MIRA Product Buyer and Controls Officer Kate Willars was recently awarded a Diploma in International Trade at the Institute of Export’s annual graduation ceremony, held at London’s historic Mansion House.
Taking four years to complete, the prestigious course is run by the only professional body in the UK offering recognised, formal qualifications in international trade.
Finishing top of her class, Kate received a number of accolades during the ceremony, including the T&R Insurance Service Prize for the highest mark in International Logistics and Purchasing, The Sumitomo Prize for the highest mark in Practical Global Trading and The Worshipful Company of World Traders silver salver award for the highest marks in Diploma in International Trade.
Kate’s outstanding academic performance culminated in her receiving invitations to become apprenticed to the Worshipful Company of World Traders as well as the opportunity to represent the both the Institute of Export in conjunction with the Worshipful Company of World Traders and MIRA at the upcoming Jubilee Lunch at Westminster Hall – an event due to be attended by the Royal Family.
Speaking at the event, Kate said:
“I’m very happy to receive this award, and I’d like to thank the Institute and MIRA for their continued support. The qualification has given me a good grounding in international trade and the case studies provided a valuable means of applying best practice. I’m confident that achieving the Diploma will help to advance my career opportunities in the future.”
Lesley Batchelor, Director General of the Institute of Export praised the hard work and commitment of all the graduates, recognising the difficulty of combining study with full-time employment.
“Being equipped with skills and know-how in international trade is a vital component of the British economy in our increasingly global 21st Century.
“Every graduate of the Institute can take their newly acquired international trading expertise and maximise the wealth of learning and best practice to build stronger public and private sector organisations to help boost the economy through the predicted flat growth of the next four years.”
