Global Motives
Tuesday 11th November 2025
1.00pm - 5.00pm
St Katharine Docks, Central London
Join retail and consumer brand leaders for talks on the rationale and realities of going global.
Hear insights on international expansion from Floris London (Head of Global Sales) and Cocoba (Founder).
Cut through the hype with the unvarnished realities of going global.
Learn about margin protection with smarter tax, duty and FX strategies.
Work out if overseas traction is a growth engine or a distraction.
See what expansion really costs in money, time and focus.
Know when staying local makes sense, and spot the signs to go global.
Register to attend using this form
There is no cost to join, thanks to our partners. Suitability to attend is at our discretion.
AGENDA
LUNCH RECEPTION
Enjoy a sandwich lunch upon arrival.
PANEL DISCUSSION: GLOBAL OR LOCAL?
Panel TBA
A candid discussion on when international growth adds value and when it simply drains time, money and energy. Should your brand double down on market share at home or chase customers abroad? Would extending your product range deliver better returns than selling to new territories? For brands already seeing organic overseas sales, how do you decide whether to lean in or hold back? This debate will help weigh the pros and cons of global expansion.
TALK: BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIPS
Cassie Naughton, Head of Global Sales, Floris London
Cassie Naughton, Head of Global Sales at luxury fragrance house Floris London, will share how she built the brand's global retail presence through partnership and wholesale channels. She will discuss how to align distribution deals with business goals, manage margins and avoid costly mistakes. Cassie is also co-founder of CT Agency, which helps beauty and wellness brands enter global markets by connecting them with international buyers. Expect practical insights on pricing strategies, partnership negotiations and the growth markets that hold the most promise for British and European brands.
COFFEE BREAK
A short pause for refreshments.
PANEL DISCUSSION: AMERICAN DREAMS
Alison Rocks, Sprint Logistics
Antoine Mosneron Dupin, Teleship
Gabriel Guillaud, IMS
The US remains a key target market for many British brands, yet rising duties, shifting tax rules and logistical hurdles have made entry more complex than ever. The US may dominate headlines on tariffs, but global trade is shifting fast, and the strategies for navigating America's challenges can just as powerfully unlock other markets.
Our partner panel of e-commerce enablers will turn concern into clarity, highlighting where genuine opportunities remain. Drawing on expertise in duty calculation, US tax structures and logistics, they will share practical solutions for serving the US profitably, with strategies that also open doors to other promising global markets.
Q&A: SWEET EXPORTS
Darren Litton, Founder, Cocoba
Darren Litton, founder of luxury chocolate brand and café Cocoba, has successfully scaled exports across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and South Korea. In a Q&A conversation, he will share the founding story of Cocoba, why international growth became an important part of the business, and advice for brand leaders on the financial pressures that expansion places on working capital. This session will shed light on the realities of expansion and how to establish and grow retail partnerships abroad.
TALK: CROSS BORDER-TRANSFERS
Shawn Ma, WorldFirst
Whether you already sell internationally or simply pay overseas suppliers, foreign exchange can quietly eat into your profits. In a 7 minute talk, WorldFirst will reveal how leading brands save on cross-border transfers, from receiving income through marketplaces to managing supplier payments. Learn how to take control of FX and keep more of your money working for the business rather than vanishing into bank fees and poor exchange rates.
NETWORKING
End the day with conversation over drinks and nibbles.
Agenda subject to change closer to the event.