Message from British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA

Message from the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)

BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association covering the entirety of the UK educational suppliers sector. It operates on a not-for-profit basis, and is accountable to an Executive Council that is elected by member companies. It has an 85-year heritage serving the UK education sector, and represents almost 400 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and EdTech to the education market. Combined, BESA’s members constitute around 80% of the market in terms of the amount spent by UK schools on products and services. BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education suppliers industry. BESA is focused on promoting and providing support and advice to their members, the industry and to schools. Committed to helping members find strong channels to market BESA works closely with the British Government’s Department for International Trade to help introduce British education companies to a wide range of important export markets, from the US to Malaysia, Hong Kong and China, providing intelligence briefings, logistical support and networking opportunities. BESA has a Code of Practice - https://

www.besa.org.uk/code-of-practice/

- to which all members must adhere, along with a stringent membership process, both of which assure schools of a high standard of quality in both product and customer service. Schools know that BESA members can be trusted.

For more information about membership with BESA or details on how to join visit -

https://www.besa.org.uk/join-now/ Caroline Wright

Director General of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)

Introduction to UK Department for International Trade (DIT)

The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our economy. DIT has responsibility for developing, coordinating and delivering a new trade and investment policy to promote UK business across the globe. DIT offers expertise and contacts through a network of international specialists throughout the UK, and in British Embassies and other diplomatic posts around the world. We can assist at all stages of the business planning cycle, from inception to completion. DIT in Hong Kong helps companies in Britain increase their competitiveness through overseas trade in Hong Kong and Macao. We also offer professional, authoritative and personalised assistance to help companies in Hong Kong locate and expand in the UK. For an overview of what DIT does to foster companies’ growth please visit: www.gov.uk/dit If you are searching for UK business and education partners, be sure to talk to the Regional DIT teams at the Learning & Teaching Expo.