Hooper and Co

What Hooper and Co does

Hooper and Co International Trade Consultancy Ltd is a UK-based boutique advisory firm specializing in customs and international trade compliance. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Hinckley, Leicestershire, the firm operates through the legal entity Independent Freight Solutions Limited and is led by Managing Director David Hooper (MBA, 25+ years in international trade). The company's core offering is split into two service pillars: (1) Consultancy Services covering customs audits, strategic reviews of customs/import/export procedures, special customs procedures and authorisations, and ongoing day-to-day trade compliance support; and (2) Training Services including on-site 1-2-1 training, bespoke training programs, and online workshops delivered across an 8-module curriculum (e.g., Postponed VAT Accounting, Free Trade Agreements, E-Commerce Exports). A dedicated CBAM compliance service was launched in June 2025 to help UK manufacturers prepare for EU and UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism requirements.

The business operates a sales-led, direct-engagement model targeting UK businesses engaged in international trade, from first-time importers/exporters to experienced multinational players. Customer segments span private-sector enterprises (e.g., Marshall's Industrial, St Pierre Group, Danecca Limited), chambers of commerce (Coventry & Warwickshire, Black Country), and government/public sector departments. Distribution occurs through direct consultancy delivery, chamber-of-commerce channel partnerships, and online training delivery — all within a single-country (UK) focus, with limited EU and US exposure noted.

The firm is privately held, founder-owned, and bootstrapped, with no external funding or parent company. The team is small, comprising roughly five personnel plus support. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and pricing is fully bespoke based on engagement scope and contract length (short-term guidance through multi-year partnerships). The company has no AI, API, or software product surface; its value proposition rests entirely on human expertise, regulatory knowledge, and established relationships with chambers of commerce and public sector bodies.

Name

Hooper and Co

Legal name

Independent Freight Solutions Limited

Website

https://hooperandco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hooper and Co International Trade Consultancy Ltd is a UK-based boutique advisory firm founded in 2014, providing customs compliance, import/export consultancy, and structured training to UK businesses, chambers of commerce, and government departments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Trade Consultancy

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Global Trade & Customs / Trade Compliance (BPAHAHAG)

Keywords

• Customs consultancy
• International trade advisory
• Customs compliance training
• Import export procedures
• Trade compliance audits

Headquarters

HQ city

Nuneaton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Training Services: In-house, online and open workshop courses covering customs procedures, import/export processes, and international trade compliance.
2. Consultancy Services: Strategic review of customs procedures, special customs procedures and authorizations, import/export support, customs audits, and day-to-day business support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hooper and Co provides specialist customs and international trade consultancy services to UK businesses engaged in importing and exporting. Its offering comprises two service pillars: (1) Consultancy services covering strategic reviews of customs procedures, special customs procedures and authorisations, import/export advisory, customs audits, and day-to-day business support; and (2) Training services delivered as 1-2-1 on-site sessions, bespoke training programs, and online workshops on a structured curriculum. A dedicated CBAM compliance service was launched in June 2025.

Product overview

Hooper & Co International Trade Consultancy Ltd is a UK-based customs and international trade consultancy established in 2014, offering a portfolio of advisory and training services rather than a software product. The core offering comprises two service pillars: (1) Consultancy Services including Customs Audit, Customs Consultancy, Import/Export Support, Special Customs Procedures and Authorisations, and Strategic Review of procedures; and (2) Training Services including 1-2-1 Training Support, Bespoke Training, and Online Workshops structured around workshop topic curriculum. A specialist CBAM Service was launched in June 2025 to address carbon border adjustment compliance needs. All services are tailored to businesses of all sizes engaged in international trade.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategic Review of Customs, Export and Import Procedures Comprehensive consultancy engagement that performs a deep-dive analysis of a client's existing customs, export, and import processes and procedures, with recommendations for improvement. For UK businesses engaged in international trade that require an independent assessment of their current operating model.
• Special Customs Procedures and Authorisations
• Import/Export Support and Consultancy
• Customs Consultancy
• Customs Audit
• 1-2-1 Training Support
• Bespoke Training
• Online Workshops
• Workshop Topics (Training Curriculum)
• CBAM Service Dedicated CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) compliance advisory service launched in June 2025, supporting UK manufacturers with emissions data collection, supply chain mapping, and regulatory guidance for the EU and UK CBAM regimes. For UK manufacturers needing carbon border compliance support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported hundreds of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber members through training programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Independent Freight Solutions LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company providing freight forwarding and logistics services. Refers clients requiring customs brokerage and freight forwarding. David Hooper's freight forwarding company established prior to the consultancy. Both companies share expertise in supporting businesses with international trade needs.
• Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of CommercecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing partnership for delivery of training courses and workshops covering importing, exporting, and specialized customs procedures to Chamber members.
• Black Country Chamber of CommercecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOngoing delivery of export and import procedure workshops both online and in person for Chamber members.
• Government Departments and Public Sector OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with various government departments and public sector organizations providing customs and trade expertise.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Crowe UK Trade & Customs Advisory: Mid-tier UK accounting and advisory firm with a dedicated trade and customs practice. Closest Big-mid-tier competitor to Hooper & Co in terms of UK mid-market positioning, with similar pricing tier.
• Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg: Large international trade compliance law and consultancy firm with global reach. Competes for the same UK mid-market customs and trade-advisory engagements as Hooper & Co, with a broader service portfolio and significantly deeper bench.
• BDO UK Trade & Customs: Mid-tier UK accounting and advisory firm providing trade compliance and customs advisory to mid-market and enterprise clients. Direct competitor for the same UK trade compliance engagements.
• RSM UK Trade & Customs: Mid-tier UK advisory firm with trade and customs consulting capabilities. Competes for UK mid-market customs and trade compliance advisory work.
• EY UK Tax & Trade: Big 4 trade and customs advisory practice in the UK. Provides customs compliance, FTA optimization, and trade strategy consulting, with capacity to handle engagements beyond Hooper & Co's scale.
• KPMG UK Trade & Customs: Big 4 trade and customs practice operating in the UK with global network coverage. Targets the same UK importers/exporters and competes on enterprise-grade engagements and cross-border complexity.
• PwC UK Trade & Customs: Big 4 trade and customs practice serving UK enterprise with end-to-end customs, tariff classification, and trade agreement advisory. Competes for the same UK mid-market and enterprise clients Hooper & Co serves, with materially larger scale.

Direct peers

• KGH Customs Services: Specialist customs and trade compliance consultancy serving importers and exporters across Europe, with UK presence. Direct competitor in the customs consultancy and audit space Hooper & Co operates in.
• Woodburn Global: UK-headquartered trade compliance and customs consultancy offering advisory, training, and audit support to importers and exporters. Closest small-firm peer to Hooper & Co in service scope and target customer.

Others

• British Chambers of Commerce: National chamber network providing international trade training and member services. Indirectly competes with Hooper & Co's chamber-delivered training channel and is also a potential partner/distributor for the firm's training products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hooper-and-co-international-consultancy-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hooper and Co