The fine art of exporting to Dubai

Twelve years ago Gillian Hobson left the metropolitan hustle of Birmingham where she worked as a freelance designer to the giftware industry and lectured in three-dimensional design, returning to her native Lincolnshire to lecture in jewellery and metalwork. It was here that she found the ideal environment to create her own delicate jewel-like pieces, which seem to become talking points wherever they are installed.

Working to different scales to suit both domestic and corporate settings, Gillian’s intricate creations combine the strength of stainless steel and other metals with the beauty of hand-blown glass.

Last year Gillian had the chance to join a group of other UK artists on a business mission to Dubai, and it was an opportunity that was too good to miss. Funding the trip, however, was a problem, so she contacted one of UK Trade & Investment’s local international trade advisers to see if they could help.

Gillian said: “The fact-finding trip to Dubai was organized by ‘Cohesion’ – a group that supports the glass business and they wanted to introduce British artists to emerging markets in the Middle East. Everything was set up, but I still had to find some funding assistance to join the study group. Luckily UK Trade & Investment were able to locate funds from Yorkshire Forward’s Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS).

“Once in Abu Dhabi it was hard work networking, but nevertheless I made some great business contacts and I must have made a good impression because I was invited back to speak at the annual conference of the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID). Once again I was able to access funding under the TESS programme to participate in the conference.”

Now Gillian is about to join UK Trade & Investment’s Passport to Export programme which will offer valuable advice and support to underpin her future export plans.   

Gillian added: “I’m looking forward to finding out more about the practicalities of exporting and what goes into the process. I know there’s no magic formula, but I’ve been excited by the vibrancy of Dubai and would like to pursue the business possibilities there further.

“Finding clients for artwork isn’t like trying to sell most products, as prospective clients don’t know they want it until they see it. Then if they like your work they tend to want something immediately. From what I have learned, this immediacy typifies the market in Dubai, so you need to be there long enough to stay firmly on the radar when people are considering artwork. This is not easy for those of us based in the UK and it can become very expensive without some kind of assistance programme.

“There is no doubt that without the group dynamic of Cohesion I would never have had the confidence to go out to Dubai to explore the market, but without the funding assistance from TESS I couldn’t have joined the study group. The TESS funding is also supporting an opportunity to exhibit at the British Embassy in Dubai and to participate in a British Glass Showcase at the Crowne Plaza Hotel also in Dubai last October. These are important exhibitions for me, but I simply could not fund a project like this on my own.”

Gareth Price, UK Trade & Investment’s international trade adviser in the Humber region said: “Gill’s interesting technique and use of materials make an impressive statement. She has a style which is very appealing to the sophisticated market in Dubai where new and dynamic public spaces are springing up every day. Hopefully some of the export services we offer at UK Trade & Investment such as the Passport to Export programme will compliment the TESS funding we have already identified for Gill from Yorkshire Forward.”

Website: www.gillhobson.com