UK-Germany Business Forum 2026
Scoring Goals with Northern Gateway
26th-28th March 2026 | Liverpool
SPONSORED BY
SUPPORTED BY
ADDRESS FROM CHRISTIAN DOKTOR THE DEPUTY GERMAN
AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
Dear attendees of the UK-Germany Business Forum 2026 in Liverpool,
The British-German partnership is thriving in all parts of our countries, as today’s event focusing on the Northern Gateway powerfully demonstrates. With the signing of the Kensington Treaty between Germany and the UK and the State Visit of Federal President Steinmeier to the UK last year, we strengthened our friendship, mutual trust and cooperation even further. We committed to raising investment in both our economies. We will collaborate closely on science and innovation, especially in the rapidly developing fields of technology, sustainable energy and defence.
Meanwhile, the EU-UK reset is beginning to bear fruit, whether through the UK’s return to the Erasmus+ exchange programme, the prospect of easier trade in agricultural produce or the UK’s potential participation in the EU’s electricity market. This puts us in an ideal position to jointly address the many challenges that lie ahead for our countries, for our security and for our economies.
However, tackling these challenges is not just a task for governments alone. We need the many flourishing partnerships that exist between Germany and the UK at regional and city, business and community level in order to make the most of our geographic particularities and sectoral strengths. For instance, the partnership between the cities of Liverpool and Cologne, the longest-lasting alliance between a British and German city, continues to enhance cooperation in areas such as business, culture, education, public administration and sports. Similarly, the regional cooperation between the Liverpool City Region and Hamburg – two areas linked by their historical strength in maritime trade and industry – has great potential.
The UK-Germany Business Forum in Liverpool is therefore a highly welcome and important expression of the strong economic ties between our two countries, and at the same time a showcase for everything the North West has to offer. Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of this promising forum! I wish you a productive conference with stimulating discussions and plenty of good ideas that take our partnership forward.
Yours,
Christian Doktor
DEPUTY HEAD OF MISSION AT THE GERMAN EMBASSY IN LONDON
Thursday 26th March Schedule (Optional Program)
| Location | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | All Day | Arrivals in Liverpool |
| Hotel Anfield (23 Anfield Road, L4 0TE) | 17:30 | Pre-meeting at Hotel Anfield. Ex-LFC legends Gregory Vignal, Sammy Lee & Stephen Wright will be in attendance. Canapés and drinks provided. |
| Anfield Stadium | 18:45 | Arrival at Anfield Stadium for Jürgen Klopp & Legends Charity Event (this is a ticketed event with limited availability, first come first served). Music by Liverpool's very own, Jamie Webster. All proceeds from this event go to the LFC Foundation & the Lord Mayor's Charity. |
| N/A | 23:00 | Departure & close of day. |
Friday 27th Friday March Schedule (Main Event Day)
Please note, transportation will be provided from each location.
| Location | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Town Hall (High Street, L2 3SW) | 10:30 | Tour of the Town Hall and Meet & Greet with Liverpool's Lord Mayor Barbara Murray. |
| Hill Dickinson Stadium (west entrance) | 11:30 - 15:45 |
11:30 Arrival & Registration (tea & coffee provided) This event is moderated by Toni Tomic (Sky Sports Germany) Peter Schriewersmann (Happy Days Group, Co-owner) 12:00 Opening address by Andreas Glunz (Managing Partner International Business, KPMG Germany & Vice-President, British Chamber of Commerce in Germany). 12:15 Key Note Speech I: Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram. Key Note Speech II: Deputy German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christian Doktor. Followed by a Q&A session. 12:45 Panel Discussion I: Football, Major Events and Infrastructure Projects as driver for change and impulse for the local economy and community. Panel Speakers:
13:30 Networking Break (including refreshments and canapés) 13:45 Key Note Speech III: Liam Robinson (Leader of Liverpool City Council): German-Liverpool links, past & present and future plans. Susan Finnegan (International & Placemaking, Liverpool City Council) Update around the programme for Liverpool welcomes Europe 2026. 14:00 Panel II: German-British Business Relations in the Kensington Treaty Era - A Mersey Perspective. Panel Speakers:
Moderated by Nicola Pinder (UK Representative, Land Baden-Württemberg) 14:45 City Partnerships: Oppurtunities for Liverpool companies in German partner cities. Cologne, NRW (Cologne Business & NRW.Global Business): Amadeus Van Lier & David Schneider Stuttgart & St Helens Dr Frederic Stephan & Cllr Anthony Burns Hamburg (HamburgInvest) Katharina Lamers 15:10 Closing Remarks from Ilka Hartmann (Managing Director, British Chamber of Commerce in Germany). 15:20 Networking |
| Rösler UK Site Visit, Knowsley. | 15:45 - 18:00 |
Bus transfer for company visit at Rösler UK with Daniel Tweer (Managing Director, Rösler UK) Alternatively, transfer back into the city for those not attending the company visit. |
| Liverpool City Centre | 18:00 approx | Arrive back at Liverpool City Centre from Rösler UK site visit. |
| Hotel Anfield (optional) | 19:00 approx |
LFC/Borussia Dortmund Legends Event. Includes a Meet & Greet and Q&A with LFC & Dortmund Legends. Music by David from the Ragamuffins band.
Moderated by Toni Tomic (Sky Sports Germany) James Pearce (The Athletic) Jörg Jakob (Ex-CEO, Kicker) |
Saturday 28th March Schedule (Optional Program)
| Location | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| The Municipal Hotel | 11:00 | Networking Brunch (including paid nibbles). |
| Anfield Stadium | 15:00 | Legends Match Access at Anfield Stadium. Options: Private Lounge (limited availability) or General Admission. Additional charges apply. |
| Albert Schloss (Bold Street Liverpool) | 21:00 onwards | Informal Drinks. |
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Fill in the form below to register your interest in the event. By signing up you confirm you will attend the main event day on the 27th March 2026. The form contains questions about the optional programmes running on the 26th March & the 28th March, if you’d like to join the proceedings for the optional days, please reflect this in your form responses.
