Freeports are special areas within the UK’s borders where different economic regulations apply. By delivering investment on specific sites benefitting from tax and customs incentives, freeports could create thousands of high-quality jobs in some of our most disadvantaged communities.

UK Freeports are special economic 45km zones, within the UK’s borders, centred around one or more air, rail, or seaport, where different economic regulations apply. UK Freeports will play a crucial part in the UK’s post COVID-19 recovery, helping to build back better, driving clean growth and contributing to the ‘levelling up’ agenda.

By delivering investment on specific sites benefitting from tax and customs incentives, freeports could create thousands of high-quality jobs in some of our most disadvantaged communities. These sites have been carefully selected for their suitability for development by local authorities and key private partners and sit within an outer boundary, which represents the geographical location within which the benefits of freeports are targeted and does not in itself confer any special tax, customs or other status.

The Presenters

Louise Di Blasi has over 20 years’ experience working with in International Trade, Consultancy and Freeports. Head of Customs at LCR Freeport Louise is an IOE customs consultant supporting businesses on their Freeport journey from initial business suitability review, business development, providing guidance and support throughout their CSO application.

Louise is a Customs Consultant at the Institute of Export and has a wealth of knowledge in customs, with previous experience as an International Trade Adviser at the Department of International Trade and as a Buyer over several years for two of the largest retailers within the UK.

Giles Jones is Project Manager at Liverpool City Region Freeport. LCR Freeport is a multi-modal special economic zone facilitating trade and driving growth in the UK’s advanced manufacturing, biomanufacturing, logistics, and low carbon industries. In this role Giles is responsible for liaising with public and private sector partners to drive delivery of the Freeport. Prior to assuming this role Giles was employed by the UK’s Department for International Trade for four years.