News: UK Trade & Investment South Korea marine industry secondment

With a 3rd of world order book and a focus on high-value vessels, there are very significant market opportunities for systems and components relevant to UK capability.

UK Trade & Investment is seeking to appoint a Marine business development expert from UK industry to assist the UKTI marine team in Seoul to stimulate export opportunities and deliver targeted support to UK companies who wish to engage with the market.

The successful candidate will work closely with UKTI Seoul, Embassy staff, the wider UKTI network and UKTI Marketing and Event teams and will work in both South Korea (approx. 3-months) and the UK (approx. 1-month).

Key activities

The candidate will support the development of a programme of tactical initiatives and practical support which, over the next five years, will help to increase the market share of the UK in the South Korean market.

Using a relevant and robust methodology - identify, analyse, prioritise and develop short, medium and long-term, trade and partnering opportunities between South Korea and the UK marine supply chain companies – mainly equipment and services – linking these opportunities directly back to the UK supply chain capability including UK companies already established in South Korea. The decision makers may include:

Vessel Owner

Shipyards

Vessel operators

Vessel designers

System integrators

Analyse the market entry options and drive the development of a formal supply chain initiative – i.e. an engagement plan / route to market relevant to 2020 - for UK companies wishing to do business in South Korea. This will include detailed mapping of the areas of influence, procurement process and practices across the different vessel types and categories of equipment and services.  

Support UKTI Marketing’s awareness raising campaign and advise how the UK can differentiate itself in this market from its competitors / advise on a positioning strategy for the UK marine offer relevant to the South Korean market.  

Work with UK Export Finance to open communications with South Korean yards about financing support options.

While in market provide targeted practical support to UK companies and host and help organise events such as exhibitions, trade missions and seminars.

While in the UK, the candidate will work with key stakeholders and partners – including trade associations and the UKTI regional network - to build awareness and engage the UK supply base in these opportunities; educating our customers about the complex route to market (i.e. the multi-national collaborative nature of some of the yards), the relevant procurement procedures and processes and the assistance available from HMG and other stakeholders. This will be achieved via a series of seminars, briefings and webinars. 

Key competencies

The successful applicant should have:

Excellent analytical and communications skills

A solid background in the marine sector, marine engineering / manufacturing or a related discipline.

A good knowledge of the UK marine / maritime offer.

Experience as a Global Business Development Director or Senior Technical Specialist providing strategic direction to drive business development in overseas markets.

A good knowledge of the South Korean shipping and marine market would be an advantage.

The successful candidate will be based in the British Embassy in Seoul and travel throughout the country may be required.

The duration of the appointment will be four months – three months in market with an additional month in the UK.

All in-country living and travel expenses will be covered by UKTI. The candidate’s employer will continue to cover salary costs as well as the cost of any relevant insurance.

It is proposed that the candidate would be in-market sometime during August / September 2016. 

All expressions of interest should be sent to john.strang@ukti.gsi.gov.uk