Course Leaders and Assessors

Stephen Townsley has spent his entire career in international trade and the last 25 years as a self-employed trainer and consultant.  A national figure with a passion for professional development, he is renowned for designing, developing and delivering high-quality practical, current and relevant learning including bespoke, public, Chamber of Commerce, and formal certificated programmes up to degree level in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Slovenia.

Keith Robe’s former career in customs spans 32 years where his specialisms included regulations, special procedures and AEO. 

Previously, as a representative of both HMRC and EU Customs, Keith has worked on customs modernisation projects in the Middle East and the Caribbean, and with Customs & Border Protection in the US negotiating AEO/CTPAT Mutual Recognition. He also facilitated the introduction of AEO in Brazil advising Brazilian Customs in Brasilia.

Lead Assessor and Internal Verifier Kate Taylor worked for an engineering company supplying the overseas oil and gas sector before taking up her current role with a global manufacturing exporter of encapsulated fragrances for the paper industry. Kate is a full member of the Institute of Export and International Trade.

Nicholas Tate is the founder of Just Trade, an international trade management application that helps businesses process export/import procedures documents and customs declarations to over 200 countries. Nicholas has over 15 years of experience in international trade.

Alissia Dean, Export Finance Manager at UKEF, is a client-focused professional with over 15 years' experience within the financial services sector. She has worked within a variety of departments, including: Business & Corporate Banking, Retail Credit, Commercial Mortgages and Asset-based Lending.

Adrian Bond is responsible for providing Export Control Joint Unit's training to new and experienced exporters across the UK. Before joining the Business Awareness Unit in 2014, Adrian worked in ECJU’s Technical Assessment Unit, providing Control List Classifications for export licence applications since 2008.

Sam Paley, Trade Procedures Manager, leads teams in Bradford and London responsible for issuing trade documents and is a specialist in Rules of Origin. He was recently appointed to a national committee of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to monitor the quality of certification work within the 53 UK chamber network.

Ehtsham (Sham) Razaq, Customs Brokerage Specialist, is a qualified customs broker and leads on delivering customs clearance and advisory services.

Carla Assunção, Digital Manager, is responsible for Chamber International’s digital presence and digital strategy. She manages all training events and oversees the technical and administrative requirements of the programme.

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