preparing SMEs for digital trade through a partnership built on common ground. SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, with approximately 5.8 million of these enterprises in existence today. Despite this impressive figure, which is also on the rise, Jane told us how only around 12% of these businesses engage in international trade. More worryingly, she added, is that this figure is on the decline. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that the current climate makes exporting feel like an uphill battle. At the heart of these frustrations is the fact that the standard accounting software used by many SMEs is not suitably equipped for exporting, with this putting many people off. Going one step further, Jane commented: “I know that export requirements are not straightforward, since paperwork, origin statements, and documents vary by product and country. And that goes some way in explaining why solutions don’t readily exist. But if you strip it down to basics, there are a small number of common requirements needed.” On the back of this insight, Jane decided to take a proactive approach to preparing SMEs for digital trade, a vision made possible by a partnership with Boex. Sharing Jane’s motivation for improving lives through the power of export, Boex leveraged the capabilities stemming from its affordable platform and transferable data to work on a solution that would help eradicate the headache of electronic documents for these businesses. Together, Jane and Boex have created a ground-up solution that has been designed and executed with SMEs in mind. Today, the Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (C4DTI) is working to drive £25B in combined SME growth, as well as a further £1B through SME trade finance. Thus, this is more than just a piece of software, it is a platform setting the standard for growth, efficiency, and empowerment, thanks to its provision of an accessible and affordable electronic trade method offering numerous benefits for SMEs. Breaking things down, C4DTI strongly advocates automated digital trade processes, since it reduces manual errors, accelerates transition times, and frees up SMEs’ invaluable human resources. The results are increased productivity and an immediate quantifiable value (or financial asset) when an order is placed. This is just the beginning, with plans in place for Boex to be able to fully finance the order on its own, without waiting for payment to mature. Ultimately, the Boex and Jointine co-venture achievement is especially noteworthy because it directly benefits a key segment of the economy that has historically been overlooked, as well as underserved by the complex technological solutions that are today inherent in other areas of industry. It provides SMEs with the essential tools they need to compete and thrive in an increasingly digital world, and this is certainly a feat worth championing. Recognised as the Exporting Digital Champion of the Year 2025 as a result of this initiative, it is clear that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the success and lasting impact Jane Smith has nurtured through her tenure as the MD of Jointine Products (Lincoln) Ltd. We wish this influential leader all the best as she continues to drive lasting change. Contact: Jane Smith Company: Jointine Products (Lincoln) Ltd Web Address: https://jointine.co.uk/
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