A SECOND major business partnership has been launched by overseas trade specialist Chamber International.

This time, the new partnership with Resolve, aims to improve how UK companies can access North American markets.

It follows an announcement by Bradford-based Chamber International in the summer of a link-up with British Centres For Business in Dubai, to help companies trade more effectively with the Middle East.

The deal with Resolve, a 12-strong team of export specialists, sales agents, business advisers and marketeers, based in North Yorkshire and Charlotte, North Carolina, will support growing UK interest in North America in the wake of Brexit.

Under the latest partnership, Resolve, founded in 2006 by managing director, Mark Ashton, will work alongside Chamber International, which offers a wide range of export advice, trade services and overseas networks, to provide comprehensive support to businesses targeting North America.

Resolve offers a wide spectrum of services including bespoke market research, matchmaking with partners, fundraising and export grant applications; developing export strategies, and operational and administrative support, including business incubator services.

Mark Ashton, based in Skipton, said: “Together we can offer bespoke support services with outstanding value for money, healthy independence and objectivity, direct market access via our trusted relationships in North America and, crucially, the ability to minimise the risks and enhance the benefits."

He added: “Many UK companies have come a cropper in the US by seriously underestimating the challenges and pitfalls. The 50 states have different regulations, sales tax regimes and investment incentives."

In the last 12 months Resolve has advised six Yorkshire-based companies on US market entry, two of which were introduced by Chamber International.

Chamber International director, Tim Bailey, said: “Our enquiries from businesses wishing to target the US are rising. The US is set to become a far more significant market post-Brexit but it is a vast and hugely complex nation.

“Regardless of any future trade deals, partnering with a like-minded, dynamic and entrepreneurial organisation such as Resolve here and in Charlotte strengthens our support and contacts considerably to help businesses approach the US with greater knowledge and reduced risks.”