An international trade and healthcare expert has been appointed by the IoD to support North Yorkshire businesses.

Ian Garner, a director of Practical Solutions Management and patron of ExportExchange, has joined the business leaders’ organisation as an Ambassador.

The Ambassador network consists of high-profile business leaders who represent and promote the IoD in their area.

Ian has 10 years’ experience in strategy and business development with Bupa across Australia, Europe, North America, West Africa and South East Asia, with a focus on long-term aged care and out-patient healthcare. He spent 20 years in retail management with Thomas Cook and five years in sales and relationship management roles with Travelex

Ian said: “I will represent the interests of the IoD in Yorkshire and promote the benefits of membership to business people across the region. I hope to share some of the experience I have accrued over more than 40 years in business.

“We are living in interesting times. The business world is in a constant state of flux and businesses need to work hard to keep their businesses stable through the turbulence. I believe businesses, large and small, continuously need to ‘stress test’ to make sure they can survive the political and economic challenges and uncertainties that may lie ahead.”

Ian will join fellow Ambassadors at the IoD’s Open House event at its regional headquarters in Cloth Hall Court, Leeds, on 14 May.

Jon Geldart, chairman of the IoD in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “I am delighted that we have Ian joining us as our ambassador with an accent on export and healthcare. We have a strong North Yorkshire committee, which helps to ensure that this important region has a strong voice on national policy matters.”

Other IoD Ambassadors in North Yorkshire include Harrogate entrepreneur Steve Williams, sports business expert Tony Webster and former CBI regional director Andrew Palmer.