Global Trade Live – Building supply chain resilience

Will Barns-Graham is the executive editor and content lead at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

An experienced global trade journalist and event content specialist, he has been the host of the Chartered Institute’s industry-leading Global Trade Live webinar for almost a decade and is the lead editor of its Global Trade Today newsletter. He has also hosted, led agenda design and facilitated panels at various industry events, including the Import Export Show, Multimodal and the International Food and Drink Event.

Will has also been the lead content contributor on several collaborative projects with governments and business organisations in the UK and overseas. This includes the ‘Open to Export International Business Awards’ which resulted in the Chartered Institute being named a Small Business Champion by the World Trade Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce.

He is a NCTJ-qualified journalist, having gained a distinction on the Press Association’s Level 3 Diploma. He has also gained an MA in Social Anthropology from SOAS and a BA in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Oxford.

Nick is the Trade and Transaction Banking business lead for NatWest Bank’s Commercial and Mid-Market customer base. His primary focus is supporting companies operating across the UK in a wide variety of sectors with their core banking needs, including import/export activities and associated working capital requirements. With over 25 years’ experience working in commercial banking, cash management and trade finance, Nick is well placed to support UK businesses through NatWest’s solutions and accessing specialist support from key partners.

Ilona is an expert in international trade compliance with over ten years of experience, specialising in global import operations. As the lead for the Imports Advisory Practice, she excels in managing complex import processes, conducting customs and broker invoice audits, and developing policies that streamline cross-border trade while ensuring strict adherence to global regulations. Her expertise spans customs requirements in the MENAT and EMEA regions, where she has successfully mitigated risks and optimised compliance strategies for various organisations. 

Ilona has an in-depth understanding of international customs regulations, staying ahead of legislative changes to proactively address challenges and assess their impact on business operations. Her strong focus on import compliance and her analytical approach to auditing have been pivotal in achieving seamless and compliant import operations across multiple markets. 

Currently, as a senior digital trade and customs specialist, Ilona leads key initiatives around cross-border movements and the UK Border Strategy. She spearheads projects that leverage disruptive technologies to optimise import processes and enhance global trade facilitation. Her expertise aims to ensure that businesses remain competitive and compliant in the rapidly evolving landscape of international trade and drive innovation and efficiency in cross-border operations. 

Rebecca is currently the Head of Business Innovation, Supply Chain & Trade at the University of Warwick (WMG), where she leads the strategic development and academic delivery of programmes across international trade, supply chain management, and business innovation. Her work sits at the intersection of research, education, and policy, with a strong focus on fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government to shape resilient and future-ready global trade systems.

During her time at the University of Warwick, Rebecca has held several senior leadership roles, including Head of Supply Chain and Trade, Reader in International Economics & Trade, and Interim Associate Dean for Postgraduate Education. She oversees large-scale postgraduate programmes serving over 500 students annually, manages key accreditation partnerships with professional bodies such as the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and contributes to an extensive international teaching portfolio.

Beyond academia, Rebecca is the co-founder of the Women in Trade Hub (WiTH UK), a joint initiative between the University of Warwick and the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, dedicated to advancing gender equality and promoting inclusive trade policy.

Her policy engagement includes advisory roles with the UK Department for Business and Trade, as well as contributions to the International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom (ICC UK) and The Trade and Public Policy Network (TaPP). She is particularly committed to supporting evidence-based approaches to international trade, with a focus on gender equality, economic inclusion, and sustainable development.

With a background in economics spanning both academic research and applied policy, Rebecca is passionate about translating insight into impact, supporting the development of more equitable, innovative, and sustainable global trade systems.