In addition to his current role at the South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC), John Hall has been made a ‘Regional Champion’ for Turkey and will be bringing his knowledge of the market to businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber. 

Regional Champions are a new role created by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) which is appointing specialists in a number of emerging markets to raise awareness of overseas opportunities – and John has been announced as one of the chosen few. 

John gathered a wealth of experience of the Turkish market thanks to trading there as a businessman prior to joining the SYITC. He has also worked on Turkish projects in the past since starting at the SYITC - an operating division of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce which provides essential international trade related services including expert advice, market information, research and grant support.

Said John: “The regional champions will effectively be acting as a conduit for businesses – gathering information or helping to co-ordinate regional events to promote these emerging markets.”

Other regional champions across the region will take the lead on countries including Brazil, Mexico and Russia. Sheffield Chamber has strong links with Turkey. Past chamber projects have included helping Adana Chambers of Commerce establish the first international trade forum in its history and a Eurochambres contract where the business support organisation shared its expertise with four Turkish chambers to develop an East Mediterranean Foreign Trade Centre.

Added John: “Turkey is a country which offers a lot of opportunities and UK exporters can enjoy a relatively easy trading relationship there.

“Turkey has done remarkably well in terms of getting its inflation down to single figures and economically the Government there has made enormous strides. “I’m very much looking forward to the new role.”

The South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC) is supported by a three year £7.41million funding package issued jointly by Yorkshire Forward, the European Regional Development Fund and UK Trade and Investment under contract with Business Link South Yorkshire.