Date and Time

Tuesday, March 19, 2024
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

location

Lobby Training Room
World Trade Center at City Creek

Cost

Free; Registration required

Exploring your U.K. expansion 

Since Governor Cox signed a MOU with the U.K. last summer to increase trade, Utah has benefited from a mini-British invasion welcoming Baroness Emma Nicholson and U.K. Trade Commissioner to North America Emma Wade-Smith. As a result, opportunities with Utah’s top export market continue to rapidly arise — and we want to ensure businesses throughout the state are prepared to capitalize on them.  

Utah companies considering an expansion into the U.K. and EU joined us along with Blick Rothenberg and Taylor Wessing for a Global Gateway event on Tuesday, March 19.

Participants will received practical solutions to challenges they may face and insights on how to execute a successful expansion into the market.

Please email Rayanne Riepl with any questions: rriepl@wtcutah.com.

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Here, There and Everywhere  
As the second largest economy in Europe, the U.K. acts as gateway to the rest of the region.  

While the U.K. has long been a bustling hub for international commerce, it is making a renewed effort to be open for business with the U.S. and states like Utah, specifically in the post-Brexit economy. 

What’s more, as a part of the joint U.S.-UK Atlantic Declaration, the U.K. announced its renewed commitment to develop and invest in critical and emerging industries alongside the U.S., including AI, R&D, expansion of green energy infrastructure, and ensuring the continued security across data, health, and defense sectors.  

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Panelists

david bates

Partner, Taylor Wessing

David co-heads the Taylor Wessing business office in San Francisco and has over 20 years' experience in international mergers & acquisitions, venture capital investments, joint ventures, and other complex corporate & commercial transactions in the technology sector.

David concentrates on advising US clients in their time-zone and in assisting them on their M&A activity, investments and expansion plans to the UK. Additionally, David co-ordinates the advice of members of our international teams to our US clients across the breadth of sectors and geographies in which we operate.

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Simon Gleeson

Partner, Blick Rothenberg

Simon Gleeson co-leads Blick Rothenberg’s US practice team, advising companies on options and best practices for expanding internationally and explaining all requirements and considerations for compliance, hiring talent and any required accounting support. With over 25 years’ experience, Simon has worked closely with many Utah-headquartered companies entering new markets in the UK, Europe, Middle-East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Simon works on a variety of projects which range from supporting early-stage start-up clients looking to sell internationally, setting up operations, local partnership and hiring key personnel, and supporting overseas customers to increase sales. Blick Rothenberg has a close affiliation with the state, supporting World Trade Center and working closely with local firms, such as Tanner, to support mutual clients. Simon also supported Governor Spencer Cox’s trade mission to the UK in 2023 to sign a new trade memorandum of understanding and invest in Utah initiative.

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Adam Wardel

Special Counsel & Business Development

Adam has over 12 years experience working in a variety of legal and operations leadership roles in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. During this time, he was responsible for corporate vision and strategy, legal and regulatory compliance, employment, and operations of foreign subsidiaries.

He now advises other companies on how to achieve their own growth and international expansion ambitions, addressing issues including strategic vision, timing, regulatory analysis, as well as understanding the global personal and business culture and compliance requirements. He finds himself very privileged to have served as general counsel and chief legal officer to companies that vary from pre-seed to series C funded, as well as charities and not-for-profit organizations.

Adam is married with two imperfect children and a perfect wife. He spends every moment available traveling.

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