Dutch Honorary Consul Appointed in Leeds

News item | 05-11-2024 | 17:11

Dutch Ambassador Paul Huijts travelled to Leeds to celebrate the appointment of our new Honorary Consul, Professor Julia Bennell, to officially welcome her to our Dutch diplomatic network in the UK. Honorary consuls play a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties, supporting Dutch citizens, and opening doors for Dutch companies, cultural institutions, and academic partners throughout the United Kingdom.

 

The Ambassador’s visit to Leeds, warmly received by Lord Mayor Abigail Marshall Katung , highlights the growing bond between the Netherlands and this dynamic city and the region. Leeds boasts a thriving economy and is a renowned centre for innovation, education, and research. The Netherlands has shared economic interests with the region in key sectors such as finance, healthcare and innovation, and the creative industries. Dutch and British institutions collaborate in sectors like healthcare, AI, and engineering, advancing our shared commitment to innovation and growth.

 

 

 

With an Honorary Consul based in Leeds, the Embassy team will work together to strengthen our existing trade partnerships and to explore and foster new connections between our citizens, companies, cultural institutions, and academia in the North East of England - Ambassador Paul Huijts

A tour of the Nexus Innovation Hub, accompanied by Director Gareth Scargill and Martin Stow, highlighted opportunities for collaboration in life sciences, digital industries, and professional services.

Ambassador Paul Huijts and professor Julia Bennel with at Nexus, with Gareth Scargill and Martin Stowe. Photo by Mark Bickerdike.

An art installation by Dutch artist Boris Maas, You Have Seen Nothing Yet, is showcased at the University of Leeds, where the Ambassador was given a tour by Wieke Eringa, Director of the Cultural Institute.

 

With Professor Bennell as the new point of contact for the Dutch community in Leeds, we look forward to strengthening our bonds across business, academia, and culture.

 

A warm thank you to everyone for making this milestone memorable! Here’s to the next chapter of Dutch-British partnerships in the North East!

Ambassador Paul Huijts and Director Wieke Eringa with art installation You Have Seen Nothing Yet by Boris Maas at the University of Leeds. Photo by Mark Bickerdike.

Honorary Consul Network

Professor Julia Bennell's consular district consists of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Middlesborough, Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire, City of Kingston-upon-Hull, North Lincolnshire, North-East Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

 

Read more about Honorary Consuls throughout the UK here.

 

 

Ambassasdor Paul Huijts, Professor Julia Bennell and Wieke Eringa at the University of Leeds. Photo by Mark Bickerdike.