UK Trade and Investment in the North-East has appointed an international trade advisor to help Tees Valley businesses make the most of opportunities abroad.

JOHN HOLMES-CARRINGTON, 33, of Norton, near Stockton, will be using his experience of working in sales overseas to help companies find markets abroad for their products and services.

This will include helping companies to develop export plans, assessing and advising on how to exploit the potential for products and services overseas and helping companies to develop and managing their portfolio or clients. He said: "The North-East already has a strong record in exporting a wide range of goods and services, with exports topping £10bn last year, and companies in the Tees Valley area played a part in that success.

"Obviously, this area has a strong background in the chemical industry and we are among the world leaders in this field and I am hoping to help more companies, in more industry sectors to achieve overseas success for themselves and the region as a whole."

From York, Mr Holmes-Carrington has worked abroad during the past seven years.