DIPLOMATIC ADVISORY HUB
Expert Diplomatic Insight to Help British SMEs Succeed Overseas
The Diplomatic Advisory Hub is a joint initiative between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Led by a former UK Ambassador, the Hub’s expert team offers British SMEs strategic advice and connectivity, so that they can feel more confident to do business overseas.
The Hub is both a front door and a feedback loop. It’s a front door for businesses to tap into geopolitical advice, and a feedback loop so that what businesses are seeing in supply chains and boardrooms flows back to our diplomats and policy makers.
The Diplomatic Advisory Hub sits alongside the British Chambers of Commerce’s wider trade support for businesses, and the other support for exporters offered by the UK Government.
DIPLOMATIC ADVISORY HUB
OUR OFFER
Connecting British SMEs with FCDO expertise
The Diplomatic Advisory Hub offers SMEs engaged in trade abroad or looking to expand into new markets access to clear, actionable insights on political, regulatory, and geographic risks and opportunities.
Through a combination of direct advice and connecting you with the right people/services, we can help with horizon scanning and medium to long-term intelligence to help you maximise your competitive advantage and business resilience.
We also stand ready to provide expert support during a market crisis or at times of major global disruption.
Through the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, you can feel confident to trade knowing that you have access to UK Government support when you most need it.
our upcoming events
join our webinar
Webinar: The Middle East – managing business continuity amid uncertainty
Thursday 16 April, 11.00 – 12.00 GMT
The webinar will focus on the topic of business continuity (supply chains, shipping and business continuity planning). In response to feedback, the webinar will provide even more practical tips to help SMEs navigate global uncertainty.
We have an exciting line-up of speakers from the diplomatic and business community (including Goyder, Maersk and KPMG).
There will be the opportunity to ask written questions, and you can also submit questions you have for the Diplomatic Advisory Hub on our website Diplomatic Advisory Hub – British Chambers of Commerce.
Please note: by signing up to the webinar, you accept that your name will be seen by other participants.
Didn’t catch our last webinar? Check out the summary for the key takeaways.
DIPLOMATIC ADVISORY HUB
Your Gateway to Market Intelligence
information
We offer personalised information to help your business understand market conditions, manage geopolitical risks and identify the right government support to accelerate your export growth. This is provided free of charge.
Events
Using the BCC’s Chamber Network, we run a regular programme of practical briefings and networking sessions that give your business direct access to diplomats and trade experts, helping you spot opportunities and build new connections.
Crisis Support
We can provide rapid guidance when global events disrupt your markets, providing your business with clear intelligence and support to stay resilient and make informed decisions quickly.
DIPLOMATIC ADVISORY HUB
Giving BUSINESS a VOICE AT THE FCDO
The Diplomatic Advisory Hub provides the FCDO with a direct link to businesses, ensuring SME priorities and needs are better understood within the Department, while supporting the government’s growth objective to support UK export opportunities
We inform government policy by gathering real world insight from SMEs and feeding it directly into policy makers across the FCDO, DBT and wider government.
In doing so the Hub turns SME experience into actionable insight, helping ensure UK policy is better aligned with the needs and realities of exporting businesses.
If you have ideas for how the Government could better support SMEs to export or feedback on the Hub, please get in touch
Our services
Participate in BCC and other Business Representative Organisation (BRO) events to engage directly with businesses, understand their requirements for geopolitical insight, and provide clear, actionable guidance and/or referrals to relevant services.
Deliver webinars focused on particular markets, sectors, regions or crises, offering businesses timely updates on geopolitical developments that may affect commercial activity, investment decisions, and market sentiment.
Provide online responses to specific enquiries submitted by British Chambers and individual businesses.
Where enquiries fall outside the remit of the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, facilitate introductions or signpost to appropriate government services.
Offer geopolitical information through the BCC network during crises or significant global disruptions, ensuring businesses have access to the latest situational awareness to support informed operational and strategic decisions.
Support engagement between UK businesses and senior overseas diplomats by working in partnership with the FCDO to provide access to Heads of British diplomatic missions. This will form part of the Diplomatic Regional Partnerships initiative, through which Ambassadors and High Commissioners will visit regions across the UK to strengthen local ties and contribute to economic growth.
Collect and synthesise intelligence from businesses on issues affecting their ability to grow and operate internationally, and feed these insights into the FCDO, DBT and wider HMG to help inform policy development.
Our Services
Participate in BCC and other Business Representative Organisation (BRO) events to engage directly with businesses, understand their requirements for geopolitical insight, and provide clear, actionable guidance and/or referrals to relevant FCDO policy leads and, where appropriate, wider HMG business support services.
Deliver webinars focused on priority and high-profile markets or regions, offering businesses timely updates on geopolitical developments that may affect commercial activity, investment decisions, and market sentiment.
Contribute to briefing sessions for delegates participating in DBT/BCC led trade missions to priority markets, providing political, regulatory, and geostrategic analysis outlining key opportunities and risks.
Provide online responses to specific enquiries submitted by British Chambers and individual businesses.
Offer geopolitical advice through the BCC network during crises or significant global disruptions, ensuring businesses have access to the latest situational awareness to support informed operational and strategic decisions.
Support engagement between UK businesses and senior overseas diplomats by working in partnership with the FCDO to provide access to Heads of British diplomatic missions. This will form part of the Diplomatic Regional Partnerships initiative, through which Ambassadors and High Commissioners will visit regions across the UK to strengthen local ties and contribute to economic growth.
Where enquiries fall outside the remit of the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, facilitate introductions to appropriate HMG channels and/or digital services that can provide support.
Collect and synthesise intelligence from businesses on issues affecting their ability to grow and operate internationally, and feed these insights into the FCDO, DBT and wider HMG to help inform policy development and ministerial recommendations.
our upcoming events
FTA Utilisation: CPTPP and Cumulation in Action
Customs Compliance: What Customs Audits Really Look Like
Understanding US Tariffs: Claffication and Origin
Saving Through Special Procedures: How to Reduce Duty Liability
CBAM Policy Update: What UK Exporter Need to Know
NEXT STEPS
Contact Us
To discuss your needs or explore how we can support your work, please complete our enquiry form.