Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what reasons UK Export Finance does not have export finance managers based in every region of the UK; and if he will make it his policy to employ such managers in every region.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) currently has a network of 22 Export Finance Managers (EFMs) who cover all regions of the UK. No regions are overlooked. In some cases, an EFM whose physical office is located in one region will also provide full coverage for a neighbouring region. In January 2017, this network will be enhanced by the recruitment of an additional Senior Export Finance Manager, providing further support to exporters and businesses located across the North of England.

EFMs play an important role in fulfilling UKEF’s mission that no viable export fails for want of finance or insurance from the private sector. EFMs act as local points of contact to introduce exporters and businesses with export potential to finance providers, credit insurers, insurance brokers, trade support bodies and sources of government support (including support provided by UKEF itself).

UKEF publishes the names and contact details of its EFMs on its website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager