The UK’s Reset with the EU – digesting the 19th May summit
The UK’s reset of relations with the EU is progressing, and particularly so now in the context of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and an unpredictable US administration.
On 19 May, the UK and EU will convene at a summit to finalise plans on defence, security, crime and trade. The UK government has said the summit will “provide an opportunity to make further progress on areas which will deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK and the EU and further strengthen the unique relationship between the UK and the EU.”
Join us for an interactive panel discussion to break down the outcomes of the summit, and what implications there might be for business.
Speakers
Deborah Nash, Teneo Brussels
Deborah heads the Brussels office of global strategic advisory firm Teneo. Originally from Northern Ireland, she has spent the past 20 years living and working in Belgium in a variety of public affairs and strategic communications roles. She is also a Board member of the Irish College Leuven and former Chair of the IoD Belgian branch.
Emma Rowland, IoD
Emma Rowland is a Policy Advisor at the Institute of Directors specialising in international trade and EU affairs. She advocates on behalf of IoD members in areas relating to export promotion, free trade agreement negotiation and the trading relationship between the UK and EU. She has represented business interests in government inquiries on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and input into the Labour Government’s strategy for boosting UK exports.
She also manages Policy Voice, the IoD's policy market research and survey activities. This involves collating statistical and anecdotal evidence on the impact of policy decisions on business, and tracking economic confidence trends.
Emma graduated with a history degree from Cardiff University in 2020. Her final dissertation focused on the geopolitical relationship between China and Hong Kong from 1979-2019.
Fergus McReynolds, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade
Fergus McReynolds leads the International & EU team at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, a global organisation empowering organisations and equipping individuals with the expertise to trade effectively, sustainably and competitively. He has worked in Brussels for over a decade and has extensive knowledge of the industrial sector and the importance of international trade. Fergus has a master’s in chemistry from the University of Warwick and previously represented the UK manufacturing sector for over 10 years in Europe and internationally.
Naomi Smith, Best for Britain
Naomi Smith FCMA is CEO of Best for Britain. She is the founder of the Trade Unlocked Conference and the influential crossparty UK Trade and Business Commission of MPs and business leaders. Prior to Best for Britain, Naomi was Executive Director of Campaigns at Business LDN when it was still London First. Prior to her campaigning work, Naomi spent 15 years in finance and accounting with the likes of Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, as well as chairing voluntary groups. She is currently a trustee of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and host of the political podcast Quiet Riot.
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