Michael was at the forefront of private sector trade missions, going back to the days of the DTI, when he was working with the UK Government, focusing mainly on the emerging Middle East Markets. Michael founded Pathfinder Trade and Invest in 2011, and his Pathfinder trade missions have been invaluable in connecting British trade and investment with their opposite numbers overseas.

Following its acquisition by CT Travel Group in 2017, today, Pathfinder is a UK leader in global trade missions both outbound from the UK and inbound from overseas, connecting UK business with their opposite numbers, resulting in new business and partnerships worldwide.

Mark jointly led the largest ever UKTI supported trade mission to Kurdistan which carried a total of 89 delegates.

In addition, Mark has taken trade missions to Libya and Uzbekistan and has travelled widely thoughout the world including the Far East, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East.

Mark is Founder and CEO of CT Travel Group, the parent company of Pathfinder Trade and Invest and has a solid entrepreneurial business background and a passion to assist UK companies to export.

Matt is Managing Director of TVET UK, a trade association and education consultancy which works with international customers such as ministries, public/private sector providers and employers, to develop modern, fit-for-purpose education systems using the UK’s leading education and training providers and suppliers.

TVET UK provides an end-to-end solution for governments including project finance, design, build and equipment as well as the operation of institutes. TVET UK work in around 40 countries and have offices in Algeria, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria and a JV in Iran.

Matt is also the Founding Director of the Mauritanian British Business Council, a non-for-profit bilateral trade body designed to promote investment and knowledge-sharing with Mauritania.

Alastair was an Executive Director of Fired Earth PLC for eleven years. He then worked as the Private Secretary to HRH Prince Andrew for nine years, in support of his international trade role, working closely with UKTI and the FCO. During that time there was particular emphasis on the Middle East and Jordan featured prominently in the programme, both with King Abdullah and his government trade ministers.

Since 2012, he has worked for the D Group, assisting in business development and engagement with the top 150 UK companies. He is also a board member of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce

David Lloyd is Senior Consultant for Pathfinder Trade and Invest and has led over twenty Trade Missions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

As a former member of HM Diplomatic Service, David spent 5 years living and working in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and maintains a wide range of business and political contacts across the Kingdom.