TRADING overseas is the name of the game for one North Yorkshire businesswoman.

After 20 years travelling the globe to promote British businesses overseas, Lorraine Ellison has decided to turn her hand to running her own company, Lorraine Ellison Ltd. Based at Old Byland, near Helmsley, Lorraine plans to use her experience of developing trade overseas to advise and support other businesses.

Before setting up her company, she was director for International Markets for the Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce (MYCCI). Over an 11-year period, she organised and led more than 120 trade missions across the world.

She is also a member of the British Brazil Business Council, which aims to encourage and develop exports and investments on both sides.

Now she hopes to use her expertise to help companies in York and North Yorkshire gain customers overseas.

She said: "My areas of specialisation include textiles, fashion and the creative industries and I am delighted that one of my first contracts, as an independent consultant, is with UK Trade & investment (UKTI) Yorkshire and Humber. This gives me tremendous scope to help companies in our region to reach new markets.

"I am looking forward to broadening my horizons and working with both the public and private sector in other areas, including helping women's networks to further their potential in overseas markets, as well as developing ethnic businesses. I also plan to continue working overseas, and have a visit to China planned in the next few weeks."

As a member of WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise), she said she particularly wants other women to benefit from her experience.

"I have travelled into some of the world's most difficult markets. I spent time on the Afghan border and in Africa and I'm really keen to pass my knowledge on to other women," she said.

Graham Percival, deputy international director of UKTI Yorkshire and Humber, said: "Her in-depth experience will be invaluable in assisting us to ensure that companies across the region have support to maximise opportunities in the world markets."

Updated: 11:04 Tuesday, May 18, 2004