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On-demand: BESA x COBIS: Export Masterclass 2025
When
Tuesday, 31 MarchWhere
Online, On-demandPrice
£100 for BESA Members, £210 for Non-membersAvailable for a limited time, this recording captures BESA’s very first International Business Export Masterclass — a brand new event created for education suppliers beginning their journey into global markets.
Led by a panel of expert speakers with first-hand experience building successful international businesses across diverse models, the masterclass walks you through the core knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to expand internationally. Whether you’re exploring where to start, identifying the right opportunities, or seeking new approaches to gain traction, the sessions share practical, actionable insights throughout.
As the UK market remains relatively static, international markets continue to grow in both value and opportunity. In this recording, you’ll learn why global expansion matters now more than ever and how your organisation can take advantage of emerging international demand.
The session also unpacks the new International Education Strategy, exploring priority regions, the reasoning behind their selection, and what this means in practice for UK companies.
Across the recording, you’ll be guided through the fundamentals of exporting in the education sector, including:
- Key cultural, legal, and logistical considerations
- Practical tools for assessing opportunities and shaping an export strategy
- How to research and evaluate suitable international markets
With an ever-changing global landscape, this masterclass provides practical tools, frameworks, and resources to help steer your export approach.
Highlights:
Preparing your export strategy: Insights into adapting products, prioritising target regions, and aligning to long-term strategy
Entering a market panel: Exporters share tools to assess readiness and focus investment
Exercise: Measuring an opportunity: Hands-on workshop using the PESTLE framework to assess market entry decisions
How to sell to international schools: Strategies for winning contracts, building influence, and maintaining relationships, with case studies
Preparing to export: Practical advice on building relationships, taking a long-term view, and focusing on the right markets
Support for Exporters:
COBIS: Marketing opportunities, brand exposure, and case studies of successful collaborations
DBT: Meet market leads and International Trade Advisers; learn about UK Export Finance and UK Skills Partnership
BESA: Tapping into research and trade mission; joining the Export Group
Please note that this booking is to purchase the on-demand recording of the masterclass.
Once you have confirmed your booking, you will receive the conference recording and presentation slides via email.
Bookings open until 31 March 2026.
For any questions, please contact eventsteam@besa.org.uk.
Agenda
11:00am
Introduction from the Chair
Steve Whitley, Founder, EdTech Consulting
11:15am
Preparing to export
Ian Hunter, Founder and CEO, Lime Education Consulting
This session will explore the current challenges in the UK education market and the contrasting opportunities available internationally. Speakers will share practical advice on preparing for overseas growth, from taking a long-term view and building meaningful relationships to focusing your efforts on the right markets rather than spreading yourself too thin. You’ll also gain insight into how to effectively research and evaluate new markets to ensure your international strategy is built on strong foundations.
11:45am
Support for Exporters: Working with BESA
Julia Garvey, Deputy Director General, BESA
Discover the full range of support available to education suppliers looking to expand internationally through BESA’s International Hub. This session will highlight how you can tap into BESA research, benefit from the Export Special Interest Group, and take part in trade missions. You’ll also learn how BESA supports exporters before, during, and after key events to help you achieve lasting success in global markets.
12:05pm
Support for Exporters: Working with the Department for Business and Trade
Thea Wiltshire, EdTech, Schools, Early Years, and SEND Specialist, Department for Business & Trade
This session will outline how the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) supports UK education exporters through its renewed International Education Strategy. Learn about the vital role of DBT’s UK market leads and in-country International Trade Advisers, as well as the services available through UK Export Finance, trade missions, and the UK Skills Partnership. A real-world case study will also demonstrate how these resources can be leveraged to achieve international growth.
1:00pm
Support for Exporters: Working the Council of British International Schools Ltd (COBIS)
Megan Winslade, Membership Engagement Executive, COBIS
This session will highlight how COBIS (Council of British International Schools) supports UK education suppliers through its extensive global network. Discover the ways COBIS works with associate members, from marketing opportunities and brand exposure to its flagship annual conference. A case study will illustrate how companies have successfully engaged with COBIS to expand their international reach.
1:30pm
Lunch
2:15pm
Preparing Your Export Strategy
Sam Derby, Director, Oriel Square
Expanding internationally requires more than ambition—it demands a focused strategy. In this session, we’ll outline the most promising market opportunities, from international schools to emerging education hubs across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, and Africa. Learn how to prioritise markets, identify where your solutions fit best, and build a roadmap for long-term success.
2:45pm
Exercise: Measuring an opportunity
Steve Whitley, Founder, EdTech Consulting
Understanding whether a new market is the right fit requires careful evaluation. In this interactive exercise, you’ll learn how to measure an opportunity using a PESTLE framework, assessing political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors. This practical session will help you apply structured thinking to market entry decisions and sharpen your export strategy.
3:15pm
Entering a Market Panel
Chair: Steve Whitley, Founder, EdTech Consulting
Panel:
– Gary Bond, International Sales Manager & Team Leader – Europe, C Asia & UK, Britannica Education
– Jonathan Bhowmick, Founder, Action Mats
– Rebecca Harrington, Global Sales Director, RM Resources
– Chris Tudor, Founder & CEO, Massolit
Entering a new market isn’t just about opportunity — it’s about fit. This session explores how to evaluate whether a market is right for your organisation, from understanding local dynamics to aligning with your long-term goals. You’ll gain practical tools to assess readiness, focus your efforts, and make smarter choices about where to invest time and resources.
3:45pm
How to Sell to International Schools
Danny Yeow, Founder and CEO, Global Education Strategy Team Ltd
Selling to international schools requires more than a great product — it’s about trust, credibility, and long-term relationships. This session will explore practical strategies for engaging with schools, from leveraging associations like COBIS and tapping into early adopters, to using pilot programmes and social media to build influence. You’ll also learn the differences between working with school groups versus individual schools and hear a case study that brings these approaches to life.
4:15pm
Closing remarks
