International Trade Awards Winner : Information

11 Feb 2009 CHAPMAN TAYLOR SCOOPS INTERNATIONAL TRADING AWARD Global architectural services firm Chapman Taylor has beaten off stiff competition to claim the title of London regional winner of the annual International Trade Awards. The award will be presented to Christopher Lanksbury, International Director, today (11 February 2009) in recognition of the firm’s innovative and proactive approach to international expansion. Since 2006, Chapman Taylor has set challenging international expansion goals and objectives, including a target to open four new international offices by 2008. This goal was exceeded and five new offices were opened. Moscow and Bucharest offices opened in 2007 and operations in Kiev, New Delhi and Shanghai launched in 2008. Chapman Taylor develops a tailored proposition to suit each of the unique markets they work in and have grown organically into a global business. Market entry is based on rigorous research and analysis with a focus on establishing their own office from scratch. Commenting on the win, Christopher Lanksbury, International Director, Chapman Taylor, said: "Since 1959 we have grown from a three person practice into a large international firm with over 500 people operating from 15 regional offices and working in over 60 countries. As we grew and developed our international trade strategies evolved, but what remained uncompromised was the need to fully understand the cultural sensitivities of each place we worked and to work in synergy with many different people around the world. “This, and the quality of our design, has been the cornerstone of our success. We are proud to be recognised for these values in the UK and internationally and are delighted to accept the International Trade Award for the London region.” The International Trade Awards, run in association with HSBC and International Trade Today, celebrate companies in the UK which have excelled in creating innovative import and export opportunities, and have a proven track record in international trading. Yvonne Bear, Regional Commercial Director for London, HSBC said: "We are proud to support these awards, which recognise the organisations, such as Chapman Taylor, that have been successful in demonstrating innovation on an international level. "As a major global financial services organisation, HSBC is committed to helping businesses create a global brand through realising their international trading potential. We’re delighted to see Chapman Taylor gaining recognition for its very successful trade activity and pro-active entry into new markets.  We wish them well as they go forward to represent London at the national award ceremony in March." Ian Campbell OBE, Editorial Consultant of International Trade Today, who chaired the judges, commented: “Service businesses now account for 50 per cent of our international trade. UK design and style has become a major force in many overseas markets and we were delighted to choose a top firm of architects to win the London regional award. Chapman Taylor exemplifies many of the right ways to gain global business – sensitivity to the culture and mores of the market, researching thoroughly the specific needs of the customers, and involving local partners in the delivery.” Following today’s announcement, representatives from Chapman Taylor are set to attend a Gala Luncheon at the House of Lords in March 2009, where they will be recognised for their achievements and compete with the other 11 regional finalists for the title of UK International Trade Company of the year. The new Trade Minister, Lord Davies, will be joining the successful finalists at the lunch.