Export boost for UK small business highlighted on PM’s historic trade visit to India | Wales Online

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s trade mission to Mumbai, hosted alongside India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has put small business exports at the forefront of UK-India relations. Building on a landmark trade deal announced earlier this summer, the visit aimed to unlock new routes to market for Britain’s 5.6 million small firms—bringing fresh momentum to international growth and collaboration.

Why it matters

Small businesses account for 99% of UK firms and around half of private sector turnover, yet most still do not sell overseas. Government figures from 2024 show only 22% currently export, and among those trading internationally, just 12% export to India. With India’s rapidly expanding economy and deepening ties to the UK, the delegation sought to accelerate export participation and widen access to high-growth markets.

The Great British Pitch: a new launchpad for exports

As part of International Trade Week, the Great British Pitch will take place on 5 November at BT’s London headquarters. More than 100 export-ready small businesses—spanning technology, food and drink, and the creative industries—will receive tailored training and coaching before pitching live to a global audience of international buyers, trade specialists, and investors.

The format is designed to convert opportunity into action:

• Expert-led coaching to sharpen export propositions
• Live-streamed pitches reaching multiple international markets simultaneously
• Direct engagement with potential buyers and investors
• Practical guidance on compliance, routes to market, and scaling

Backed by business leaders and government

The initiative is supported by Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO of Small Business Britain, and Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive of BT Group—both serving as advisers to the UK Government’s Board of Trade and part of the delegation to India. The UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade is also backing the event, aligning with plans to fuel growth through entrepreneurship, innovation, and global trade.

Stronger UK-India ties at the core

Delegation members highlighted the scale of the opportunity presented by closer UK-India collaboration. They pointed to India’s role as a global tech hub, the strength of the UK’s innovation ecosystem, and the potential for partnerships in digital services, creative industries, and advanced manufacturing. The Great British Pitch aims to operationalize these opportunities by connecting ready-to-export firms with decision-makers in India and beyond.

What leaders are saying

Michelle Ovens emphasized the potential for small firms to fast-track their export journey under the new UK-India trade framework, noting that the Great British Pitch is designed to spark real partnerships and deals. She underscored the importance of practical, hands-on support to help entrepreneurs convert interest into international sales.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that small businesses are central to the UK’s growth plan. He stressed the government’s commitment to helping entrepreneurs scale globally and to turning innovative British ideas into export success stories.

Allison Kirkby highlighted India’s importance to both BT and the UK economy, pointing to collaboration, innovation, and digital skills as key drivers of growth. She also noted that with cyber threats on the rise, the initiative will offer guidance to help small firms protect themselves as they expand into new markets.

Small business perspective

For entrepreneurs, the opportunity is tangible. Hepsie Goddin, co-founder of Martha and Hepsie Ltd. in Sheffield and Devon, said the November event offers a powerful springboard. While acknowledging that exporting has its challenges, she expressed confidence in the global appeal of British-made products and called the initiative a vital step in breaking down barriers to international growth.

What to watch next

With the UK-India trade relationship deepening, the coming months will test how effectively small businesses can translate diplomatic progress into commercial wins. The Great British Pitch aims to provide a clear pathway: targeted preparation, direct access to buyers, and support across legal, digital, and security hurdles. If successful, it could help lift the UK’s small business export rate and significantly grow the number of firms trading with India.

For many of the UK’s most innovative small companies, this moment represents a chance to look beyond domestic markets, unlock new demand, and build resilient, internationally focused businesses—turning the momentum of a historic trade visit into long-term economic impact.