US2U Support the Norfolk Ambassadors Programme Launch at The Royal Norfolk Show, with Chauffeuring by Silverline Limousines

Details

Published: Friday, 27 June 2025 11:35

The Norfolk Business Board was proud to officially launch its Norfolk Ambassadors Programme at The Royal Norfolk Show on Wednesday 25 June 2025 and Rachel Blackburn MBE, Founder and CEO of international management consultancy, US2U Consulting Ltd, is pleased to be one of the Ambassadors.

The Programme's mission is simple but powerful: to amplify the voices of businesses in our region so that Norfolk gets the national and international recognition and opportunities that it deserves.

Rachel said "Having always lived in Norfolk but having a local, national and international focus I am keen to work with the other Ambassadors to identify how we can influence positive business change for the county. It will be interesting to see how our diverse backgrounds and skill sets come together to create an exotic recipe to make a positive difference.

On the day we were also pleased to connect with another proud Norfolk business - Silverline Limousines, who provided chauffeuring for US2U Consulting colleagues to and from the Show.

"As a long-established Norfolk Business that is passionate about delivering high-quality chauffeuring services for our clients, we are delighted that we could support the launch of the Norfolk Ambassadors Programme by taking some of the US2U Consulting Team to and from The Royal Norfolk Show. We are keen to support the Programme with any of the chauffeuring requirements around continuing to put Norfolk on the map as a great place to do business" said the Managing Director of Silverline Limousines.

Watch this space for details of the Norfolk Ambassadors Programme progress.

We were also pleased to be joined by a client to support the Programme launch, Thomas Whiskin, Managing Direcitor of Great Yarmouth-based ASAMS Limited (pictured below with Rachel).

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how US2U Consulting could help your business, in Norfolk or elsewhere, to become more successful.

US2U Consulting Celebrates Fifth Year Sponsoring Horsford Cricket Club

Details

Published: Thursday, 12 June 2025 15:56

US2U Consulting is proud to mark its fifth consecutive year sponsoring Horsford Cricket Club, continuing a partnership rooted in shared values and local community support.

First established in 2021, this sponsorship reflect's US2U's ongoing commitment to its Sustainability Policy - specifically, its focus on supporting the community. Over the years, this has included club sponsorship, player sponsorship and support, and helping to support the other local initiatives and events that Horsford Cricket Club promote throughout the season.

"This partnership is about more than just getting the US2U Consulting name out there - it's about giving back to our local community, supporting opportunities for people to thrive and enabling Horsford Cricket Club to maintain their first-class standards and facilities at their home ground of Manor Park in Norwich" said Rachel Blackburn, US2U Consulting Founder & CEO.

As the 2025 season begins, we look forward to hearing about Horsford CC's continued success on and off the pitch!

GYDA - The Growth Summit for Agency Leaders in London

Details

Published: Wednesday, 21 May 2025 11:52

Founder and CEO of US2U Consulting, Rachel Blackburn, was pleased to attend The Growth Summit for Agency Leaders in London on Wednesday 7th May 2025.

"A massive thank you for joining us at GYDA Summit 2025... what an awesome day it was! From sales to strategy, AI to communications, our speakers covered topics that certainly had the breaks buzzing with conversations" said Robert Craven, Founder of GYDA who is pictured with Rachel Blackburn.

Robert has supported US2U Consulting with our international marketing strategies via the Exporting Programme at Cranfield University and is also one of our Associate Consultants, so please get in touch to learn how he could support you with your business development strategies.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

Strengthening UK and Belgium Relationships

Details

Published: Wednesday, 21 May 2025 10:46

As an Export Champion, Rachel Blackburn, CEO US2U Consulting, attended the Belgium event "Walloon CleanTech Innovators greet British Actors" in London on Monday 28th April 2025, discussing how we can collaborate internationally to develop technology to support the construction and energy sectors around the Net Zero agenda.

This was followed by a networking evening hosted at the Belgium Ambassador's Residence in Belgrave Square. We have started to strengthen UK/Belgium trade relationships since the event.

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Rachel This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rachel is pictured with HE Jeroen Cooreman, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the United Kingdom.

Focus on International Debt Collection

Details

Published: Friday, 09 May 2025 13:32

Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay was one of the speakers at the International Debt Collection Network, TCM Group event in London on Friday 9th May.

Liz, pictured with US2U Consulting CEO Rachel Blackburn, has been passionate about improving the late payment situation for businesses for a number of years and whilst the situation appears to be improving, she cited big company lack of awareness of the importance of prompt payment and inefficent payment processes as two of the causes.

Other speakers outlined late payment situations in France, Sweden and China. It was interesting to see the difference in approaches based on local legislation and also cultural mindset regarding what is seen to be acceptable.

To discuss your international business strategy, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Empowering Women in Global Trade: Connect, Grow, Succeed

Details

Published: Tuesday, 15 April 2025 14:54

CEO of US2U Consulting and Export Champion, Rachel Blackburn MBE was asked to speak on the Inspirational Women's Panel at the Department for Business and Trade's Empowering Women in Global Trade event in London on 1st April 2025.

Attended by around 100 business people, the aim was to encourage female business leaders to consider exporting as part of their growth strategy.

Rachel was on the panel with some other successful female exporters: Julianne Ponon MBE, CEO of Creative Nature, Nagma Ebanks Beni MBE, Co-CEO of Prima Cheese and Dr Grace Olugbodi, CEO of BeGenio.

Each person shared an overview of their international business story and focused on advice for other people planning to export their products or services.

There was also an opportunity for attendees to have 1:1 meetings with panel members during or after the event to gain specific business advice.

The DBT events team said "Your insights were invaluable and it was good to see the impact of the presentations on the attendees. We really appreciate your time and your contribution reallty helped to make this event a success."

Rachel is pictured with one of the attendess; Selena Morris, Founder of alt*ego.

The UK government's Export Support Service, available at www.great.gov.uk, is a great starting place for UK companies considering exporting for the first time, or expanding into new markets. Finding a local international trade advisor can also be an effective way to begin your exporting journey.

If you would like to be inspired to start or continue your exporting journey then please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Modern Slavery Legislation – 10 years on… 26th March 2025

Details

Published: Tuesday, 15 April 2025 14:25

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn participated in the Modern Slavery Intelligence Network conference at Tesco's Head Office in Welwyn Garden City on 26th March 2025.

Introduced by Claire Donovan, CEO MSIN and supported largely by the UK food industry, the aims of the conference were to drive awareness and membership of the MSIN, intelligence sharing and the power of disruption.

Key messages included:

• We need to continue to be proactive to eliminate modern slavery from our supply chains; there are still too many cases of vulnerable people being taken advantage of in the UK and overseas. New statutory guidance is available on the UK government website.

• People using foodbanks, homeless shelters and volunteering at charity shops can be targeted by people keen to exploit them, for example by offering work at less than the minimum wage requirements.

• People who have been modern slaves wish to have empathy rather than sympathy; they wish to be described as survivors rather than victims and do not wish to be described as slaves. There is a need to focus on dignity and respect.

• It is still viewed that people in the UK generally have a narrow view of modern slavery, eg an image of someone chained up, as slavery may have looked like this in the past; ignoring other forms such as coercive control, or being made to made to make payments to guarantee more work.

Rachel, pictured with Claire with whom she has worked over several years, said, "It's great to see the awareness being raised across the food supply chains, although we know that other sectors including construction and even technology can be opportunities for bad practice to creep in."

To explore more about making your people more aware of modern slavery and avoid cases being exposed against your brand and/or across your supply chain, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Norwich Disability Conference: Understanding & Addressing the Needs of Millions

Details

Published: Monday, 14 April 2025 14:08

Founder and CEO of US2U Consulting Rachel Blackburn attended a Disability Confident Coffee and Connect event in Norwich to learn more about what employers can do to enable a more inclusive workplace.

Hosted by the Department of Work and Pensions, the session included case studies of what employers, including financial services business Aviva, are doing to include people with physical and mental health disabilities to stay well at work.

Discussion topics included:

• What businesses are doing to employ people with health conditions or disabilities

• Managing the challenges and misconceptions

• Celebrating successes of enabling more all-inclusive workplaces

Following attendance, US2U Consulting have registered to join the government's Disability Confident scheme which is open to employers of all sizes that wish to:

• Challenge attitudes towards disability

• Increase understanding of disability

• Explore removing barriers to people with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions

• Ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations

"I am pleased that we are able to learn from the DWP and other employers regarding practical steps that can be taken to enable workplaces to be all inclusive. This applies to our work environment at US2U Consulting as well as advice we give to our clients regarding recruitment, leadership and development of their people. It all fits within our company value of Encouraging Diversity." said Rachel.

We're pleased to be #DisabilityConfident

Please contact Rachel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how we can work with you to make your workplace more inclusive, managing all of the protected characteristics effectively.

Rachel Blackburn Receives MBE Medal from Anne, The Princess Royal at Investiture Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, 28th March 2025

Details

Published: Wednesday, 02 April 2025 08:09

It was a special day celebrating the MBE Investiture of US2U Consulting Founder & CEO, Rachel Blackburn, at Buckingham Palace on Friday 28th March 2025.

It was a fantastic day for Rachel, walking through the gates of the Palace and being presented with her MBE medal from Anne, The Princess Royal, alongside her husband, son & sister as the three invited guests recipients can bring along with them to the ceremony.

During the customary two-minute conversation that recipients have with the member of The Royal Family presenting the award, Rachel spoke with Her Royal Highness about establishing her business, US2U Consulting, in 2006; the hard work that has followed over the last nineteen years - with Princess Anne often renowned as the hardest-working Royal; and Rachel's ambitions of continuing to put Norfolk on the international map from a business and exporting point of view.

Rachel was awarded her MBE in the New Year Honours List 2025 for services to Business & to Exports (read the full announcement story here).

The day was topped off by perfect spring weather for photos in the courtyard and outside Buckingham Palace, before heading to Claridge's for a celebratory lunch. It was great for Rachel to be joined by other family and friends who had come down to London to celebrate too.

Congratulations Rachel, from the US2U Consulting team!

Thank you for the celebratory messages we have received on Rachel's behalf. Watch the videos below for a glimpse into the morning spent at Buckingham Palace.

"I am humbled and honoured to be in receipt of this MBE award from The Princess Royal, and being able to celebrate at Buckingham Palace with family and friends. It's an amazing way to end March 2025!" said Rachel after the ceremony.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how she and US2U Consulting team can make a positive difference to your business, or assist with your own exporting journey.

US2U Consulting Celebrates 19th Birthday: Achieving Success Together

Details

Published: Tuesday, 01 April 2025 12:21

US2U Consulting celebrated its 19th birthday on 1st April 2025, having started trading on this date in 2006.

This also makes for a double celebration this year, as this date comes just four days after Rachel received her MBE for services to Business & Exports at Buckingham Palace from Anne, The Princess Royal, in recognition for the achievement and contributions made through her journey with US2U Consulting. Read the full story of Rachel's MBE investiture ceremony here.

A big thank you to all of our clients, suppliers, team members, and everyone else who has been a part of our journey during the last nineteen years.

Achieving Success Together

We have only achieved 19 years in business and Rachel's MBE recognition with the support of our great team who are all passionate about what they do, our clients and our suppliers. In fact, US2U Consulting's first company strapline was 'Achieving Success Together', recognising this ethos which remains at the heart of all we do.

We are pleased to share a couple of examples of this from our UK-based exporting clients below.

Boniface Engineering was US2U Consulting's first ever client, and Rachel visited their premises in Thetford, Norfolk this week with her MBE medal to reflect on many years of working together.

Mike Boniface, Managing Director of Boniface Engineering, said, "Congratulations to US2U Consulting on their 19th anniversary and to Rachel for being awarded an MBE. As a leading recovery vehicle manufacturer and part of US-based Miller Industries, we were US2U Consulting's first client back in 2006 and they continue to support our business with a variety of services. Exporting is a critical part of our business growth plans. Our key export markets include Germany and Scandinavian countries. Exporting has enabled us to expand our business, increase turnover, create more good jobs and increase our profitability."

Rachel then visited ETA Green Power in Hethel, Norfolk, who US2U Consulting have supported on their growth plans over a number of years.

ETA was founded to fill the gap in the market for high-performance electric drive systems, breaking away from standard "off-the-shelf" products that often compromise on performance; leading market transformation, and delivering unmatched eco-efficiency and cost advantages with their patented technology.

David Morgan, CEO of ETA Green Power, said "Congratulations to US2U Consulting and to Rachel on receiving the MBE. US2U Consulting have been assisting our Management Team to advance their effective leadership skills to support our commercial objectives. We have developed a game-changing high density Electric Drive System to support the Off Highway sector in accelerating electrification and support emission reductions. The US2U team have understood our needs and responded well to our priorities."

David and Rachel attended the CBI trade mission to India in 2023 to explore market opportunities, visiting Delhi and Mumbai.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find our how US2U Consulting can make a positive difference to your organisation and help you achieve success in 2025 and beyond.