Established in 2004, Cambridge-based Cocoda works with small luxury brands to help market and sell their products internationally.

The business recently secured a new contract with a Japanese distributor after attending a Global Food Forum meet the buyer event in Newmarket last year.

The contract will see products from Holdsworth Chocolates and Duncan’s of Deeside delivered to Japan, to be sold in department stores, delicatessens and gourmet food stores nationally. Its success proves the growing global appetite for British chocolate, with over £680 million being snapped up by overseas consumers last year.

The company currently works with 6 premium brands across the UK including Prestat, Simply Delicious, Summerdown Mint and Pulsetta. They export to 25 countries including North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australasia.

David Hill, Managing Director at Cocoda, said:

As you can imagine, taste is the most important factor when selling luxury chocolate, biscuits and confectionery. Attending DIT-hosted events and trade missions enabled me to meet potential buyers face-to-face, and treat them to our delicious range of biscuits, confectionery and chocolate, which helped secure further sales.

The global appetite for British food and drink is growing all the time, so it’s an amazing opportunity for home-grown producers, but there are certain regulations around packaging and ingredients that vary from country to country.

Working with DIT helped Cocoda to navigate these with ease, and prepared the business and its brands for what to expect when exporting to a new market for the first time. For example, when selling to buyers in the Middle East products like our champagne truffles were removed from the tasting lists because they contain alcohol, which is only available for purchase at licensed venues.

Exporting has been fundamental to the business success, and helped to expand the global customer base for all the brands in Cocoda’s portfolio. If these brands can capitalise on the demand for luxury British products across the globe, so can other East of England businesses.

As part of its commitment to encouraging local businesses to export, Department for International Trade (DIT) hosts regular networking events where companies can meet distributors and partners from across the globe.

Alan Pain, Head of Exports for the East of England at DIT, said:

There are growing opportunities for premium confectionery brands like Holdsworth Chocolates and Duncan’s of Deeside across the globe, particularly in Asia, where consumers are quickly developing a new appetite for dairy products. It’s rewarding to see businesses like Cocoda tapping into this potential.

Food and drink exports generated more than £22 billion of income for the UK in 2017, and this looks set to increase as growing numbers of consumers look for British-branded produce.

We have a team of International Trade Advisers located across the East of England alongside our calendar of events including opportunities to meet face-to-face with prospective buyers and build relationships. We urge local businesses of all sizes and sectors to come along as it’s a great opportunity to learn more about exporting and can lead to new contracts, as shown by Cocoda.

Today (12 July 2018), The Planning Inspectorate published its Annual Report for 2017/18. The report shows that all targets were met in Wales and a continuing improvement in performance in England but acknowledges there is more to be done to meet customer expectations of the time taken to process some appeals.

Key points from the report include:

• The need to change and adapt to meet customers, stakeholders and staff expectations
• Investing to provide excellent customer service and tackle timeliness in dealing with hearings and inquiries in England
• Improved financial performance
• Casework performance in Wales exceeded targets
• Casework performance in England is improving but fell short of expectations partly due to an unexpected 13% increase in caseload
• All Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) applications determined within statutory timetables
• An increase in Local Plan examinations

Sarah Richards, Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate said: ” We are continuing to change and adapt to improve the time it takes to determine appeals and meet our customers’ expectations. Changing our processes and IT systems takes time and we must do this without jeopardising our delivery of quality decisions in an open, fair, and impartial manner.”

Sarah added: “A key foundation of our Transformation programme is ensuring our customers receive the service they deserve and to ensure our processes support the Government’s objective to build the homes and infrastructure the country needs.”

Ends

Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on: 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email: pressoffice@pins.gsi.gov.uk

The Secretary of State Chris Grayling has appointed Sir Terry Morgan CBE as the new Chairman for HS2 Ltd. He will take over from Sir David Higgins on 1 August 2018.

Sir Terry has been the Chair of Crossrail Ltd since 2009 and brings a wealth of experience to HS2 Ltd from many years working in the industry. He was formerly Chief Executive of Tube Lines, a PPP company that was contracted to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure of the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, and held leading roles at BAE Systems, Rover Group and the Chartered Management Institute.

He has an MSc in Engineering Production and Management, is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Sir Terry’s appointment as Chair of HS2 ensures that we will continue to see world-class leadership in an exciting period for one of Europe’s most significant infrastructure projects, helping deliver huge economic growth and improvements for passengers across the country.

His wealth of experience and expertise, demonstrated in numerous leading roles including overseeing the ambitious Crossrail project, as well as his respected reputation and enthusiasm, will be invaluable in the project’s continued success.

I also extend my great thanks to Sir David Higgins, who has led this project with determination and vision. He has brought huge expertise and experience to the development of the project and to making the case for HS2 as a driver of economic transformation.

Sir Terry Morgan said:

It is a privilege to take up this crucial role with HS2 – a railway that will help transform this country through better connections for over 300,000 passengers every single day.

HS2 will be a driving force behind greater prosperity and productivity across the country, unlocking opportunities for growth and regeneration and building a transport network fit for the future. I look forward to meeting the team and beginning the vital work of taking this magnificent project from strength to strength.

Sir David Higgins, out-going Chairman of HS2 Ltd, said:

It has been a privilege to work on HS2 and watch the project grow from concept to the point of construction. Terry is the right person to not only continue that process but lift it to the next level.

During the past 4 years local authorities and business leaders in the midlands and the north have not only recognised HS2’s potential to re-balance the national economy, but have also made it an integral part of their plans for the future. Terry has the experience and expertise to keep delivering to that ambitious agenda.

Mark Thurston, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive said:

As we continue the process of moving from design to construction, HS2 is stepping up a gear. In our short history we have contracted over 2,300 small, medium and large firms across the country and that process is only going to keep picking up pace in the next few years. As we continue to evolve as an organisation to meet that challenge, the guidance and direction that Terry will bring to his role will be vital.

We will shortly also announce the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer — further signs of HS2 getting ready for the challenge ahead.

The Transport Secretary has also announced that Ed Smith CBE has been appointed as a non-executive director of the HS2 Ltd board. Non-executive board members are senior figures from outside government, appointed to provide challenge to government departments.

As set out in the government’s code of practice, non-executive board members should be appointed directly by the Secretary of State and are not civil servants.