Asia House Brexit Series: Sir Jonathan Faull KCMG

“Brexit negotiations will be the harsh reality of diplomacy. Nobody should be surprised unless they were a bit deluded”, said Sir Jonathan Faull, who until his retirement in January 2017 was the European Commission’s most senior British official. “There is a narrative that if the EU doesn’t give Britain absolutely everything it wants then it is a punishment. This is absolutely not the case”.

Brexit negotiations have started in June. Three rounds in, little progress has been achieved. Sir Jonathan will join Asia House corporate members to discuss possible outcomes regarding the three key priorities: citizens’ rights for EU-27 citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU-27; the settlement of the UK’s financial obligations; and ensuring the Northern Ireland peace process is not compromised. He will also give his views on a future EU-UK deal.

Sir Jonathan Faull KCMG spent most of his early Commission career in the Directorate General of Competition. He was the Commission’s Spokesman and Director General of Press and Communication (1999-2003), Director General of Justice and Home Affairs (2003-2010), Director General of Internal Market and Services (2010-2015) and Director General of the Task Force on the British referendum on membership of the EU (2015-2016).

He was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2017.

This briefing is for corporate members only. To register for this private briefing please contact Conor Paterson, Business & Policy Team at conor.paterson@asiahouse.co.uk or call 0207 307 5439.

This event is taking place as part of the Asia House Brexit Series, which examines the implications of Brexit.