The reception will include contributions from:

Ben Butters, CEO, Eurochambres:

Ben Butters has been CEO of Eurochambres, the European association of chambers of commerce & industry, since 2020. As such, he oversees the association’s day-to-day management and engagement with EU policy-makers on a range of topics that are of relevance for the European business environment. 

Before joining Eurochambres, Ben acquired experience in both the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as working for a network of innovation centres. He also created and for several years ran his own business providing EU advocacy support to UK small and medium businesses. 

British by origin, Ben acquired Belgian dual citizenship after an unfortunate incident in his native country in June 2016.

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland:

Ian Talbot is Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland – Ireland’s largest business organisation. He is responsible for driving the future growth and strategic development of the organisation as it seeks to promote the competitiveness of business in Ireland, represent interests of its members, and facilitate the development of the chamber network.

Prior to joining Chambers Ireland, Ian held positions as a Director of Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase in Ireland. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse where he spent several years working in their Dublin and Luxembourg offices. Ian holds MA and BBS degrees from Trinity College, Dublin.

Vladimír Dlouhý, President, Eurochambres:

Vladimír Dlouhý is a Czech economist, former government minister, academic, and business adviser who has played a prominent role in the Czech Republic’s economic transformation since 1989. He served as Czechoslovak Minister of Economy from 1990 to 1992 and later as Czech Minister of Industry and Trade until 1997, becoming one of the leading figures in the country’s transition to a market economy.

Since leaving government, he has worked as an adviser to major international companies including Goldman Sachs, ABB, and Rolls-Royce, while also teaching economics at Charles University in Prague. He has been involved with several international institutions and advisory bodies, including the International Monetary Fund, the Trilateral Commission, and the National Economic Council of the Czech Government.

Since 2014, Dlouhý has served as President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce and, from 2019, as Deputy President of Eurochambres, representing European chambers of commerce and industry. He is recognized for his expertise in economic policy, international business, and European affairs.