International Forum London: Scaling your business overseas

International Forum London: Scaling your business overseas

3:00pm - 5:00pm, 23 June 2026
(Europe/London)

Event Details

International Forum

Tuesday 23rd June

Registrations and refreshments 2:30pm-3:00pm

Meeting: 3:00pm-5:00pm

Venue: Trowers & Hamlins, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ

Networking drinks from 5:00pm

Kindly sponsored by

Meeting Agenda

Welcome and introduction

Stephen Shorter, Group CEO, Cobalt Recruitment


 

APSCo update

Stuart Feast, Global Enterprise Director, APSCo


 

The world awaits – knowing when the time is right for taking your business abroad

Charles Daw, Managing Director, Giant Global Payroll


If you have clients looking to expand overseas you are likely hoping to match their ambition and support them with their growth. However, whilst it may seem convenient to service clients abroad from the UK, there comes a point where that is no longer sufficient and you have to take the leap and put ‘boots on the ground’.

Charles will examine what that journey looks like, the pros and cons of recruiting abroad from the UK, and the tipping point(s) to be aware of that could indicate that it really is time to hire or relocate staff abroad.

 

 

Panel Discussion: Mapping out your overseas business journey

Our panellists will examine the journey to international expansion, from servicing overseas clients from the UK through to hiring boots on the ground, what were the tell-tale signs that prompted them to expand abroad.

 

Spencer Trigg, CEO, QCS

Jamie Cassell, Partner, Saffery

Sean Moran, Managing Director, Orara

Charles Daw, Managing Director, Giant Global Payroll


 

 

Leader Exchange

Maximise your time at this meeting with our Leader Exchange session - this is designed to deliver tangible outcomes. Guided by experienced business professionals, this discussion will ensure you gain real value from your attendance. You’ll collaborate with sector peers to tackle key challenges and leave with clear, actionable strategies you can implement immediately. This session isn’t just a conversation, it’s designed to be a catalyst for measurable business impact.

 

Facilitators:

Jamie Cassell, Partner, Saffery

Sean Moran, Managing Director, Orara

Spencer Trigg, CEO, QCS

Stephen Shorter, Group CEO, Cobalt Recruitment

Speakers

Sean Moran
Sean Moran

Orara, MD

Sean Moran is a recruitment strategist who brings over a nearly two decades of expertise to talent acquisition challenges. As Managing Director of The ORARA Group, he specialises in designing bespoke solutions for recruitment organisations ranging from ambitious start-ups to established enterprises. with particular depth of knowledge in the life sciences sector.

A recognised authority on corporate governance within the contractor/freelancer market, Sean's expertise spans the UK, EU, Americas and APAC regions, enabling clients to navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence and compliance.

His policy influence extends to governmental level, having provided guidance to the UK Government and the Department for Business & Trade during the development of the new Employment Rights Bill, a testament to his comprehensive understanding of workforce legislation.

Known for his analytical approach, Sean combines meticulous market analysis with innovative methodologies to create talent strategies that deliver measurable advantages. His work has produced documented efficiencies of 15-20% through outcome-based models and expanded global talent pools across European and Asian markets.

Sean serves on APSCo's public policy board, contributing his expert knowledge of worker classification regulations and governance frameworks to industry-wide discussions. A frequent speaker at sector events, he advocates for recruitment practices built upon robust governance, compliance, and ethical foundations.

While enthusiastic about technological advancement, particularly AI-enhanced analytics, Sean remains committed to solutions that augment rather than replace human expertise. His mission is to elevate recruitment's standing as a trusted professional service through rigorous standards and strategic partnership.

Jamie Cassell
Jamie Cassell

Saffery, Head of the Recruitment Sector Group

Jamie joined Saffery Champness’ Business Advisory Group in 2014, after spending the majority of his career at a top six accountancy firm. Throughout his career, he has worked with highly skilled entrepreneurs of owner-managed businesses, as well as venture capital and private equity backed companies, international groups and AIM listed companies.

Jamie’s priority is to provide exceptional client service and ensure that he and his team deliver on this all year round. He builds close relationships with his clients and meets with them regularly to discuss commercial and strategic developments, as well as identifying and addressing key issues that will help the companies continue to grow and develop.

He has experience of dealing with a wide range of UK GAAP/US GAAP and IFRS technical issues, as well as assisting on acquisitions and disposals of businesses through transactional support services.

Jamie’s clients have come from a wide range of sectors that include technology, media and telecoms, manufacturing, retail and recruitment. A number of his audit clients have been in the technology sector, where he has helped companies grow from start-ups to strong established businesses.

Through leading the audit of a number of international groups, he has gained experience of dealing with international offices and overseas matters in countries such as USA, Germany and Czech Republic.

Spencer Trigg

QCS Staffing, CEO

As a hands-on CEO with deep expertise across business development, legal & compliance, marketing, operations, and launching new global ventures, Spencer spent his career building and scaling a successful business in the technical services and recruitment industry. With strategic foresight, relentless drive, and a healthy dose of entrepreneurial spirit, he has led his company with Co-CEO David Broome into a thriving, multi-million-pound international enterprise. 

He believes that great companies are built by great people. That’s why Spencer is passionate about promoting from within, empowering teams, and fostering a culture where everyone’s voice matters. His leadership style is rooted in a democratic approach—encouraging collaboration, open dialogue, and values-driven decision-making.

Outside of business, he has twin boys, and loves spending time running around after them which keeps him very well entertained.  A passionate supporter of Spurs, he also enjoy watching sports and playing tennis.

Charles Daw
Charles Daw

Giant Group, Sales Director

Charles is a Director of Giant Global Payroll and a specialist in international workforce solutions. With over 20 years’ experience, he has helped recruitment agencies and global organisations engage and manage talent compliantly across multiple jurisdictions. Charles has previously held senior leadership roles at CXC Global, Workr International and co-founded 6CATS International, focusing on global payroll, EOR and contractor management solutions.

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