Jonathan Knott

Former British ambassador to Hungary, Budapest

Part of UK in Hungary

3rd April 2012 Budapest, Hungary

This is GREAT Britain

The UK has a strong image around the world and, as I’ve discovered, here in Hungary.  We’re respected for our traditions, our reliability and the quality of what we produce.  It’s a great advantage for us – whether we’re working in Embassies overseas or trying to do business there. But the British brand needs a refresh. And that’s what the British government’s GREAT Campaign is aiming to do.

Making the most of the London Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as occasions when the world will be watching the UK, the Great Campaign will try to build on our existing reputation, adding to it the world-leading creativity and high technology which we can (and should) now boast of.  We want to show the world that the UK is the place to visit, live work, study, invest and do business. Highlighting all that is best about the UK and focusing on 11 areas of British excellence (Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Technology, Knowledge, Green, Heritage, Sport, Shopping, Music, Countryside).

Innovation is GREAT

Here in the Embassy we are looking at how best to get those messages across to Hungarians.  We aim to use traditional and novel communication techniques.  I hope you’ll notice our efforts around the country.  Do let me know what you think of them.

Of course, the best and most convincing way to show people all the UK can offer is by having them experience the UK at first hand.  See it for yourself!  But another good way is for Hungarians to be able to witness what the UK has to offer at first hand here in Hungary.

That’s why I was so pleased to host a double product launch event in the Embassy this week.   A British firm, BUPA, have teamed up with a local operator to offer first class medical insurance and care to Hungarians.  Top quality service using cutting edge technology.  The second launch, or rather re-launch, was by the car maker Jaguar Land Rover.  Again, cutting edge technology and some really stylish engineering.  Exactly the sort of image to match modern Britain and what it has to offer.

I guess the next times there’ll be a chance to see British creativity, innovation and vitality on a large scale here in Hungary will be at the Grand Prix (7 of the 12 F1 teams are based in the UK) and the big music and cultural festivals like VOLT, Balaton Sound and Sziget.  We’re expecting a good number of British bands to be there.

Lots to look forward to.

About Jonathan Knott

Jonathan Knott was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Hungary in March 2011 and arrived in Budapest in February 2012 to take up his post. He left this post on April…

Jonathan Knott was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to
Hungary in March 2011 and arrived in Budapest in February 2012 to take
up his post. He left this post on April 2015.
He has previously held a variety of diplomatic posts at home and
abroad, several with a particular focus on commercial and corporate
finance issues. Jonathan has served in a number of positions in the
British Diplomatic Service since joining in 1988:
Before his appointment was Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment in South Korea from 2008 to 2011.Between 2005 and 2008 he held the post of Deputy Finance Director in the FCO.From 2000 to 2005 he served as First Secretary (Trade, Corporate Affairs and Finance Negotiator) in UKDel OECD Paris.From 1996 to 2000 he was First Secretary (Head of Political/Economic/Aid Section) in Mexico.From 1995 to 1996 he worked in the FCO as Deputy European Correspondent at the EU Directorate.Between 1991 and 1995 he served as Third later Second Secretary (Political / Press and Public Affairs) in Havana.From 1990 to 1991 he was Desk Officer in the FCO’s First Gulf War Emergency Unit.Between 1988 and 1990 he worked as Desk Officer in the FCO in the Anti Drugs Cooperation Department.
Jonathan holds an MA in law from Oxford University, and he is a
member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He speaks
English, French, Spanish and Hungarian. He is married to Angela Susan
Knott and has one daughter and two sons.

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