Press Release

AMSTERDAM, 2 June 2026 — Business and political leaders met in Amsterdam to strengthen UK–Netherlands cooperation ahead of the crucial EU–UK Reset Summit — with the latest NBCC survey showing a crystal-clear consensus: businesses on both sides want to remove friction, accelerate innovation, and build a more ambitious future.  

Senior business leaders, policymakers, diplomats and industry stakeholders from across the United Kingdom and the Netherlands gathered at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam yesterday 1st of June for the annual NBCC North Sea Neighbours’ Dinner 2026, hosted by the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC). 

Held under the theme “Shaping the Future Together”, the high-level dinner focused on strengthening UK–EU and UK–Netherlands cooperation in a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic environment. The event took place ahead of the crucial EU–UK Reset Summit in July 2026, widely viewed as a strategic opportunity to reduce trade barriers, deepen collaboration and reinforce Europe’s long-term competitiveness and resilience. 

The 2026 NBCC Survey confirms the enduring strength and strategic importance of the UK–Netherlands economic relationship, which now exceeds £119 billion in annual trade, making the Netherlands the UK’s third-largest trading partner globally. Survey findings show four in ten members reporting current sales and operational activity above expectations, while roughly half of respondents view the two-to-three-year industry outlook as encouraging in both countries. 

Despite growing geopolitical uncertainty, rising energy costs and ongoing Brexit-related trade friction, businesses on both sides of the North Sea continue to support closer UK–EU cooperation and stronger bilateral alignment. 80% of members prioritise easing business travel and worker mobility between the UK and EU as a top 2026 goal, and 85% are favourable toward the UK returning to the European Union Customs Union/Single market. There is also clear appetite for an ambitious sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) / veterinary agreement to reduce checks and delays among businesses.

Key priorities identified in the survey report include closer regulatory cooperation, SPS agreements, emissions trading system linkage, energy cooperation, industrial resilience, and targeted mobility arrangements to support talent and innovation. 

The survey report concludes that stronger cooperation between trusted European partners will be essential in navigating an increasingly fragmented global economy and ensuring long-term prosperity and resilience. 

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the NBCC Awards 2026, recognising individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to strengthening ties between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands through leadership, innovation, sustainability and cross-border collaboration. The awards ceremony was presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Annemarie de Bourbon de Parme as well as other dignitaries. 

• The NBCC Woman of the Year Award was won by Saskia Kapinga for her leadership and contribution to business and society.  

• The NBCC TechAI Award was won by RELX for their innovation and excellence in technology. 

• The NBCC Stronger Together Award was won by TenneT for their exceptional contribution to strengthening UK–Netherlands cooperation and partnership. 

• The NBCC Sustainability Award was won by Van Oord for their leadership and measurable impact in sustainability.  

• The NBCC Young Professionals Award was won by Senna Leentjens for her emerging talent and leadership amongst the next generation of professionals. 

• There were two NBCC Special Awards awarded on the night, won by Guido Landheer and Marjolein Bouwers, for their outstanding lifetime contribution to the UK-Netherlands trade. 

The evening programme featured keynote speeches and discussions from leading figures in politics, diplomacy, defence and international business. The opening remarks delivered by Lyne Biewinga, Chief Executive Officer of NBCC, said: “Our recent NBCC survey  showed a crystal-clear consensus: businesses on both sides want to remove friction, reduced costs and complexity, accelerate innovation, and build a more ambitious future. They want a more ambitious partnership, with the upcoming EU-UK Reset Summit as probably the best chance Europe will get.” 

Admiral Rob Bauer, Former Chair of the NATO Military Committee, addressed the growing importance of European defence alignment, industrial resilience and strategic cooperation in response to heightened geopolitical tensions and global fragmentation in his keynote speech titled: “The Strategic Importance of UK–EU Cooperation in a New Age of Great Power Competition”. He said, “In this new era of great power competition, it is crucial that the United Kingdom and the European continent stand firmly together to protect both democratic values and strategic interests. We need to fight for the WE in a world of ME.”

Rem Korteweg, Senior Fellow at the Clingendael Institute, discussed the strategic importance of the upcoming EU–UK Reset Summit and the opportunities for deeper cooperation in trade, energy security, defence and economic resilience in his keynote speech titled: “Europe’s Best Chance for Rebuilding Relations with the UK?”. He stressed, “With everything that is going on in the world, and in our domestic politics, the current window of opportunity for greater cross-channel alignment may be rare. Don’t let this opportunity for a bold and ambitious EU-UK Reset go to waste.” 

The programme also featured a ‘Ministerial Conversation’, “Shaping the Future Together: Security, Competitiveness and Cooperation” moderated by Paul Drechsler CBE, Lead non-executive board member at the Department of Business and Trade. In this discussion Lord Stockwood, Minister of State for Investment, and Michiel Sweers, Vice-Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, explored how the United Kingdom and the Netherlands can deepen collaboration across innovation, investment, industrial policy, supply-chain resilience and strategic economic security. Michiel Sweers said, “In a challenging geopolitical climate, the UK and the Netherlands stand together as close partners committed to security, stability, and shared values.” Lord Stockwood  said, “In a challenging global environment, trade between the UK and the Netherlands has never been more vital. Total annual trade between our two countries stands at £119Bn, whilst the Netherlands has £200Bn investment stock in the UK. This makes it the perfect time for my visit to the Netherlands, and to celebrate this success at the NBCC North Sea Neighbours Dinner.”

The closing keynote by Jan Peter Balkenende, Minister of State, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands titled: “Strategic Autonomy and the Courage to Act” addressed the importance of trusted partnerships, resilient supply chains and strategic cooperation in safeguarding Europe’s long-term prosperity and competitiveness. He said: "Strategic autonomy should not be understood as isolation, but as the ability to act from a position of strength. In an increasingly uncertain world, trusted partnerships between countries such as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are essential to strengthening resilience, competitiveness and long-term prosperity."

One of the objectives of the evening was to initiate action amongst the guests by introducing an activity that could be done throughout the evening. Each guest had to answer two questions; what action will you take to strengthen UK-NL economic ties and what is your key ask to the NL/UK government to achieve this. All the guests' answers were collected in two 'The NBCC North Sea Neighbours’ Action Agenda 2026' and was handed out by Thomas Wiggers from the NBCC to Chris Rampling CMG MBE, British Ambassador to the Netherlands and His Excellency Paul Huijts Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the end of the evening.    

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The NBCC North Sea Neighbours’ Dinner 2026 was supported by leading British and Dutch companies and strategic partners committed to strengthening bilateral trade and cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.  

The NBCC thanks its partners for their continued support and commitment to strengthening the Anglo-Dutch business relationship. The supporting organisations include: 

Admiral Rob Bauer

Rem Korteweg

Lord Stockwood, Michiel Sweers, Paul Drechsler

Jan Peter Balkenende

Thomas Wiggers, Paul Huijts, Chris Rampling

Lyne Biewinga, Saskia Kapinga, Marjolein Bouwers, Van Oord, Senna Leentjens, Frank Prillevits, Guido Landheer, Thomas Wiggers

About the NBCC 

Founded in 1891, the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce is a leading bilateral chamber dedicated to strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. 

As part of the British Chambers of Commerce international network, the NBCC supports businesses through advocacy, strategic connections, events, market insight and cross-border collaboration. 

Event Details 

Event: NBCC North Sea Neighbours’ Dinner 2026 
Date: 1 June 2026 
Location: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam 
Format: Invitation-only black-tie dinner and awards ceremony

Media Contact 

Lyne Biewinga
Chief Executive Officer
The Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T: +31-(0)6-46178825