Nationwide roadshow arrives in Oxford to boost exports in the life sciences sector

Small business exporters will be front and centre of a new roadshow in Oxford offering tailored government support to get more SMEs exporting across the life sciences sector.

The Made in the UK, Sold to the World roadshow events offer SMEs the opportunity to directly connect with Commercial Officers, international buyers, Export Champions and International Trade Advisers (ITAs) to get advice, support, and discuss real export opportunities, through one-to-one meetings to help them start up, scale up and succeed.

This will include how these firms can take advantage of the recent trade announcements with India, the US, and the EU, amongst other opportunities.

The Commercial Officers and international buyers present at the event span markets from around the world, from China, Vietnam, and Qatar, to the USA, Brazil, and Ecuador.

Each roadshow taking place is focused on one of the eight key growth driving sectors identified in the UK's modern Industrial Strategy.

The ambition is to channel government support to sectors with the highest potential to create jobs, boost productivity and grow the economy. All of which will help deliver the Plan for Change to put more money in more working people’s pockets.

Gareth Thomas, Minister for Small Businesses and Exports, said:

“The South of England, and in particular the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, is home to a great range of innovative and thriving businesses in the life sciences sector.

“The UK has huge exporting potential in this area, and we’re determined to ensure businesses have the support they need to maximise opportunities through our Modern Industrial Strategy, to create good jobs with high wages, raise productivity and boost the economy as part of our Plan for Change.

The Life Sciences sector is a UK export powerhouse. In 2024, the sector exported around £27 billion goods, comprising around £23 billion in pharmaceutical products and around £4 billion medical technologies.

But businesses, and in particular small businesses, have the potential to export even more.

The roadshow takes place the same day the Government is launching their bold new Life Sciences Sector plan to harness the best of British science and innovation, doubling down on the strength of the sector to deliver long-term economic growth.

Among others on hand to offer expert support to SME exporters at the event will be Export Champion David Heathcote. David is the Regional Manager across Europe at Paxman Scalp Cooling, the UK pioneers in scalp cooling medical technology to help prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Currently Paxman export to 65 markets around the world.

David Heathcote, Regional Manager across Europe at Paxman, said:

“In my previous role in a small business and now with Paxman, exporting has been critical to our growth and innovation. International trade has helped build and diversify revenue streams, build resilience, and reduce risk. Working with different cultures and international teams also challenges our thinking and helps us to me more innovative and creative - which presents exciting new opportunities.

“In every step of my export journey, I have been privileged to benefit from the support of our DBT International Trade Advisors and their introductions to trade teams in Embassies around the world, who have helped open doors and to grow in each market.

Business who export, grow even faster, which is why this Government is determined to get even more small firms on the exporting ladder.

In March, the Department of Business and Trade relaunched the Board of Trade, to help businesses, and in particular the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, boost their exports. 

And in June, the Trade Strategy was launched, which sets out the Government’s approach to maximising trade opportunities, which includes improving how SMEs use trade agreements to build new strategic alliances, and strengthen the position to trade in the innovative sectors of the future.

More information can be found on the roadshow website: Made in the UK Sold to the World Roadshows