A note from our editor 
Welcome

Firstly, it is great to be writing to you as Editor for the first time.  Lynn is still involved in our editing process and Horizon is certainly a team effort and without Lynn, Tracey, Chloe and our contributors we would not be able to bring you such a varied, in-depth and useful magazine.

​

This edition marks the end of 2024 and the begining of 2025, a period which people generally use to reflext on what has been and to plan what is to come.  For businesses who trade internationally, 2024 has been another year of uncertainty.  Various crises across the world have either continued or heightened, and we've all witnessed some degree of political uncertainty with an estimated 64 countries (plus the EU) hosting national elections during this past year.

​

As such, we hope that 2025 can bring with is the stability that all businesses need to efficiently plan and maximise their potential.  There will be a lot of businesses who link their growth plans for 2025 to trading internationally.  That may be targeting a new market or, simply starting to trade internationally for the first time.

​

To help businesses achieve these aims (and ultimately grow their business) we need global co-operation to make international trade as accessible as possible.  This does not simply concern tariff rates, but also the accessibility of information for smaller businesses, mutual recognition of qualifications to help the service sector and the continuing digitalisation of trade documents.

​

I hope that throughout 2025, Horizon Magazine, and the supplementary podcast series which will be launched in January, can continue to provide you with the support, guidance and confidence that you need to start, grow or improve your international trade.

​

As always, I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading.

​​​​

Ben Bradford - Chief Editor