Talk by His Excellency Simon Smits, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UK

Join His Excellency, Simon Smits, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UK, as he reflects upon the challenges the EU and UK will face in a talk entitled 'North Sea Neighbours: Navigating a Post-Brexit World'.

As a student, Mr Smits studied English Language, Literature and International Law at the VU University in Amsterdam, and from 1977 to 1978 he was a Harting Fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford. Mr Smits' diplomatic career began in 1983 at the Netherland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; since then, he has served as Head of Nature and Environment at the Permanent Mission to the EU in Brussels, acting Director-General for European Cooperation, and Director-General for Foreign Economic Relations -- amongst many other distinguished positions. Mr Smits has served in Belgrade, Dhaka, Geneva, Zagreb and Pretoria, as well as with the Permanent Mission to the EU in Brussels. Mr Smits was appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UK in September 2015.

The afternoon will feature a talk by Mr Smits, followed by a question and answer session during which audience members will have the opportunity to pose questions. It will be introduced and chaired by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sally Mapstone. A drinks reception will take place in Lower College Hall immediately following the lecture; all are welcome.

The event is free and open to all, but registration is required.