SAMPE Orange County Meeting Notice

With increasing globalization, nations must foster greater innovation to remain competitive. The presentation will focus on key sectors of innovation in the U.K., and how US companies can work with U.K. Trade and Investment to leverage this excellence in order to meet their global business objectives. With strong protections to intellectkual property, a highly skilled workforce, and a strong financial center, the United Kingdom is an ideal springboard for expanding your business.

We will provide an overview of trade between the U.S. and the U.K. along with figures on Foreign Direct Investments. Advanced materials in the U.K.. will be discussed, focusing on composites. U.K. strengths in both aerospace and automotive composites will be explained and the structure and function of U.K. Trade and Investment will be explained, and how our organization helps US companies expand their business into Europe.

Nicholas Hooper, Vice Consul (Trade & Investment) • Aerospace

Nicholas Hooper is the Trade and Investment Officer for Aerospace for United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) at the British Consulate-General in L.A. He assists US companies in leveraging U.K. resources to meet their international growth plans. This includes facilitating U.K.-US business partnerships, providing location assistance, advising on labor and residency requirements, and identifying research alliances at U.K. universities.

Mr. Hooper provides market assistance to U.K.-based corporations. He provides market analysis reports, participates in trade shows and industry events, and builds relationships between key business leaders in the US and U.K.. Prior to joining UKTI, Mr. Hooper was Program Manager for AdelWiggins Group, an aerospace parts supplier, where he worked in product development. He began his career as a mechanical engineer, working in both aerospace and pharmaceutical industries. He has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Blake Kelly, Business Development Associate - Aerospace.

Blake Kelly currently serves as a Business Development Associate for Aerospace for U.K. Trade and Investment (UKTI) at the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles. Mr. Kelly assists Mr. Hooper in helping U.S. companies to leverage U.K. resources to meet their international growth plans. This includes facilitating U.K.-US business partnerships, providing location assistance, advising on labor and residency requirements and identifying research alliances at U.K. universities. He also provides market assistance to U.K.-based corporations which covers providing market analysis reports, participation in trade shows and other industry events, and builds relationships between key business leaders in the U.S. and U.K.

Mr. Kelly is a FAA Certified Flight Instructor and Commercial Pilot. Prior to joining UKTI, he worked for a flight school in Santa Barbara providing flight instruction and commercial pilot services. He still actively flies and instructs out of the Los Angeles area. Mr. Kelly has a Bachelor of Science in Statics degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.