Peak District brewer in the running for top business exports award

Hope Valley's pioneering beer maker Intrepid Brewing has been nominated for an award recognising the potential for growing business exports.
Intrepid Brewing directors Paul Towers, Rebecca McIntyre and Ben McIntyre are ready to go global.Intrepid Brewing directors Paul Towers, Rebecca McIntyre and Ben McIntyre are ready to go global.
Intrepid Brewing directors Paul Towers, Rebecca McIntyre and Ben McIntyre are ready to go global.

Intrepid Brewing is one of ten exciting British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who have been shortlisted for the inaugural Open to Export competition.

The initiative has been set up by the government to promote digital routes towards boosting the UK’s SME exports.

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Each of the ten companies, narrowed from 400, will present an action plan, created using the innovative Open to Export digital planning tool, to a panel of expert judges for the chance to win £3,000 funding and support for their international growth.

Intrepid Brewing’s co-founder and director Rebecca McIntyre explained: “In 2012, the UK beer export market was valued at £570m. This fact alone makes the case for companies like ours to explore export as part of our growth strategy.

“The action plan has been an excellent and easy resource to get us started. It’s tremendous to be shortlisted and we’re looking forward to presenting our vision and plan at the competition.”

Though it only employs three people, the company now produces four beers - a blonde, IPA, porter and oaked brown - stocked at pubs across the region.

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In the Open to Export competition, they will be up against candle-makers, educational gift-makers, app makers and tool distributors all with their own ideas about taking on global markets.

The Export Action Plan is the latest addition to UK Trade and Investment’s online portal, which is dedicated to helping new and inexperienced businesses prepare to sell overseas by giving them free access to online information, support and advice.

Using the tool allows businesses to take ownership of their export strategies, making decisions along each step of their international trade journey - from selecting a market to delivering products or services to new customers.

For more details, and the chance to try out the service, visit www.opentoexport.com.

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