NBCC North Sea Neighbours Event
15th October 2024
Shaping the future Together
NL-UK business leaders agree to start a new chapter in the bilateral relationship to
drive growth and handed out the fifth-annual NBCC Awards
The Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) was pleased to host the NBCC North Sea Neighbours Dinner at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Hotel in Amsterdam with Michiel Sweers, Director-General for Foreign Economic Relations at The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Keith Allan, Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Netherlands; and Charles Grant, Director at the Centre for European Reform. Together, they demonstrated their ongoing commitment to the bilateral relationship between the UK and the Netherlands, which has shared historical trading roots spanning over 400 years.
This event was held to celebrate the vitality of the longstanding British-Dutch economic relationship. To underline the importance of this shared future, the NBCC introduced the fifth iteration of the NBCC Awards. Individuals and companies that have shown outstanding performance in shaping the future of UK-NL relations during the past year were recognised in five categories: Woman of the Year, Tech AI, Sustainability, Stronger Together, and the newest addition, the Young Professional category.
The event was opened by NBCC’s newly appointed Chair, Heba Bevan OBE, who remarked, “The mutual ties run deep, and we must seize the opportunities to boost economic growth and move toward a closer trading relationship in the coming years.”
Charles Grant, Director of the Centre for European Reform, shared his views on the Netherlands’ role in strengthening relations with the EU, noting, “As the UK seeks to build closer ties with the EU, the Dutch—who understand the British better than most—can help persuade other member states to take a pragmatic and positive approach as London and Brussels shape a new, tailored UK-EU relationship.”
The UK is gradually resetting its relations with the EU, largely because Keir Starmer is naturally cautious. He is concerned about the political threat posed by the anti-EU right in British politics, needs to convince the EU that the UK is once again a serious and trustworthy partner, and is taking time to figure out what his government wants. However, in the long term, economic necessity will push Starmer to be more ambitious.
Michiel Sweers, Director-General for Foreign Economic Relations at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about the strong trading partnership between the Netherlands and the UK, calling them “natural allies” with shared interests in trade and security. He emphasized the need for long-term cooperation between governments and the private sector to address challenges like geopolitical tensions and economic resilience. Mr. Sweers also highlighted upcoming initiatives, including the NSN conference and an economic mission to the UK focused on the Life Sciences & Health sector. He added, “The Netherlands and the UK need long-term cooperation to transition to a stronger and more sustainable economy.”
Keith Allan, Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Netherlands, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to remaining open for business, emphasizing the strong trade and investment ties between the UK and the Netherlands. He underscored the importance of collaboration between the two countries and the role the NBCC plays in fostering these relationships. He remarked, “The North Sea Neighbours awards dinner is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the deeply rooted trade and investment relationship between the UK and the Netherlands. The NBCC plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting trade between our two nations, and I look forward to continuing our close cooperation.”
The NBCC North Sea Neighbours event provided an ideal opportunity to discuss the key priorities for economic growth, as well as to collaboratively shape the future agenda of British-Dutch business. Attendees were also given the chance to lay out their longer-term priorities.
The event celebrated business excellence by awarding those who made significant contributions to their sectors and the bilateral relationship. The awards highlighted outstanding British-Dutch achievements over the past year.
- The NBCC Woman of the Year Award 2024, sponsored by BAM and DIAGEO, was presented to Marjan Rintel, CEO at KLM Airlines.
- She is a trailblazing leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her exemplary leadership, commitment to making the sector more sustainable and the ability to lead KLM through challengingpost-pandemic times, while expanding KLM’s international presence, particularly impacting British-Dutch trade relations, all make that KLM stands where it is today. She is a strong advocate for gender diversity in aviation and Marjan’s media visibility amplifies her social influence. She is able to take brave decisions strategically positioning KLM in challenging times by connecting with stakeholders and always trying to have an open dialogue with decision makers.
- She is a trailblazing leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her exemplary leadership, commitment to making the sector more sustainable and the ability to lead KLM through challengingpost-pandemic times, while expanding KLM’s international presence, particularly impacting British-Dutch trade relations, all make that KLM stands where it is today. She is a strong advocate for gender diversity in aviation and Marjan’s media visibility amplifies her social influence. She is able to take brave decisions strategically positioning KLM in challenging times by connecting with stakeholders and always trying to have an open dialogue with decision makers.
- The NBCC BSI Tech AI Award 2024 was presented to Shell.
- Shell’s use of advanced AI technologies improving operational efficiency, has been a game-changer in the energy sector. Their innovations are not only boosting trade between the UK and the Netherlands but also improving supply chains and energy management. By harnessing the power of AI for real-time data analysis and predictive insights, Shell is enabling industries and communities to accelerate the shift toward cleaner, more efficient energy systems. These technological advancements show Shell’s dedication to driving technological progress and long-term societal impact.
- Shell’s use of advanced AI technologies improving operational efficiency, has been a game-changer in the energy sector. Their innovations are not only boosting trade between the UK and the Netherlands but also improving supply chains and energy management. By harnessing the power of AI for real-time data analysis and predictive insights, Shell is enabling industries and communities to accelerate the shift toward cleaner, more efficient energy systems. These technological advancements show Shell’s dedication to driving technological progress and long-term societal impact.
- The NBCC Sustainability Award 2024 was presented to AkzoNobeland Dopper.
- The jury was unanimous in their opinion that Akzo Nobel has an integrated, structural approach to sustainability, which is close to their identity, has a great social impact and runs throughout the entire company and line of activities. Because of their scale, Akzo Nobel is considered to be a leading party in the market, and they will pull the rest of the market towards innovation.
- Jury members were impressed by Dopper as being a gamechanger in the way we deal with and look at end packaged water. They shake feathers in a structural and consistent way and are a great inspiration for younger generations. The jury encourages Dopper to continue to scale up their “Just refill”-strategy beyond the Netherlands.
- The NBCC Young Professional Award 2024 was presented to Sophie van Wijck, Finance Business Partner Personal Care Benelux at Unilever.
- Our judges sought proposals that aligned with responsible capitalism, guided by the five pillars of renewal: societal values, human dignity, regenerativity, inclusivity, and co-creativity. The winner excelled with a visionary, practical approach that stood out for its clarity and impact. The jury praised their authentic and relevant proposal for addressing energy security and fostering UK-Netherlands collaboration, particularly post-Brexit.
- Our judges sought proposals that aligned with responsible capitalism, guided by the five pillars of renewal: societal values, human dignity, regenerativity, inclusivity, and co-creativity. The winner excelled with a visionary, practical approach that stood out for its clarity and impact. The jury praised their authentic and relevant proposal for addressing energy security and fostering UK-Netherlands collaboration, particularly post-Brexit.
- The NBCC Stronger Together Award 2024 was presented to Eurostar.
- The judges commended Eurostaras an outstanding facilitator of the Netherlands-UK relationship, embodying the very essence of connectivity between the two nations. Through their innovative transformation of cross-border travel, Eurostar has made a significant impact on enhancing Dutch-British trade and investment, solidifying their role as a key contributor to the economic and cultural ties that bind our countries.
The North Sea Neighbours Dinner was a night of celebration as members came together to recognise the achievements in bilateral trade between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The evening was filled with lively conversations and engaging discussions, highlighting the important work being done by NBCC members to promote and support bilateral trade. It was a moment to acknowledge and applaud the efforts of many businesses and individuals who have worked tirelessly to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries.
The North Sea Neighbours Dinner was a true reflection of the NBCC's commitment to fostering strong relationships and collaboration between businesses in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The event was a great success and a testament to the dedication and hard work of the NBCC's members.