I am the Senior Content Editor at the Institute of Export & International Trade and have managed the Open to Export project since 2015 when it was being run by UK Trade and Investment (now the Department for International Trade). I have a background in journalism and copywriting, as well as having a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies and a Batchelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Oxford.
I write and edit content for both the Institute and Open to Export websites (reaching 40000 exporters every month) as well as being the editor for the quarterly journal World Trade Matters, which has featured articles from Roberto Azevêdo (Director General of the World Trade Organisation), Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London), and Dr Liam Fox (Secretary of State for International Trade).
As well as being a hardworking editor and journalist, I am proud to be called a ‘Small Business Champion’ by the World Trade Organisation and the International Chamber of Commerce. They have both supported the ‘Open to Export International Business Awards’ – a competition I have project managed on behalf of the Institute – as part of the WTO-ICC Small Business Champions Initiative. This competition, which SMEs enter using an online planning tool on Open to Export, has received entries from companies all over the world, ranging from St Kitts to Mongolia.
Outside of the Institute, for whom I work 4 days a week, I am a freelance writer interviewing and reviewing artists and musicians for various websites and magazines.
I am always open to new opportunities, so please feel free to contact me either here or at barnsgwj@gmail.com.
I am also a writing, performing and recording musician under the name William Patrick Owen. My music can be found on all streaming platforms as well as my website at williampatrickowen.com
Work history
T
T
Senior Content EditorThe Institute of Export & International Trade
London, United KingdomFull Time
The IOE&IT has for over 80 years worked closely with industry and government to give UK businesses the skills and confidence needed to export successfully and compliantly.
As a membership organization, the IOE&IT helps its members to trade successfully overseas through training, qualifications, its online helpline, and other online and offline support.
The IOE&IT took over Open to Export in 2017. I was taken on as its Digital Content Manager and have since been promoted into the Senior Content Editor role. I write and edit content for its website and blogs, edit the quarterly journal World Trade Matters, write on behalf of the IOE&IT for the press, run its regional World Trade Summit programme, and continue to run the Open to Export project outlined below.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Writing and editing blogs on the IOE&IT website, including guest contributions from our members.
• Researching and writing on behalf of the IOE&IT and its Director General in several trade publications and websites.
• Editing the Institute’s quarterly journal World Trade Matters. Readership includes our members and senior decision-makers in government and industry. It has featured guest contributions from Sadiq Khan, Dr Liam Fox, Roberto Avevêdo (DG, WTO), Lord Green, Lord Popat & more.
• Running the content for and event managing our regional trade summit programme – half day conferences featuring the latest thought leadership and debate in trade in each UK region.
• Managing the social media channels for IOE&IT, OTE and Lesley Batchelor OBE (Director General of the IOE&IT)
• Running the Open to Export project (below)
O
O
Head of Digital ContentOpen to Export
London, United KingdomFreelance
OTE is a free online information service from The Institute of Export & International Trade, dedicated to helping small UK businesses get ready to export and expand internationally. It was set up by the government in 2013. It supports SMEs through its free online guides and articles, regular webinar programme, and its online Export Action Plan tool.
I was hired as the Content Manager for OTE in 2015 when it was being funded by UK Trade and Investment (now the Department of International Trade), and I now run it on behalf of the IOE&IT.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Editing and commissioning the site’s content, working with writers/experts across the business world
• Running and hosting monthly webinars on key topics for exporters – the best attended webinar programme in the industry
• Project managing the Export Action Plan Competitions (8 so far), which companies enter using OTE’s online planning tool.
• Project managing the ‘Open to Export International Business Awards’ – an international version of the above being run with the World Trade Organisation and the International Chamber of Commerce, attracting entries from SMEs all over the world
• Running the company’s marketing messaging and promotions to over 14000 members using mailchimp, as well as managing the company’s adwords campaigns and SEO
+ Show more
Skills
- Copywriting
- Content Management
- Editing
- Web Content
- Marketing
- Social
- Content Strategist
- Event
- Journalism
- Social Media Marketing
Education
S
S
MASchool of Oriental and African Studies
- London, United Kingdom
MA in Social Anthropology - Distinction
Dissertation: 'Lost in the Moment: Opening Up Utopian Performance with the ‘Lost Generation’ at Spoken Word London.'
U
U
Bachelor ArtsUniversity of Oxford
- Oxford, United Kingdom
Philosophy and Theology