The South West UK Brussels Office is a small team of six permanent staff based in Brussels plus a rotating temporary stagiaire role. In addition to the Brussels team we have a new European Officer based in the South West - details on the role of this officer are given at the bottom of this page.
The table below shows the responsibilities of the team in Brussels to help you find the right person for any contacts you would like to make with us.
For individual officers please use the contact details below or for general enquiries please see the bottom of the page.
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Joseph Gallacher is joining SWUKBO from the European Commission, where he has been working on the coordination of the EU’s integrated maritime policy. Joseph’s engagement with European affairs began when he was employed in local economic development in three English local authorities – Blackburn, Wakefield and Birmingham.
He spent seven years as Assistant Director of the Local Government International Bureau (now part of the Local Government Association) where he led on the creation of its Brussels office, established the system of support and briefing for the UK members on the Committee of the Regions and steered a number of successful lobbies in Brussels, Whitehall and Westminster.
He came to Brussels in 1999 to head the office representing Welsh interests to the EU. He brought innovative approaches to the organization and delivery of services to a growing partnership.
He holds degrees from Edinburgh and Manchester Universities in the UK and from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Economic development remains his professional passion and he spent 2006-2008 in Botswana directing his energy towards international development. Joseph’s spare time is devoted to his young family.
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Joseph Gallacher
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Tel:+32 (0)2 7377093
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Director
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Maruxa has overall responsibility for EU Programmes, including the development of strategic projects and networks and the SWUKBO Funding Roadshows. She is als responsible for the elaboration of SWUKBO's Work Programme and Business Plan.
Maruxa also leads on the following specific policy areas and programmes:
- Cohesion Policy and EU Budget
- Environment (Sustainable Development, Climate Change, Flooding, Waste and LIFE+ Programme)
- Clean and renewable energy (including Intelligent Energy Europe Programme)
- Clean transport
- Tourism
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| Tel:+32 (0)2 7377094 |
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Senior Policy Officer
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Emily leads on the following policy areas and programmes:
- Research & Development (7th Framework Programme)
- Enterprise & Innovation, including the Lisbon Agenda and the 2009 Year of Creativity & Innovation
- Information Society (including the ICT Programme)
- Public Health Programme and Sports
- CoR Open Days
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Tel:+32 (0)2 7377091
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European Officer
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Nicolas has lead responsibility for the European Update Newsletter, SWUKBO's Annual Report and Highlights, as well as for the SWUKBO website and marketing materials.
Nicolas also leads on the following policy areas and programmes:
- Maritime Affairs & Fisheries
- Agriculture & Rural Policy (including Common Agriculture Policy Reform and Rural Development Programme for England)
- Demographic Change & Immigration
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Nicolas Brookes
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Tel:+32 (0)2 7377095
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European Officer
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Michele leads on the following policy areas and programmes:
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Employment & Social Affairs (European Social Fund, Daphne III and PROGRESS)
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Education & Culture (including Life Long Learning, Culture 2013 and Media 2013 Programmes)
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Citizenship & Youth (including Youth and Europe for Citizens Programmes)
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External Co-operation Programmes
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Procurement & Public Services and State Aids
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| Tel:+32 (0)2 7377099 |
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European Officer
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Clare is based in the South West of England. She is responsible for:
- Territorial Cooperation (including Cross-border, Transnational & Interregional programmes of relevance to the South West)
- Keeping key European players within the South West partnership in touch with the European agenda, including EU briefings to partners on behalf of the Brussels-based team and providing support to members of the partnership in project development (particularly in follow up to SWUKBO Funding Roadshows, Masterclasses, etc.)
- Gathering information and intelligence about European activities taking place in the Region
- Co-organising SWUKBO events and visits in the Region, and representing SWUKBO at local, regional and national events
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Clare Breen
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| Tel:+44 1208265708 |
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European Officer based in the South West
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Monica has overall responsibility for general office administration, including organising team meetings and staff training, and providing support with the day to day management of the Budget and Accounts. She is also the PA of the Director and provides administrative assistance to the team.
Besides, Monica ensures the smooth running and organisation of events & visits and provides support with the website.
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| Tel:+32 (0)2 7377090 |
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Office Manager
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Lucy provides support on the communications and corporate marketing activities of the office, including:
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Lucy Mathieson
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| Tel:+32 (0)2 7377092 |
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Stagiaire
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