Rachel Blackburn attends DCD London Conference, 17 September 2024

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Published: Saturday, 21 September 2024 16:45

The global data center industry is undergoing rapid transformation and growth, driven by technological advancements and shifting market demands, so it was great that US2U Consulting CEO, Rachel Blackburn, could attend the DCD London conference to learn more so we can support clients across the supply chain.

Rachel attended the DCD in New York back in March 2024, so it was interesting to understand more of the European perspective, although most of the priorities and challenges appear to be global.

The key trends shaping the industry include: trying to make the data centers more environmentally friendly rather than being seen as huge radiators wasting energy; working more closely with communities to breakdown resistance of the construction of new data centers; building hyperscale data centers that can offer massive storage and computing power to handle the exponential growth of data from cloud computing; and AI and big data applications. Like so many sectors, the data center industry is concerned about skills shortages, supply chain shortages and diversity & inclusion.

Rachel said, "I met up with some industry contacts from the New York event and also connected with new people to discuss challenges and opportunities."

Rachel is pictured next to some vintage London buses that were used to take delegates to the Emirates Stadium for the drinks party which continued the networking at the home of Arsenal Football Club.

If you are part of the data center supply chain anywhere in the world, please get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Horsford CC Player Sponsorship - End of Season Roundup

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Published: Thursday, 19 September 2024 16:27

Supporting the community is one of our Sustainability Strategy Pillars. One of our 2024 initiatives has been the sponsorship of a player at Norfolk cricket team Horsford CC.

Following our news story at the beginning of summer when we announced US2U Consulting was sponsoring Will Bryan, we asked him to review his 2024 cricket season as the bats and balls are put away until 2025. Have a read of our interview below:

How was your season overall?

My season was OK overall - my personal performances were steady without being spectacular, however we had a great season as a club with our 1^st team achieving their highest ever finish in the East Anglian Premier League coming 3^rd, our 2^nd team getting promoted from Division 2 of the Norfolk Alliance, and our 3^rd and 4^th teams improving on previous years.

(Click the full story to read more)

Cultural Trip to Japan, August 2024

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Published: Thursday, 12 September 2024 10:24

As management consultants we are passionate about working with clients to improve efficiency and effectiveness whilst developing a respectful culture where all can thrive.

Therefore it was a great opportunity for two of our team to visit key places in Japan recently including Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Hakodate to experience some Japanese efficiency and culture. It was fascinating to experience the bullet train from Kobe to Kyoto - but surprisingly our train appeared to be a few minutes late!

Always keen to promote any British trade opportunities, Rachel Blackburn, pictured in Osaka, proudly wore her Export Champion badge and developed a few interesting contacts to be followed up.

Please get in touch to learn more about how we can support your plans to improve efficiency in your business and/or develop international trade plans by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Nelson's Journey Teddy Bear on Tour in Italy, 22-25 July 2024

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Published: Thursday, 01 August 2024 14:50

You may remember that Norfolk-based US2U Consulting supported the local charity for bereaved children, Nelson's Journey, back in September 2023.

During the September ball, one of the people on the US2U Consulting table bid on and won a stay in Cortona, Tuscany, Italy. US2U Consulting Founder and Director, Rachel Blackburn, was pleased to be able to join the trip and took along one of the Nelson's Journey teddy bears to capture the adventure. Please see the video outlining the adventures below:

The final adventure for this bear was that the owner of a Cortona bar, Il Solco, made a donation to Nelson's Journey so that he can keep the bear in his bar with a view to raising further funds for the charity.

Richard Hancock, Funding & Marketing Officer, Nelson's Journey, said "Thank you to US2U Consulting and your contacts for all your support."

Supporting the community is one of the pillars of the US2U Consulting Sustainability Policy - see more details here.

African Leadership Action in London

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Published: Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:31

US2U Consulting Founder and Director, Rachel Blackburn, joined key leaders from African and Caribbean territories for the 9th African Leadership Magazine Summit at The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London on 17 July 2024. The theme was Africa Unleashed: Navigating Disruptions, Enhancing Opportunities. Supported by Baroness Sandy Verma who is a member of the UK House of Lords, it was an action-packed event with some strong messages. Rachel, pictured with H.E. Hon Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, at the event, also attended the previous summit in New York last September.

Whilst each country or territory appears to have their own specific challenges - including feedback from HS Rinda Hasimbelow, Minister of Economy and Finance, Madagascar, saying that people do not see the country as suitable to do business with as they think there are only animals there and no people - there were some common threads. These included:

 • Africa is no longer a sleeping giant

• Too many decisions about what is best for Africa are made outside of Africa

• Africa needs trade and strong partnerships with businesses across the world, rather than aid to reach its full potential

• Africa needs strong, effective leadership with good governance to remove corruption across the continent

Interestingly, one of the key messages from the agricultural sector is that they want to develop so that Africa can feed the world. Exactly thirty nine years from the Live Aid initiatives across the world founded by Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure in 1985 when the message was that the rest of the world had to feed Africa, this seems like progress indeed.

Please get in touch if you would like to develop trade relationships with the African/Caribbean nations, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Putting the Net into Networking: BritishAmerican Business at Stamford Bridge

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Published: Friday, 05 July 2024 07:15

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn attended a fabulous BritishAmerican Business event held at Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge in London on 27 June 2024.

Rachel was pleased to visit the Director's Lounge at Stamford Bridge for the first time and meet former international football/soccer player Carly Telford, who is now Commercial Manager at Chelsea FC Women, who discussed her career in football.

"As always it is fascinating to be in a unique place meeting so many diverse people with so many interesting personal and business stories to tell" said Rachel.

Vibrant Australian Networking Event Connects Professionals in the Big Apple

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Published: Tuesday, 02 July 2024 02:10

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn was pleased to attend the Australian Consulate General's annual diplomatic networking event in Times Square, New York recently. It was an informal event to get to know colleagues and make new connections within the New York consular, public diplomacy and trade community.

"It was so interesting to meet consular and trade people from around the world in such an iconic setting" said Rachel.

Our First BritishAmerican Business Event in London

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Published: Thursday, 13 June 2024 14:17

On 6th June 2024, BritishAmerican Business, in partnership with HSBC UK and Delta Air Lines & Virgin Atlantic, were delighted to welcome guests to the annual Transatlantic Growth Awards event in London to celebrate the organisations and growth stories that underpin the most successful bi-lateral trade and investment relationship globally.

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO Rachel Blackburn was pleased to be in attendance and it was a poignant place to be as we discussed the special relationship between the two nations on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

We had the pleasure of hearing remarks from Laurie Farris, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of the United States of America, London, alongside TAG sponsors Cora McLaren, Managing Director - International Subsidiary Banking, UK, HSBC UK; Nadia Clinton, Regional Sales Manager UK and Ireland, Delta Air Lines; and Tom Maynard, Head of UK and Europe Sales, Virgin Atlantic.

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US2U Sponsor Horsford Cricket Player for 2024 Season

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Published: Wednesday, 05 June 2024 13:05

For the 2024 cricket season, we are pleased to be continuing our support of Norfolk cricket club Horsford CC by sponsoring one of their players, Will Bryan. Will has been part of Horsford Cricket Club for 22 seasons, since he was eight years old.

Horsford CC compete in numerous regional and national leagues and competitions across a number of men's, women's, youth and senior's teams. They play their home games at Manor Park in Norwich. Read about our previous sponsorship of the club here.

Good luck for this season, Will! He is pictured next to the US2U Consulting sponsorship board at their Manor Park ground.

As One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

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Published: Friday, 24 May 2024 18:01

Since 2009, US2U Consulting has been supported in our International Export work by Leszek Wysocki, International Trade Advisor, Department for Business and Trade.

This support included inviting us to join the UK Trade and Investment Mission to Qatar, Oman and Abu Dhabi in December 2013. This was part of the company's Gateway to Global Growth programme and followed successful projects in Canada, North America, Belgium, France and Bahrain. Leszek attended the Trade Mission with US2U Consulting Founder Rachel Blackburn.

Subsequent to this, US2U Consulting has delivered successful international projects in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, India and the US.

Leszek was also instrumental with our award of Export Champion status from 2020 onwards.

US2U Consulting has also introduced Leszek to some of our clients to support their exporting strategies. One of these is UK-based international recovery truck company Boniface Engineering, part of US-based Miller Industries.

After 22 years in the role, Leszek has decided to retire.

Rachel Blackburn, pictured with Mike Boniface (left) and Leszek (right), said "It has been great to work with Leszek for so long. He will definitely be missed for his knowledge, enthusiasm, commitment and contacts. We wish him all the best for the next chapter in his life."

Mike Boniface presented Leszek with a glass paperweight model truck and said, "We would like to thank Leszek for all the support that he has given Boniface Engineering over the years as we have continued with our European export activities. We have enjoyed great success."