Britain’s role in a new Europe
The UK-European Union summit in May 2025 marked a turning point in the complex post-Brexit bilateral relationship, bringing a renewed focus on co-operation and the establishment of a strategic partnership, laying the groundwork for future negotiations.
During this lunchtime discussion, Mario Monti, former prime minister of Italy, and Lord Simon McDonald, former permanent under secretary and head of the diplomatic service at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, exchange views on Britain’s role in Europe, key areas of co-operation including trade and defence/security, relations with the US and other external challenges.
Proceedings are off the record to encourage open dialogue. The lunchtime discussion is in person in London, with a limited number of places available.
This session is part of a programme featuring speakers from across the public and private sectors, focusing on the geoeconomic landscape and the rapprochement between the UK, Germany and the EU. It culminates in a reception at the German Embassy to mark the publication of Can Europe Survive? The Story of a Continent in a Fractured World by David Marsh, chairman of OMFIF. Marsh will be joined by Joachim Nagel, president of Deutsche Bundesbank, to discuss the findings of his book.
Speakers
David Marsh
Chairman
OMFIF
David Marsh
Chairman
OMFIF
David Marsh is Chairman and Co-Founder of OMFIF. Before starting at OMFIF in late 2009, he worked for City merchant bank Robert Fleming, corporate finance boutique Hawkpoint, German management consultancy Droege and London investment firm London & Oxford. Marsh took over the chairmanship from John Plender on 1 January 2018 having been Managing Director since 2014. He moved to a non-executive role following John Orchard’s appointment as Chief Executive effective 1 January 2020.
Lord (Simon) McDonald
Permanent Under Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Head of Diplomatic Service (2015-20)
Lord (Simon) McDonald
Permanent Under Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Head of Diplomatic Service (2015-20)
Mario Monti
Prime Minister (2011-13)
Italy
Mario Monti
Prime Minister (2011-13)
Italy
Mario Monti is Senator for life of the Italian Republic. He was Prime Minister of Italy (2011-2013), heading a government of national unity, which overcame Italy’s sovereign debt crisis and launched structural reforms. Monti had previously served as European Commissioner for the Single Market (1995-1999) and then for Competition (1999-2004). He chaired several advisory commissions, among which the EU High-level Group on Own Resources (2014-2017) and the WHO Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development (2020-2021). Monti was professor of Economics at the Universities of Trento and Turin and then at Bocconi University, where he was President between 1994-2022.
Timings
11:45 – 12:00: Arrival
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch discussion (a sandwich lunch will be provided)
Supported by
