partnership with HSBC UK and Delta Air Lines & Virgin Atlantic, were delighted to welcome guests to the annual Transatlantic Growth Awards event in London to celebrate the organisations and growth stories that underpin the most successful bi-lateral trade and investment relationship globally.

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn was pleased to be in attendance and it was a poignant place to be as we discussed the special relationship between the two nations on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

We had the pleasure of hearing remarks from Laurie Farris, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of the United States of America, London, alongside TAG sponsors Cora McLaren, Managing Director - International Subsidiary Banking, UK, HSBC UK; Nadia Clinton, Regional Sales Manager UK and Ireland, Delta Air Lines; and Tom Maynard, Head of UK and Europe Sales, Virgin Atlantic.

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US2U Consulting Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn attended a fabulous BritishAmerican Business event held at Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge in London on 27 June 2024.

Rachel was pleased to visit the Director's Lounge at Stamford Bridge for the first time and meet former international football/soccer player Carly Telford, who is now Commercial Manager at Chelsea FC Women, who discussed her career in football.

"As always it is fascinating to be in a unique place meeting so many diverse people with so many interesting personal and business stories to tell" said Rachel.

As part of the US2U Consulting United States business development strategy, Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn and Consultant Kerwin Blackburn (pictured, main photo) recently spent a week in New York City. "It was great to see existing clients and contacts as well as meet new people to learn more about their businesses and explore opportunities together in the future" said Rachel.

Whilst Rachel and Kerwin were based in Manhattan, the trip included a visit to The Bronx. The New York visit was supported by BritishAmerican Business and included attending a UK Department of Business event for Women in Tech, a FinTech investor event, a cyber security event at the Hard Rock Hotel and an AI conference at Microsoft Head Office in Times Square.

It was interesting to learn about the great game of baseball from the legends Joe Torre and Carlos Pena at the Dell Technologies Forum (pictured below). There was also opportunity for a fun evening at the St. George's Society of New York pub quiz, appropriately held at The Churchill Tavern.

Kerwin Blackburn said "New York has always been a symbol of innovation, commerce and creativity, so it was great to be back on the ground there, connecting with familiar and new faces and understanding key trends and ambitions within the city and United States as we approach 2025."

Please take a look at our two-minute video which explains our Executive Coaching services for the U.S. market, below.

You can view & download our service sheet for the U.S. market here.

For more details about how we can assist your business success on either side of the pond, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for an exploratory conversation. Remember - we guarantee to make a positive difference.

We are pleased to announce that for the fourth consecutive year Rachel Blackburn, Founder and CEO of US2U Consulting, is the named person within our business to be an Export Champion. Rachel said "I am proud to be a Department for Business and Trade Export Champion since 2020."

Export Champions are a community of selected volunteers who have been appointed based on their experience and success in exporting. They encourage and inspire more UK businesses to trade internationally, largely via their own social media channels and by speaking at events. By sharing their own story and experiences, Export Champions help other companies realise there is a global demand for their products or services and if necessary help them navigate the challenges ahead and signpost to DBT support services.

It also adds to credibility when meeting potential new clients in the UK and overseas. US2U Consulting has exported its services to over ten countries around the world as it works with clients to create world class solutions for world class businesses.

Pictured is Rachel Blackburn bumping into another Export Champion, Gareth Lewis, Co-CEO of Delio based in Wales, at a recent St George's Society event in New York.

If you wish to discuss your exporting strategy with us, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn was pleased to attend the Australian Consulate General's annual diplomatic networking event in Times Square, New York recently. It was an informal event to get to know colleagues and make new connections within the New York consular, public diplomacy and trade community.

"It was so interesting to meet consular and trade people from around the world in such an iconic setting" said Rachel.