Services

Work is always interesting, frequently with a global footprint, and might have one of the following three themes:

Research – for example: to gain new insights; test ideas and technologies; to model economic costs; or to identify reform opportunities
Mentoring, education and training – for example by: helping businesses work out how to be compliant; exploring with officials and their stakeholders (public and private) how significant economic and societal benefits can be achieved through trade facilitation; or developing and delivering innovative training solutions
Project support – for example by: assisting programme and project managers with the implementation of trade facilitation measures; or conducting impact assessments and project evaluations.

Occasionally we also offer short courses that can be booked directly from us. This includes a trade facilitation masterclass (1.5 days), a customs and trade compliance “crash course” (1 day or 2 half days), and a supply chain masterclass for public and private sector border professionals (1 day or 2 half days).

Topical themes that have dominated recent activities include:

Effective public private partnership, stakeholder management, and business consultation
Impact studies, reviews and assessments
Trade and customs training for trade officials, executives, SME business owners, and university students
Single Windows, electronic trade and customs solutions, trade information portals
The assessment of trade compliance costs and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Economic modelling of non-tariff measures and their impact on food and agricultural supply chains
Port and border resilience simulations and contingency planning
UK Freeports
Online training solutions
The draft of trade policy and blueprint instruments
BREXIT
Academic research, writing and supervision
Peer review and mentoring
National Trade Facilitation Committees

Outputs frequently include detailed research reports and publications, expert commentary, and training materials. We are particularly proud of Prof Dr Andrew Grainger’s seminal textbook “Cross-Border Logistics Operations: Effective Trade Facilitation and Border Management“. Much of his work has also been published in leading journals and can be accessed via google scholar and ResearchGate.