Brexit negotiations: Who are the key players for Europe and the UK?

Negotiations to agree Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union are officially underway
Can the EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Brexit Secretary David Davis agree a deal on amicable terms?
AFP/Getty Images
Liz Connor19 June 2017

Three months after Theresa May triggered Article 50, formal Brexit negotiations have begun in Brussels today.

The first full face-to-face meetings between teams of EU and UK negotiators began in the Berlaymont building at 11am.

Over the next two years, the two sides will thrash out key issues surrounding Britain’s leave, including citizens’ rights, Britain’s “exit bill” and the Irish border.

But who are the officials that will be working to define Britain’s Brexit deal?

These are the main negotiators.

The UK

David Davis

David Davis is representing the UK in Brexit negotiations
Reuters

As Brexit secretary, David Davis will be Britain’s principal negotiator in Brussels.

Heading up the Government’s Department for Exiting the European Union, he will work to establish future relations between the UK and the bloc.

Davis has already played a key role in Brexit, having helped Theresa May to get the Article 50 Bill through Parliament earlier this month.

The 68-year-old Conservative MP for Haltemprice and Howden will be leading the talks on what Britain wants from negotiations, working closely with Parliament to ensure the leave process happens in the two-year negotiation period.

Sir Tim Barrow

AFP/Getty Images

Britain’s ambassador to the EU has “overall responsibility” for the UK’s departure from the Union.

He became part of the Brexit narrative earlier this year, when his predecessor Sir Ivan Rogers stepped down from the role.

His job will be to ensure Britain’s policies are clearly explained to EU member states.

Barrow has a long political career, having been a civil servant in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) since 1986.

He served in London, Kiev, Moscow and Brussels, and until last year, served as the Ambassador to Russia before returning to London as the FCO’s Political Director.

Oliver Robbins

Oliver Robbins will help to support the UK in negotiations to leave the EU, while working to help establish future relations.

This will include helping the Government to establish its position for future relations with Europe and outside of the EU.

His official role is Permanent Secretary for the Department for Exiting the European Union, and he will work closely with David Davis.

Brexit: Article 50 Triggered - In pictures

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Europe

Michel Barnier

AP

As the Europe’s chief negotiator, French Republican Michel Barnier will lead the EU’s side of discussions as dictated to him by the 27 heads of member states, as well as European Council president Donald Tusk.

Alongside his task force, he “will coordinate the Commission’s work on all strategic, operational, legal and financial issues related to these negotiations,” according to an official statement.

Today, Barnier will work with Davis to scope out a timetable for the negotiations during a 90-minute session, and then spend two-and-a-half hours in working groups responding to agreements from the principal negotiators.

Didier Seeuws

AFP/Getty Images

Seeuws is the European Council’s chief negotiator for its special task force in the UK, who will coordinate negotiation talks on behalf of the Council members.

The Flemish diplomat will be tasked with making sure the deal is smoothly reached by chairing the committee of EU member states that oversees Michel Barnier.

Sabine Weyan

As Mr Barnier’s second in command, Weyand will be a key part of discussions with Britain during the process of finalising the Brexit deal.

Her official title is the European Commission's deputy chief negotiator for its special UK task force.

Weyand has extensive experience in representing world leaders, having chaired G7 and G8 summits in the past.

She will act independently of her German capital, working instead for the broader European interest.

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