Event report
Advocacy Breakfast - Crosscurrents - What economic and political trends reveal about the future of business in the UK and EU?
On 2nd December Patron and Corporate members were exclusively invited to attend the inaugural session of the Chamber's Advocacy Breakfast Series.
The inaugural session of our Advocacy Breakfast Series examined how economic pressures, public sentiment and regulatory priorities are reshaping the business landscape across the UK, France and the EU. Speakers highlighted that rising living costs remain the dominant concern in both the UK and France, strongly influencing what citizens expect from government and business alike.
Despite the challenging economic climate, the discussion showed that public support for foreign investment remains robust, particularly in sectors seen as central to innovation and societal wellbeing. Healthcare, technology and AI, green energy and the life sciences continue to attract positive sentiment. However, national differences persist: French audiences place greater emphasis on cultural identity and heritage, making sectors such as luxury, hospitality and sport more sensitive to outside investment, while UK audiences tend to evaluate investment through a primarily economic lens.
The event also revealed diverging sectoral preferences. In the UK, life sciences, renewable energy and transport receive the strongest backing, whereas in France the highest support is directed towards healthcare, technology and AI. These distinctions will be important for businesses shaping cross-market engagement strategies.
Looking to 2026, the UK, France and the wider EU appear to be converging around shared priorities, including increased defence investment, support for strategic sectors such as critical minerals and advanced technologies, and the evolution of regulatory frameworks, particularly around foreign investment screening.
As the first event in our Advocacy Breakfast Series, the session underscored the importance of understanding public sentiment and emerging regulatory trends to navigate the shifting UK–EU landscape. Businesses that tailor their approaches to these dynamics will be better placed to build trust and create long-term value across both markets.
