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Proud to be an Export Champion

East of England Export Champion 2020 4Col thumbnail2US2U Consulting have been awarded the prestigious title of 2020 Export Champion by the UK Department for International Trade.

This is in recognition of the international work we have done over the last few years, with international projects and trade visits to the likes of Belgium, Ireland, Canada, USA and across the Middle East - along with the insights our teams can share with other businesses looking to export their goods and services. Read more >>>

Press


Rachel Blackburn's MBE featured in Business Milton Keynes Article

News of Rachel Blackburn's MBE, which she was presented with at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in March 2025, has been featured in Milton Keynes publication 'Business MK', in a spotlight article feature on education and learning in the workplace.

Milton Keynes is the home of the Open University - where Rachel graduated with her MBA degree in 2004. The Business MK article, published in association with the Open University, can be read here, with the feature on Rachel also below:

 

Working and learning: A real investment in your workforce

...Interestingly, one of the recommendations for businesses to unlock their productivity potential includes investing in reskilling and upskilling the workforce.

>> One of our graduates, Rachel Blackburn MBE, exemplifies the learning at work career model. Rachel left school at 16 to forge a very successful business career up to director level while juggling work and formal study, gaining two OU qualifications in management as well as a MBA which she achieved in 2004.

The hard-working high-flyer was delighted to receive a MBE for services to the business community and to exports, travelling to Buckingham Palace in March to be presented with her medal by Anne, The Princess Royal.

Rachel often credits her MBA as a crucial milestone in her journey to founding an international management consultancy business, Norwich-based US2U Consulting Ltd. As the chief executive, she works with businesses and organisations worldwide to provide services such as executive coaching, people development, mentoring and business strategy.

Rachel said: “I see the OU MBA as a critical part of my journey towards being awarded the MBE. It has opened doors to so many opportunities, not just through the competence gained but also via the confidence and credibility it has enabled in the UK and internationally.”

Rachel Blackburn's MBE Featured in Open University Newsletter

News of Rachel Blackburn's MBE investiture at Buckingham Palace has been featured in the April 2025 Open University newsletter. Rachel obtained her MBA degree from the Open University, graduating in 2004.

The newsletter feature reads:

Rachel Blackburn receives MBE at Buckingham Palace

MBA alumna Rachel Blackburn was thrilled to receive her MBE at Buckingham Palace on Friday 28 March.

Rachel, the CEO of Norwich-based US2U Consulting Ltd who works with businesses around the world, was awarded the accolade in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to the Business Community and to Exports. Graduating in 2004, she credits the MBA as a crucial milestone in the journey to founding her international management consultancy business.

She enjoyed the customary two-minute conversation with Anne, The Princess Royal, when presented with her medal, alongside her husband, son and sister as the three invited guests. Rachel said: "I was 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.

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April 2025 E-news: Step into Spring with our April News Summary

Our April 2025 e-newsletter has been published, featuring our latest news roundup.

The 1st April is US2U Consulting's birthday, and this week we celebrated 19 years in business, having started trading on this day in 2006. We reflected on this with a couple of our clients from over the years.

This week it was also a double celebration, as the 28th March saw US2U CEO and Founder Rachel Blackburn awarded her MBE from Anne, Princess Royal, in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace!

Other news includes Rachel's meetings with the British Consulate offices in Sydney and Auckland at the start of 2025, and recent community initiatives we have been involved with in Norfolk, including a Saxon Air helicopter ride over Norwich, a charity auction for Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, and an abseil down The Forum in Norwich to support Nelson's Journey.

Read all of this and more here: US2U Consulting E-news April 2025

Rachel Blackburn Awarded MBE in The King's New Year Honours List 2025

Congratulations to US2U Consulting Founder & CEO Rachel Blackburn, who has been awarded the prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in HM The King's New Year Honours List 2025.

Rachel's MBE award is for services to the Business Community and to Exports.

This recognition highlights Rachel's tireless dedication and outstanding contribution to advancing local, national and international business success whilst supporting a range of community organisations. She has also supported the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda in business and the community.

Read our e-newsletter announcement of this news here. Read the full story of Rachel's MBE in our news section.

Other media and press coverage of the New Year Honours List 2025 and Rachel Blackburn's MBE can be found below:

Official Government New Year Honours List 2025 (Rachel is on page 61)

The Independent: Full New Year Honours List 2025

Norwich Evening News: New Year Honours List 2025 - Rachel Blackburn Named MBE

Eastern Daily Press: New Year Honours List 2025 - Rachel Blackburn Named MBE

UK Government Department for Business & Trade Press Release: Top UK business leaders awarded New Year's Honours

The Open University: OU MBA Alumna recognised in New Year Honours

BBC News: Awards to people from Norfolk

ITV News: Awards to people in the ITV Anglia region

Enterprise Nation: Entrepreneurs Awarded in New Year's Honours 2025

December 2024 E-news: Read US2U's End of Year Roundup

Our December 2024 e-newsletter has been published, taking a look at our news & events our team attended over the last few months as we end the year.

This edition features news of Rachel Blackburn attending September's DCD Conference in London, an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion summit by Tower Bridge, and a Saxon Air charity fundraising ball in Norfolk.

There is also an international theme with the team attending a New York Jets networking event in London in October (coinciding with the NFL's overseas games in the UK), before 'jetting' off to New York for a week-long trade mission. Rachel Blackburn also met the UK's new Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports, Gareth Thomas MP, at an International Trade Week 2024 event in London.

With the festive season now in full swing, the team also attended charity events including The Royal Variety Performance, and NSPCC and The GEM Appeal fundraising events in Manchester.

Read all of this and more here: US2U Consulting E-news December 2024

Visit us2uconsulting.com or Contact us to find out how US2U Consulting can make a positive difference to your organisation, or to be added to our email list. We wish all of our followers, clients and suppliers a relaxing festive period and a successful 2025.