LONDON, 1st February 2021: After a decade as UK chair of the UK-German association K\u00f6nigswinter,
\nSir Michael Arthur will retire from this role later this year. His successor will be the Rt Hon Sir
\nDavid Lidington. The handover will take place at the June 2021 Conference in Berlin.<\/p>\n
Sir David brings to this post a depth of experience and knowledge that will be invaluable
\nas K\u00f6nigswinter develops its role further in the post-BREXIT bilateral relationship. Sir David has
\nexperience of many years of engagement with Germany from his roles in government, as Minister for
\nEurope and as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster effectively Deputy Prime Minister to Theresa May.<\/p>\n
K\u00f6nigswinter is a bridge between the UK and Germany where frank, constructive discussions can be held
\namong decision-makers about the key issues of the day. The BREXIT debate has been a central theme over
\nrecent years, but discussions encompass trade, international relations, security, economics and more.<\/p>\n
On his appointment, Sir David said: \u201cI am delighted to take on the role of UK chair. For 70 years
\nK\u00f6nigswinter has been an important bridge builder between Germany and the United Kingdom. Our two
\ncountries face the same challenges: the digital revolution, global competition, the climate emergency,
\norganised crime and the growing assertiveness of authoritarian powers in the world. We can learn from
\neach other’s experience and perspectives and through K\u00f6nigswinter discuss both challenges and
\nopportunities in a spirit of openness and mutual trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing International, former UK Ambassador to Germany and outgoing
\nchair said: \u201cThe bond between Germany and the UK is as important as it has ever been in the past 70
\nyears. We face an increasingly polarised society and politics; we look to rebuild our economies and societies
\npost COVID; we must navigate past BREXIT. When the UK and Germany are aligned and empathetic
\nthen Europe is stronger. After a decade of chairing K\u00f6nigswinter I am pleased to hand over the baton
\nto David, an ally in building bridges, consensus, and understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2021 conference will be K\u00f6nigswinter\u2019s 71st annual conference. It was founded in 1947 to bring
\ntogether leading figures in Britain and Germany from politics, government, academia, business and the
\nmedia, to discuss the key policy issues of the day where both countries need to understand each other in
\ndepth. Many leaders in both countries, in government and beyond, participate in K\u00f6nigswinter conferences.<\/p>\n
Note to editors:
\nK\u00f6nigswinter is an independent organisation. It is funded in part by HM government, with majority
\nfunding from the private sector business sponsors. In addition to the main annual conference there are
\nshorter conferences annually on Defence and Security and on Economic affairs. Conferences alternate
\nannually between Germany and the UK. There is also an annual Young K\u00f6nigswinter conference every
\nyear in Berlin.<\/p>\n
This is a press release by British-German K\u00f6nigswinter. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"