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What the role is

DBT Export Champion is an appointed role within the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Export Champions programme. Export Champions are experienced business people — founders, operators, and leaders who have successfully sold into international markets — who volunteer their time to support other UK businesses at earlier stages of their export journey. The role is peer-to-peer and practical: sharing lived experience of what works in export strategy, market entry, and international business development rather than delivering policy guidance.

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What James does in the role

The Export Champion role draws directly on James Varga’s international commercial experience — building DirectID into markets outside Scotland and the UK, navigating enterprise sales in European financial services, and understanding the regulatory and operational requirements of cross-border business in fintech and regulated sectors. Activities include: speaking at export-focused events such as the UK Export Academy webinar series, participating in DBT-organised peer exchange sessions, and engaging directly with businesses exploring international market entry. The fintech, open banking, and regulated-market context is particularly applicable to Scottish businesses entering European financial services markets. James also holds the FinTech Champion for Scotland role, supporting the growth and international visibility of Scotland’s fintech sector through advocacy, mentoring, and representation at international events.

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UK Export Academy

James Varga has spoken at the UK Export Academy — a webinar series run by the Department for Business and Trade that provides practical guidance on international trade. The 2025 session covered export strategy for technology companies, including market selection, regulatory navigation, and building commercial traction in new geographies. The Export Academy programme is documented on business.gov.uk.

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Why it matters

The Export Champion role is a formal mechanism for contributing the international commercial pattern knowledge documented in this wiki back into the Scottish and UK business ecosystem. It connects directly to the Ecosystem building in Scotland and Fintech GTM knowledge areas. It is also a current operating reference point — the conversations with businesses navigating export challenges inform ongoing framework development and provide cross-sectional insight into the specific barriers Scottish businesses face in international markets.