At the International Trade Institute, we’re proud to spotlight professionals who are shaping the future of trade compliance and governance. This month, we caught up with David Murray, Head of International Trade Compliance & Governance at An Post, Ireland’s national postal and logistics service provider.
David oversees An Post’s international trade activities, ensuring they are conducted lawfully, ethically, and efficiently all while balancing compliance with commercial agility.
“My role involves staying ahead of regulatory developments and ensuring that we can respond quickly and effectively. Balancing compliance with efficiency is a constant challenge, especially when dealing with differing interpretations across Member States, fragmented systems, and short lead-in times for policy changes.”
With deep expertise spanning international trade, governance, and logistics, David has contributed to key national and EU-level initiatives in e-commerce, customs simplification, and trade facilitation. His work sits at the intersection of regulation and innovation; an area becoming increasingly strategic as global trade becomes more digital and interconnected.
“Compliance is no longer just a back-office function; it’s a strategic enabler. It affects everything from how we price, label, and clear goods to how we build trust with international partners and regulators.”
For David, the dynamic nature of international trade from evolving VAT and customs rules to new EU trade frameworks means agility and foresight are critical. His team’s goal is to ensure An Post continues to support Irish consumers and exporters, even as the regulatory landscape shifts.
To strengthen his technical and strategic capabilities, David completed the Professional Diploma in International Trade with the International Trade Institute and Glasgow Caledonian University.
“Given the dynamic and complex nature of international trade, I chose the diploma to deepen my technical knowledge and stay ahead of regulatory and policy developments. It provided valuable insight into international best practices and policy direction - essential for making informed, forward-looking decisions.”
The impact of the diploma has been both immediate and lasting.
“It’s strengthened my ability to engage with complex trade compliance challenges and enhanced my confidence when engaging with stakeholders. The programme has helped me bring greater structure, clarity, and forward-thinking to our international trade governance approach.”
He especially valued the practical application of complex regulatory concepts and the balance between theory and real-world case studies.
“It helped me apply what I was learning directly to challenges in my role at An Post, while also providing the broader policy perspective needed to lead confidently in a rapidly changing environment.”
“I would highly recommend the Professional Diploma in International Trade to anyone working in or around international trade. It bridges the gap between policy and day-to-day business needs, equipping you to navigate complexity, anticipate change, and make more informed, confident decisions.”
Since completing the programme, David says his approach to trade compliance has become more proactive, strategic, and policy-aware.
“I now view compliance not just as a set of obligations, but as a critical enabler of operational efficiency and business growth.”
Please complete the form with your contact details and we'll be in touch with information on course enrolment.
