For many organisations, international trade has become increasingly complex, with businesses having to navigate changing regulations, supply chain pressures, customs requirements and growing expectations around compliance. So what does a modern trade function actually look like?
That was the focus of our Executive Panel, Leading the Modern Trade Function, which brought together four experienced voices from across the trade profession: John Whelan, International Trade Consultant, Ireland; Alfredo Motty, International Trade Expert at Octapharma, Switzerland; Colm Halpin, Customs and Trade Expert, Ireland; and Nikolai Masoni, Trade Compliance Specialist, UK.
The discussion explored how leading organisations are responding to a more demanding global trading environment, and what this means for the people responsible for managing trade within their organisations. A modern trade function increasingly needs to look beyond individual transactions. It needs to understand the wider business, anticipate change and bring together customs, compliance, supply chain and commercial considerations.
That also means thinking differently about the role of the trade professional. Technical knowledge remains essential, but so too are the ability to influence, communicate and make sound decisions in an environment where the rules and risks are constantly evolving. For organisations operating internationally, the challenge is clear: how do you build a trade function that is ready for what comes next, rather than simply keeping up with what is happening today?
That question sits at the heart of the modern trade profession.
Thank you to our international executive panel for leaving us with lots of ideas to explore in our own trade teams.
