New director focuses on five-year strategy.

A leading North-East businessman has been appointed as the region's new International Trade Director for UK Trade & Investment.

Born in South Shields, David Coppock previously worked for Philips Electronics for more than 10 years in various management roles in London and Manchester. Most recently he led the LG-Philips Electronics (LG Philips Displays) joint venture in the UK from 2000 to 2006 when he reported to the main board in Hong Kong and successfully developed the company in Nanjing, China.

A graduate of Loughborough University, where he gained a BSc in Engineering Sciences, he then went on to complete a Masters in Business Administration at Warwick University and the Senior Executive Programme at Bradford University.

He has also worked for Rover Cars, Rank Xerox and for a management consultancy in offices around the world including Asia Pacific, USA and Europe.

Mr Coppock said: "I am joining UK Trade & Investment at an exciting time as we have just launched our new five-year strategy aimed at putting UK businesses at the forefront of global trade and investment.

"The main elements of the strategy will be to focus on emerging markets such as China, India, the Middle East, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and South America. This will mean a reallocation and refocusing of our front line from existing markets such as Western Europe.

"We will also be focusing on research and development across the UK and science and technology-led companies and will be working closely with One NorthEast to build on the excellent work they've already done in this area. It's particularly exciting for me because of my science background.

"And we will be focusing more of our efforts on helping existing exporters to help them grow their business in emerging markets. Nationally, there will be a greater focus on marketing the UK on a global scale and here in the North-East we will be playing our part in those efforts.

"The main priorities for the region will be to develop our relationships with our partners, such as One NorthEast, the Chamber of Commerce and Business Links to ensure a team approach that will provide continuous support for companies involved in international trade.

"We really are at an exciting time ( with the launch of the Regional Economic Strategy ( and I hope that we can play our part in supporting the RES now it's approved by DTI and ensure that the region's businesses have all the skills and support they need to succeed and grow."

Mr Coppock, 45, lives in Durham, with his wife and two daughters, and is also a Member of the Institute of Management and the Institute of Directors. He is also currently studying at Durham University for a Chartered Directorship.