In 2011, the company developed a cooling technology to protect life-saving vaccines in developing countries. Their medical refrigerators can last without power for up to 12 days and have since protected 20 million vaccinations around the world.

Launched this January, the ‘Local to Global’ podcast series features some of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs sharing top tips for growing a business on the world stage. The podcast is hosted by Nick Hewer – famously known for his appearance on The Apprentice as one of Lord Sugar’s advisers.

Sure Chill’s life-changing refrigerators are improving healthcare and living conditions in countries across Africa and Asia – especially those without reliable power. The company currently exports to over 50 countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Pakistan and Nepal, with plans to enter new markets in South America and the Gulf states.

Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion Baroness Fairhead said:

Sure Chill’s success in Africa and Asia highlights how exporting can improve the lives of those in developing countries thousands of miles away. It’s stories like this that inspire other UK businesses to explore overseas markets, and I’m pleased my department has been able to help Sure Chill deliver its life-saving refrigerators internationally.

As demand for British goods worldwide continues to grow, we stand ready to support businesses in Wales and across the UK looking to explore overseas markets. I would encourage likeminded businesses to listen to the ‘Local to Global’ podcast and hear first-hand the stories of businesses on their export experience.

Since launching its first product in 2011, Sure Chill has experienced international success and now plans to use the same cooling technology for domestic use in homes, retail, businesses and even airlines.

The business gained greater publicity last year when CEO Nigel Saunders accompanied the UK Prime Minister on her trade mission across Africa to promote their technology and build trade links. Not only does the company work closely with UNICEF and the World Health Organization, it has also received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Shell Foundation.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

Innovative businesses like Sure Chill, who joined my recent trip to Africa with the Prime Minister, are contributing to a stronger Welsh economy, and I am delighted to see their success in the global marketplace. It’s encouraging for other Welsh companies to hear from those who have expanded their business internationally.

There has never been a better time for Welsh companies to export to new markets. The UK Government is supporting Welsh businesses as they begin their export journey, whether that’s with financial support, attending overseas trade shows or connecting them with international buyers.

Sure Chill CEO Nigel Saunders will appear on Episode 4 of the ‘Local to Global’ podcast which goes live on 4 February 2019, and is available on all major podcast platforms including iTunes, Spotify and Acast.

Nigel Saunders, Chief Executive Officer at Sure Chill, said:

We’re proud to be featured in the ‘Local to Global’ podcast. It’s great to share our experience with other businesses knowing that it might give them the confidence to begin exporting.

Exporting has always been part of our business plan because the nature of our product means that the people who would benefit the most are in developing economies.

The exporting process can be complex because different countries have specific requirements. Luckily, the Department for International Trade has provided us with insight into new markets and networking opportunities. Now we’re excited to take our ground-breaking technology to all corners of the globe and improve lives far and wide.

Alan Eccles was appointed as Chief Executive and Public Guardian for England and Wales in 2012, by the Lord Chancellor under Section 57 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Alan is responsible to the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Justice for the effective operation of the agency.

In an email to staff at the Office of the Public Guardian, Alan Eccles said:

We have a reputation for putting the user/customer at the heart of all we do; through the development of world-leading digital services (our LPA online service was the first in government to pass Government Digital Service (GDS) service assessment in 2014), the reform of LPA forms, the way we interact with deputies, the way we conduct safeguarding and investigations, and the excellent service given by our contact centre colleagues.

We have a reputation for innovation that is recognised internationally. We have been invited to speak in Seoul, South Korea, and have welcomed delegates from Singapore, Japan and Jersey to showcase what best practice looks like.

I am extremely proud of our many great achievements during this period and it has been wonderful to celebrate these milestones with you over the years.

What has remained the same during my 7 years with OPG is the commitment of everyone who works here to make a difference. You have always been determined to make a positive impact in the world of mental capacity and to the lives of the users of our services.

Work is underway to start recruitment for the new Public Guardian.

Today, the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Fast Stream and UK technology trade association techUK launched a new programme to encourage collaborative working between early professionals in the Civil Service and the technology sector.

About the programme

Tech Connect is a 12-week digital skills programme bringing together early professionals in government and industry to inspire them to design and deliver the best and most technology-innovative public services.

The programme was launched in partnership with techUK’s Public Services Board (PSB) and is sponsored by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Director General and Chief Digital and Information Officer, Jacky Wright.

The programme gives about 20 third-year DDaT fast streamers and 20 early career professionals from the tech industry the chance to work closely with a wide range of technology companies, all members of techUK’s Public Service Board. This is an opportunity for DDaT fast streamers to gain industry exposure and for early career professionals from the private sector to get insight into some of government’s biggest technology challenges.

What participants will do

Participants will work in blended teams, and will pick a public sector technology, operational or policy problem, with the aim of delivering innovative solutions that can be deployed by government.

Teams will also participate in 5 industry ‘programme days’, hosted by member companies of techUK’s Public Sector Board. Each industry day will give the teams exposure to a new organisation, and focus on innovative technologies and approaches that they can use in their project.

Each team will be guided by 2 senior mentors, one from industry and one civil servant, who will act as a point of contact to discuss strategy, blockers and opportunities, as well as steer the project towards success.

At the end of the programme, the teams will present their solutions to their public service challenge to senior leaders from government and industry, who will provide feedback and select a winning team.

Effective collaboration between public and private sectors

Participants will learn what effective collaboration between government and industry looks like, and how leveraging the skills of the public and private sector can produce outcomes of lasting value for the government.

Jacky Wright said:

I am very excited about the launch of this programme, which will allow early career colleagues in both private and public sector to learn from each other, work together in innovative ways, and develop supportive networks and ongoing relationships. By working in true partnership rather than competition, and supporting greater collaboration, we can encourage innovative, solution-focused thinking among the Civil Service’s future leaders and create the digital organisation that we need for the future.

Kevin Cunnington, Head of the DDaT Profession and Director General, Government Digital Service, commented:

This is an exciting initiative which helps build skills and capability within the Civil Service. This programme is the latest example of our continual collaboration with the wider industry to help make government work better for everyone.

Julian David, Chief Executive Officer, techUK, added:

This initiative provides a much-needed bridge between industry innovation and government. Creating a collaborative partnership in the early stages of a professional career will greatly improve our public services delivery and the experiences we all have as citizens. Our members are delighted to welcome these bright minds into their organisations and play a part in building the next generation of world-class public services.

Background

techUK Public Services Board’s member companies include: Dell EMC, YOTI, Computacenter, Capgemini, IBM, eduserv, Fujitsu, BT, Sopra Steria, vmWare, Amazon web services, BrightLemon, Ark, CDW, Informed Solutions, CISCO.

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