Gerald Bratley MCIEx
Author, Exporter and Observer of the Modern World
For almost six decades, Gerald Bratley worked in international trade, travelling to more than sixty countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australasia, the Caribbean and North America.
His career began in Yorkshire industry in the 1960s and developed through export management, overseas manufacturing, consultancy and government trade promotion. Along the way, he lived and worked in Bahrain, Malaysia and South Korea, witnessed the transformation of global trade, and gained first-hand experience of different cultures, political systems, industries and regions affected by conflict and reconstruction.
During those 6 decades he worked for and with large public listed companies, starting at the Yorkshire Copper Works in Leeds, and then the Hepworth Ceramic Holdings Group, then Chambers of Commerce, Government Ministers, and the Commercial teams in British Embassy’s and High Commissions abroad and many Small to Medium Enterprises throughout the United Kingdom. with whom he worked so closely with that 12 of them made him a company director.
Gerald Bratley visited over 60 countries chasing International Trade, which involved much travel. His overseas travel was so often that he was issued with two concurrent passports so he could obtain visas in one while travelling on the other
His first books were on the subject he knew best and titled “International Trade” and “Export for Beginners” respectively.
He first was granted full membership of the Institute of Export in 1974 and proudly became a MIEx in 2023 the Institute was granted a Royal charter and he became a full member (MCIEx) of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade.
Today, he writes from that experience.
His books explore international trade, working life, travel, British democracy, inherited power, cultural conflict, engineering, modern systems and electric vehicles.
Featured Book
The Export Adventurer
A Life in International Trade Before Globalisation Went Digital
A personal account of nearly six decades in international trade, from Yorkshire industry to overseas markets across more than sixty countries.
The book reveals what exporting actually involved before email, mobile phones and instant communication, when success depended on preparation, cultural understanding, personal relationships and the willingness to travel.
Discover The Export Adventurer
Books by Gerald Bratley
Gerald Bratley’s books range across memoir, international trade, politics, history, engineering and technology.
They are united by one principle: important subjects are best understood not only through theory, but through first-hand experience, practical observation and a willingness to question accepted explanations.
Latest Articles
The articles draw on a lifetime of international experience and examine subjects including:
- exporting and international business;
- travel and working life;
- British politics and democracy;
- history, culture and conflict;
- engineering and technology;
- electric vehicles and transport.
About the Author
Gerald Bratley MCIEx began his export career in 1967 and went on to work across a wide range of industries and international markets.
In 1993, he was seconded to the Department of Trade and Industry as Export Promoter for Korea at Grade 7 level, working with ministers, embassies, senior civil servants and British companies seeking to develop business in one of the world’s fastest-growing industrial economies.
His writing combines practical knowledge, personal experience, historical context and an independent point of view.