The EU enters 2026 under sustained external and internal strain. As it readies its response to Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, growing US pressure over Greenland risks escalating into the deepest transatlantic crisis in decades. One year into Ursula von der Leyen’s second term, the EU will also need to calibrate its increasing focus on sovereignty and “Made in Europe” with delivery of the Draghi competitiveness agenda, amidst continued concerns over the state of Europe’s economy.

Flint Partner Fiona Wright chairs a discussion between:

• Claus Grube, Flint Senior Adviser, former senior Danish diplomat who notably served as Danish Permanent Representative to the EU.
• Sir Julian King, Flint Specialist Partner, former European Commissioner for security and former UK Ambassador to France and Ireland.
• David Wright, Flint Senior Adviser, Chair of Eurofi and former Deputy Director General for financial services at the European Commission.

On Wednesday 26 November 2025, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a long-awaited Autumn Budget. In this episode, Flint experts discuss the Budget decisions, what it means for Labour's programme, and the political and economic impacts for the business community.

Flint Specialist Partner Sue Owen chairs a discussion with Specialist Partners, Andy King, former member of the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee, and senior Treasury official; Sam White, former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer and Special Advisor to Chancellor Alistair Darling; Rav Athwal, former Special Advisor for Economic Policy to Prime Minister Starmer, and Labour Director of Policy and manifesto author and Giles Wilkes, former Special Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May on economic and industrial policy.

As COP30 in Brazil approaches, Flint experts unpack what this pivotal summit means for global climate action and international business.

In this episode, our panel explores the key themes and initiatives shaping COP30 — from the next round of national emissions targets (NDCs) to the implications for global investment, carbon markets, climate finance, and sustainable infrastructure. They discuss how governments and businesses are positioning themselves ten years on from the Paris Agreement, and what to expect from negotiations in Belém.

Flint Partner Katie Whitting chairs a discussion with Virginia Sentance MBE, Flint Director leading our UK climate and sustainability offer and former senior official in the UK’s COP26 Presidency team; Fiona Wright, Flint Partner and former senior adviser at HM Treasury, the European Commission and the U.S. Senate; and Dr Lisa Ross, Flint Director for Asia-Pacific, expert in sustainable finance and regulatory policy.