Senior Diplomat on Mission to Boost UK-Nigeria Trade

LONDON, August 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

New joint venture pledges to smooth visa application process

A former diplomat has teamed up with a leading law firm in a bid to improve the notoriously complex visa application process for Nigerian citizens looking to visit Britain. It is hoped that the service will help to enhance commerce and trade links between the UK and Africa's largest economy.

Peter Stephenson OBE, a former First Secretary at the UK High Commission in Lagos, is setting up Paragon Edge, a joint venture between Nottingham-based Paragon Law, a Legal 500 immigration legal specialist, and Inside Edge, a Nigerian market intelligence consultancy. The company will help Nigerian businesspeople, students and other visitors obtain visas to gain access to the UK, as well as advising on trade between the two countries.

Mr Stephenson said: "Nigeria is Africa's leading economy, representing a massive opportunity for UK businesses, but right now there is a lot of untapped potential, and this is largely down to the fact that Nigerian citizens often find it hard to travel to Britain.  Too often Nigerian visa applications to the UK are refused due to poor advice and documentation.

"By bringing together the expertise of Paragon Law and Inside Edge, Paragon Edge will work closely with clients to manage the whole immigration process, doing everything possible to ensure that applications are submitted properly and approved in the vast majority of cases. The service is available to everyone, but we hope that one positive outcome will be enhanced trade between the two countries."

Mr Stephenson will be joined on the Paragon Edge management team by Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director of Paragon Law, and Lebari Ukpong, the founder of Inside Edge and a former Trade Development Manager at the British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria.

Mr Vasishta said: "Once we have given our client an assessment of the merits in making the visa application to the UK Visas and Immigration the secret of success lies in the preparation of the supporting documents, specifically how this evidence is presented and explained to the visa officers."

The Inside Edge offices in Lagos will be the first point of contact for Nigeria-based clients, who will continue to be cared for by Paragon Law once they are in the UK.

If you would like to engage the services of Paragon Edge, or discuss how the team can help you, please call +234-8035-352-685 or email info@inside-edgeconsulting.com.

Issued on behalf of Paragon Edge by Rum Doodle PR 

For further information please contact Rob Lawson at Rum Doodle PR

on +44(0)20-3640-5918 (Mobile +44(0)7940-501-993) or email rob@rumdoodlepr.co.uk

Photo: A photo to accompany this press release can be accessed here: http://we.tl/FCJOalboqy

Photo Caption: (left to right) Peter Stephenson OBE with Lebari Ukpong of Inside Edge and Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director of Paragon Law

Notes to the Editor: 

Paragon Law 

Paragon Law is a leading immigration law specialist. Based in Nottingham, and with offices in London, the firm has won multiple accolades for both its legal services and business processes.  Paragon is ranked in the top tier by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners Directory to the legal profession, with the latter having described Paragon Law as an "immigration law powerhouse, best known for handling complex and high profile cases".

Paragon Law, 7B Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AJ
Tel: +44(0)115-964-4123    
mail: enquiries@paragonlaw.co.uk

Inside Edge 

Inside Edge carries out market research and programmes for domestic and international companies who seek to identify opportunities, challenges and risks for their products and services in Nigeria. We deliver practical and systematic solutions for clients to enter the Nigerian market or increase market share, across all sectors. The company also provides education consultancy which includes in-country representation, student recruitment, collaborations and scholarship management.

Inside Edge Ltd, Suite D26, Dolphin Plaza, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-8035352685    
Email:  info@inside-edgeconsulting.com