techUK’s Market Access Brief: International Opportunities for tech companies
See upcoming events, opportunities, news, and updates from techUK's International Trade Programme…
Welcome to the latest Market Access Brief insight. This is a new fortnightly insight which focuses on the events, opportunities, trade missions, as well as wider updates that we have within the techUK International programme and from our members and stakeholders.
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Separately, we wanted to note that if you are a techUK member, you are entitled to advertising events, updates, and opportunities to our wider network of members, prospects, and stakeholders, through this newsletter. To do this, please email [email protected].
techUK invites members to join our 2026 Cyber Resilience Delegation to Brussels. This delegation is an opportunity to build relationships directly with senior EU policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders who are shaping the future of cyber regulation and digital security across Europe. With the EU's cyber regulatory framework evolving rapidly – including implementation of NIS2, the Cyber Resilience Act, ongoing work under ENISA, and the recently announced European Technology Sovereignty Package this visit will provide valuable context and access for UK cyber and tech businesses navigating the European landscape. Find out more & sign up here.
techUK invites members to join our delegation to the tenth US-UK SME Dialogue in Cardiff. Convened by the Department for Business and Trade alongside USTR, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Dialogue is an opportunity to connect directly with US and UK policymakers and with SMEs shaping transatlantic tech and trade. With both governments looking to advance the Technology Prosperity Deal and Economic Prosperity Deal - covering digital trade, AI governance and tech regulation - this visit will provide valuable context and access for UK tech businesses navigating the US landscape. Find out more & sign up here.
techUK invites members to join our delegation to Geneva from 14-17 September for the WTO’s Public Forum and World Tech and Trade Day.
The WTO Public Forum gathers over 2,000 representatives of civil society, academia, business, government, international organisations and media to Geneva to discuss the latest developments in global trade. The Public Forum’s focus theme this year is Trade in Services, while the World Tech and Trade Day taking place on the 14th is focused on AI and Trade: Turning Potential into Progress. These events and the delegation are free to attend, find out more and sign up here.
Following the success of techUK’s delegation to the 2025 G7 in Ottawa, we are delighted to announce we will be repeating the delegation to Canada’s capital city from 22-24 September 2026. The delegation is a fantastic opportunity for techUK members to engage directly with the Canadian Government, explore commercial opportunities, and build relationships with Canadian companies and stakeholders. This delegation costs £500 for members and £750 for non-members to attend. You can find out more and sign up here.
techUK is offering the chance for members and select non-members to join a techUK delegation to Lviv, Ukraine for the IT Arena tech conference as well as meetings with the Ukrainian Government and Ukrainian tech companies. IT Arena is Ukraine’s biggest tech conference which covers several technology verticals including defence-technology. The delegation will take place between September 24-28, with the tech conference taking place on 25-27 September. Find out more and express your interest here.
techUK Financial Services Delegation to Zurich will strengthen UK–Swiss commercial and regulatory ties, create market access opportunities, and connect members with key Swiss institutions, companies, regulators, and policymakers. The delegation is designed for companies operating in Financial Services and Cloud, and is suitable for companies working in Artificial Intelligence; Digital Assets; or who wish to expand their operations into Switzerland. This delegation costs £250 for members and £500 for non-members to attend. You can find out more and register your interest here.
techUK is pleased to invite members to attend our defence delegation to Berlin for Bitkom’s DefTech Day and to Brussels. The delegation is a significant opportunity for defence tech companies, especially startups and scaleups, to engage directly with policymakers in Germany and Belgium, including EU and NATO representatives. It also aims to help cultivate commercial opportunities and build relationships with other DefTech companies and stakeholders. This delegation costs £500 for members and £750 for non-members to attend. You can find out more and sign up here.
techUK is offering the chance for members and select non-members to join a techUK delegation to Tokyo, Japan for the CEATEC tech conference as well as meetings with the Japanese Government and Japanese tech companies between 13th - 16th October 2026. While CEATEC is a free conference, techUK delegates will secure exclusive access to the first day (13th October), which is invite-only, and will include a reception with VIPs, government dignitaries, ambassadors, and exhibitor executives. Find out more and sign-up here.
techUK, in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and Tradefair, is offering UK tech companies an exclusive opportunity to exhibit on the UK Pavilion at GITEX GLOBAL 2026 - the world's most prominent technology event - taking place in Dubai from 7–11 December. Securing a place on the Pavilion means joining techUK's delegation to GITEX Global, giving your company a prime platform to build commercial connections, understand regional market dynamics, and raise their profile in one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies. Find out more and express your interest here.
techUK invites members to join our December visit to Strasbourg. This delegation is an opportunity to engage directly with Members of the European Parliament and other key stakeholders shaping the EU's approach to technology and defence policy. Against the backdrop of the evolving UK-EU relationship, the agenda will offer strategic insight into the regulatory and political environment for tech and defence firms operating in the EU, and direct dialogue with MEPs on sector priorities and opportunities. Find out more & sign up here.
External events, opportunities, and trade missions
Pagefield and their US partners FTP are producing a paper on US-UK collaboration on AI and technology, building on a recent roundtable on transatlantic trade and investment, and are looking for industry input. The paper will also examine the scope for widening collaboration to other trusted partners. Contributions can be made anonymously under Chatham House rules, or attributed to you and your organisation. The authors are interested in views on where the biggest commercial and research opportunities lie, what the main political, commercial and technical blockers are, and how allies can be brought into these discussions given concerns over AI sovereignty and national security. Members who would like to contribute should contact John Alty by 28 August.
Join the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation & officials from across government for our interactive workshop designed to help you navigate the complex trade sanctions landscape. The workshop will aim to help you understand sanctions responsibilities through clear, practical guidance on compliance, how to avoid accidental breaches and will help shape future support for businesses by sharing feedback on the support you need to manage sanctions effectively. Find out more and sign up here.
Wave by Vento returns to Turin from 7–9 October, bringing together founders, investors and corporates from across Europe. While the full agenda goes live in September, the macro-themes are confirmed: day one covers technology and culture alongside the state of the Italian tech ecosystem; day two moves from AI to physical AI, with a read on the wider European ecosystem; and day three looks at intelligence as a resource and the future of tech. techUK members can claim 15% off passes with the code TECHUK-WAVE15, which stacks on top of Wave's group rates (10% for 5+, 15% for 10+, 20% for 20+ passes). Early Bird pricing starts at €173+VAT for a startup pass, rising to €375 general, €525 investor and €675 VIP.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is delighted to announce a Digital, Immersive & Retail tech mission to New York City for the NRF Big Show 2027. UK retail, digital commerce, immersive tech businesses will have the opportunity to join DBT’s trade mission to New York City, from 9th to 12th January 2027 and showcase on the UK Pavilion at NRF’s Big Show. This mission is aimed at supporting UK companies in the retail tech space looking for growth opportunities to the USA selling to stockists and suppliers in the retail ecosystem (including but not limited to solution innovators, AI startups, digital and immersive tech providers). Find out more & register here.
Organised by ZEBOX , the incubator of French transport and logistics group CMA CGM, the initiative was designed to identify and support the most promising startups addressing key industry challenges in transport, logistics, and media. This program aims to spotlight 50 high-potential startups and give them the opportunity to collaborate with the Group, access strategic support, and gain international visibility through the ZEBOX ecosystem.
The Metropolitan Government of Tokyo has launched a ‘Deep Tech Launchpad’ to encourage companies to expand to Japan and partner with local companies. The scheme is designed to support the Tokyo deep tech ecosystem. The Launch Pad includes subsidies covering 80% of expenses in the first year, relocation and translation support for companies who wish to expand into Tokyo, and the promise that the local government and local companies will maintain ongoing partnerships with those companies that go to Japan. The deadline for initial applications is the 30 September. You can find out more, including conditions of the scheme, on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website.
Mexico has now ratified the UK’s accession to CPTPP meaning the UK will be able to access CPTPP provisions with Mexico from 22 June 2026. Mexico is the UK’s second largest trading partner in Latin America, with significant opportunities for UK businesses. CPTPP builds on the UK–Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement by improving market access through reduced tariffs and greater services market access, while offering greater certainty through clear and modern digital trading rules, helping UK businesses operate and expand in the Mexican market with confidence. To support businesses in making the most of these new CPTPP opportunities, the Department for Business and Trade have published a range of guides on the Mexico market page.
Research shows that 73% of businesses are optimistic about growing internationally over the next 3 years, but they often face challenges, including difficulty finding verified local partners and a lack of clarity around local regulations.
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The Tallinn Mechanism has launched the TM Platform, a new portal providing information on cyber delivery opportunities and collaboration in support of Ukraine’s civilian cyber resilience. Cyber companies can register to access tenders and partnership opportunities, with a dedicated webinar available for the UK sector to outline how to engage. Find out more here.
While Japan was at the forefront of quantum computing in the late 1990s, it has fallen behind in recent years and the Japanese government is now investing heavily to catch up. This is creating significant opportunities for UK firms specialising in quantum computing hardware, software and services to work with Japanese companies to bridge the gap between where quantum computing is today and real-world commercial applications. This report details these opportunities, recommends market entry strategies and covers different viable business models, all illustrated by high-value case studies and testimonials from in-market players. Click here to read the report.
Understanding how to manage your local talent is a crucial part of setting up shop in a new country and securing mid-to-long-term growth. In Asia, even experienced team builders often run into unexpected issues. Intralink invited experts in talent attraction and executive search from across Asia to advise you – talking Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Watch the skills workshop here.
Horizon Europe is the world’s largest research and innovation programme running from 2021 until 2027, providing over £80 billion in funding to address some of the greatest global challenges. It supports groundbreaking ideas across various fields, from curing diseases to safeguarding cultural heritage. Horizon Europe offers a unique chance for cross-border collaboration, expanding the UK’s research connections, access to funding, networks, and global talent. Check out the hub here.
techUK member Hawksford are pleased to announce the launch of their new eBook, ‘Doing business in the UK’. This publication provides an overview of what you need to know when considering doing business in the UK, including the fundamentals of investing, from setting up a company in particular jurisdictions to successfully running a business. Click here to read.
If you would like to put events, opportunities, or updates in this newsletter insight, and you are a techUK member or stakeholder, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].
Daniel Clarke
Senior Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Senior Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
Tess is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK. She joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supported areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
techUK's Policy and Public Affairs Programme activities
techUK helps our members understand, engage and influence the development of digital and tech policy in the UK and beyond. We support our members to understand some of the most complex and thorny policy questions that confront our sector. Visit the programme page here.
Industrial Strategy One Year On: Reviewing the Digital & Tech Sector Plan
Join us on 16 July, 13:00–14:30, as techUK convenes a roundtable with a senior government representative from DSIT or DBT and tech sector leaders to review the Government's Digital & Tech Sector Plan, one year on from its publication.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013.
Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.
Associate Director - Skills & Talent Policy, techUK
Nimmi Patel
Associate Director - Skills & Talent Policy, techUK
Nimmi Patel is the Associate Director - Skills & Talent Policy at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. She is a member of the UK government's Digital Skills Council, an external advisory body within the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), which provides expert advice and fosters collaboration to address the UK’s evolving digital skills needs and ensure the workforce is equipped for the digital economy. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre’s research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers, and governments.
Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She also took part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme and is the Education and Skills Policy Co-lead for Labour in Communications.
Doniya Soni-Clark is Associate Director of External Affairs at techUK, where she leads the organisation's relationships with key political stakeholders and ensures the voice of the UK tech sector is heard loud and clear - in Westminster, Whitehall, and beyond. She is responsible for shaping techUK's political engagement strategy and representing members' interests to media, translating complex tech policy into compelling narratives that cut through.
With a career spanning public affairs, public policy, and industry advocacy, Doniya brings a combination of political instinct and policy depth. She began her career at Westbourne Communications before joining techUK in 2015 as Policy Manager for Skills — her first stint at the organisation. She then moved to the Greater London Authority as Principal Policy Officer, before spending seven years at Multiverse, the fast-growing British Edtech scale-up, as Head of Policy and Public Affairs. Her return to techUK brings that experience full-circle.
Doniya is a committed advocate for the UK's tech ecosystem and understands what it takes to grow a business in a complex regulatory and political environment - having lived it from the inside.
Doniya holds an MSc in Public Policy from the London School of Economics and a BA in Economics & Politics from the University of Exeter.
Tom McGee is Associate Director for Government Affairs, with a particular focus on techUK’s Digital Economy workstream and Nations & Regions programme.
Tom joined techUK in 2026 from the OECD’s Science, Technology & Innovation Directorate, where he specialised in semiconductors policy, providing analysis and recommendations on industrial policy and supply chain resilience to the OECD’s member countries and partner economies. Tom also has considerable experience in the UK Civil Service, as a Senior Policy Advisor (at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Cabinet Office) and Ministerial Private Secretary (Department for Education).
Tom holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University, where his studies were generously funded by the Knox Memorial Fellowship. His Master’s thesis – on AI chips and industrial policy – was awarded the Harvard Kennedy School’s top prize for outstanding policy analysis. Tom also holds a BA from the University of Cambridge.
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes scale-up and entrepreneurship policy, industrial policy, innovation and tech adoption. He also leads techUK's policy development process around major fiscal events such as the Autumn Budget, working closely with teams across the organisation.
Prior to joining techUK in 2024, he worked as a DCMS civil servant covering parliamentary process, and spent a time as a public affairs consultant.
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.
With over seven years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Jake has been the Policy Manager for Skills and Future of Work since May 2022, supporting techUK's work to empower the UK to skill, attract and retain the brightest global talent, and prepare for the digital transformations of the future workplace.
Previously, Jake was the Programme Assistant for Policy. He joined techUK in March 2019 and has also worked across the EU Exit, International Trade, and Cloud, Data Analytics and AI programmes.
He also holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Sussex, as well as a BA(Hons) in International Politics from Aberystwyth University. During his time at Aberystwyth University, he won the International Politics Dissertation Prize.
Dani joined techUK in February 2025 as a Policy Manager in the Digital Regulation team.
Prior to this, Dani worked in political monitoring where she was a consultant for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In this role, she developed a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure, closely following all of the major developments in the tech centre and working with several key stakeholders and regulators.
She has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Bristol and an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge.
Outside of tech, Dani has a strong interest in addiction policy, particularly towards drugs, having written her dissertation on the topic as well as several subsequent research projects. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and following all things motoring, whether that be F1, MotoGP or Formula E.
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke Newcombe
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke joined techUK in September 2025 as a Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions.
Luke works closely with members and stakeholders across industry and government at local, regional and national levels to support collaboration, drive innovation and strengthen tech-enabled public services. His work supports the development of strong local and regional tech economies by helping organisations to engage with public sector challenges, explore emerging technologies and build impactful partnerships.
Prior to joining techUK, Luke worked at Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s export development agency. He began by advising SMEs on export strategy to the UK and later focused on connecting Irish businesses with multinational organisations to foster strategic partnerships, drive international growth and support economic development.
Luke holds an MSc in Political Economy from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Oliver is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK, working across Public Affairs and Digital Regulation policy. He supports the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament, contributes to shaping techUK’s regulatory agenda, and plays a key role in coordinating political outreach, policy projects, and flagship events.
He joined techUK in November 2023 as a Team Assistant to the Policy and Public Affairs team, before stepping into his current role. He has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the tech sector’s voice is heard in the policymaking process.
Oliver holds a Master’s in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and a BSc in Policy from Swansea University. During his studies, he contributed to mental health research as a Student Research Assistant for the SMaRteN network.
Outside of work, Oliver is a keen debater and remains active in the UK debating community, having previously led the Swansea University Debating Union. He enjoys exploring complex issues from multiple perspectives and values clear, thoughtful communication in policy discussions.
Tess is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK. She joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supported areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Senior Policy Manager - International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
