15 INDUSTRY NEWS Gemma Sault Joins The GA as MD The Giftware Association is delighted to announce that Gemma Sault will be joining as managing director at the beginning of September. With a strong background in the giftware and retail sectors, Gemma brings a wealth of experience and fresh energy to the Giftware Association as it continues to support and champion the UK’s vibrant home, stationery, craft, jewellery and gift industry. Gemma Says “The GA is the perfect fusion of my passions for business, retail and gift giving. I’m eager to support our members in achieving new heights, making a positive impact to the industry and to play a role in crafting smiles and memories for customers that will last a lifetime.” Gemma’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for The Giftware Association, and members will have the opportunity to meet her in person at this year’s Autumn Fair, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 7th to 10th September 2025. The Association will be exhibiting on stand 7F44 – G45 with the Gift of the Year winners showcase as well as our International team on hand to talk about boosting your business abroad. Gemma will be on hand to connect with members, share insights, and discuss how the GA can continue to support their businesses. “We’re thrilled to welcome Gemma to the team,” said Chris Workman, PR & Marketing Manager of The GA. “Her passion for the industry and her collaborative spirit makes her a perfect fit for our community. We encourage all our members to stop by our stand at Autumn Fair to say hello and get to know her.” The Giftware Association invites all members, partners, and industry professionals to visit their stand and celebrate this exciting addition to the team. Historic trade deal with India signed Businesses and workers in the East of England are set to benefit from the UK’s trade deal with India as new analysis shows the landmark agreement will deliver a £190 million boost for the local economy as part of the Plan for Change. Both Prime Ministers met yesterday morning for the signing of the landmark UK-India trade deal as new analysis reveals communities across every region of the UK will benefit from its £4.8 billion increase to UK GDP each year. It comes as a series of investment and export wins have been confirmed by UK and Indian businesses, representing an overall boost of nearly £6 billion and creating more than 2,200 jobs. 983 businesses in the East of England exported goods worth £533 million to India last year, which could grow even more under the trade deal. The region will see significant benefit from the deal with its numerous science and technology hubs, such as those found in Cambridge, benefitting from reduced tariffs on technologies such as medical devices and high-end optical equipment like microscopes. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “The millions brought to the East of England each year from the deal we’ve signed with India will be keenly felt across local communities, whether that’s higher wages for workers, more choice for shoppers, or increased overseas sales for businesses. This government is proving time and again that we can deliver on our mission to grow the economy, put more money in pockets and boost living standards under our Plan for Change.” Workers in the East of England will enjoy an uplift in pay as UK wages grow by £2.2 billion each year and could also see cheaper prices and more choice on clothes, shoes, and food products. The UK already imports £11 billion in goods from India but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper to buy their best products. For businesses in the East of England this could mean potential savings when importing components and materials used in areas such as advanced manufacturing or luxury and consumer goods. India’s trade weighted average tariff will drop from 15 percent to 3 percent which means companies in the East of England selling medical devices to India will find it easier to sell to the Indian market. It gives the UK an advantage over international competitors in reaching the Indian market, forecast to have over a quarter of a billion high income consumers by 2050. The deal will offer significant opportunities for clean energy experts in the region who will be able to compete directly for contracts from India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for the first time ever. Simon Hansford, Chief Commercial Officer at Civo, a cloud provider founded in Hertfordshire, said: “Significant tariff reductions on our exports will mean our products can be more competitive and accessible in India’s rapidly growing market. Guaranteed access to India’s public procurement market and simplified customs processes could be transformational for many. This deal offers substantial benefits, boosting confidence and creating new avenues for growth in areas that were previously challenging to navigate, making it easier for UK SMEs to trade and thrive internationally.” A Chosen Soul
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