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Yorkshire exporters with China in their sights have an unlikely ally in a media entrepreneur and business consultant with close Yorkshire links.

After graduating from Bradford University in 2003 Stuart Howe set up Studio 163, an independent TV production company based in the city. Four years and a string of successful projects later, including working on productions with the legendary golfer Nick Faldo and Channel 4's Phil Spencer from Relocation, Relocation, Stuart found himself in China working as an international language consultant.

As well as working on a number of Chinese-based productions Stuart began receiving requests to find British firms manufacturing contracts in the world's most populous nation. But there was a problem. Although he had assiduously learned Mandarin Chinese during his time in the country, his grasp of the language was insufficient for the cut and thrust of business.

"I decided that in 2008 I would take extended leave and go to China with a purpose of learning the language alongside working with the manufacturers to meet quality control as well as trying to find out as much as I could about the culture, business customs and so on," Stuart explains. "A year later, after successfully graduating from a one year intermediate language program at Beijing Language and Culture University, I was conversationally fluent.

"I began working with Blue Ocean Network to produce a number of travel shows and documentaries using local Chinese resources. This was when I realised that the language I had already learnt wasn't nearly enough for the business/media industry here in China. Sitting in on meetings and asking questions wherever possible quickly progressed my language skills.

"Just like in England the way we speak English conversationally is different to a business environment, China is no different. The same goes for the way it is written. However my improved language skills means that networking has since become easier and as a result I have since gained experience in both media and also manufacturing."

Stuart's final step up the linguistic ladder came thanks to the John Speak Trust, run by Bradford Chamber. This is an annual scholarship helping young Bradford business people to improve their language skills and has been running since 1924.

This has enabled Stuart and Studio 163 to broker production deals between the UK and China offering consultancy and production services.

"With China having the world's largest population at 1.6 billion there is no doubt that there is an enormity of consumer power. For businesses in Bradford and Yorkshire, entering this market can only be beneficial," he adds.

"The West is highly regarded in China in terms of products, quality standards and services and it would be a mistake not to use this to the UK's advantage. Just as we import from China because it's cheap, we can also export to China because of the high quality standards or the uniqueness and the experience of what we can offer.  

"Both Bradford and Yorkshire in general are full of different cultures so as well as learning a lot from China, we can also offer a lot.  Why not work together with one of the biggest economic forces in the international market?."

To find out more about the John Speak Scholarship scheme click here