Claire Wilson
WITH more than 20 years experience of diplomacy – and a Spanish wife – our new man in Madrid is more than qualified for the job.
Oxford educated Simon Manley has begun his new role by stressing the economic interdependence between the UK and Spain.
Manley, who has a degree in International Relations, said: “I am delighted to be here in Spain and look forward to strengthening our broad and deep bilateral relationship.
“Spain is a key ally within the European Union and NATO and is one of our most important trading partners.”
He continued: “Creating sustainable growth is a priority for both the UK and Spain. I am delighted that some 400 Spanish companies are registered in the UK and investors such as Santander, Telefónica, Iberdrola and Ferrovial have made Spain our sixth largest inward investor”.
Manley also pointed to the importance of the UK to the Spanish economy.
He said: “More than 13 million Britons visit Spain every year, generating 1 per cent of Spain’s GDP. Some 800,000 have made Spain their home permanently or for part of the year, and the UK remains the largest foreign investor in Spain’s property market.”
Prior to his appointment Manley was Director Europe at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) from 2011 to 2013.
He is married to Maria Isabel Fernandez Utges Manley, an intellectual property, competition and regulatory lawyer. They have three daughters aged 13, 12 and 5.
“I am delighted to be here in Spain and look forward to strengthening our broad and deep bilateral relationship”
lol, they hate us.
What an absolutely ridiculous comment above to publish Olive Press!
You should be ashamed of yourselves!
How can you anyone not be angered by such an obtuse remark. It’s not good journalism this is it?… Try much harder!!
Since when has a comment been journalism Roger?
Unpalatable yes, wrong certainly, but not journalism
For crying out loud, it was tongue in cheek. Roger, you seem very highly strung.
Yes, it was the wrong word. Editing comments then, whatever word you want to be associated with your JOB John. You know what I mean. You know he wasn’t joking. You don’t publish certain comments by people while publishing comments from your favourite wind up merchants, that do your website no good (as in putting people off commenting, as previous people have said).
PATHETIC LETTING THIS ‘SPECIFIC’ MAN CALLED FRED CARRY ON PUTTING EVERYTHING IN SPAIN & MORE SPECIFICALLY THE SPANISH PEOPLE DOWN! (or is that what this site is all about?)
‘THEY HATE US’ – if just ONE Spanish person read that it’s makes me feel sick!
should I ‘lol’ now?
Spanish people only hate each other. I don’t hate britons, my husband is one and I love him
I don’t like the Spanish politicians, the Mayors, some lawyers and the estate agents and they just view us as a cash cow to be milked at every turn. I feel sorry for the Spanish people being led by this bunch of self interested people and I don’t think the politicians like us do they? They would like to ban foreigners but they need the money. We know how useless they are and that is a threat to them. Roger, at least John lets you speak, you do provide me with some entertainment and a bit of sunshine is all you need to put a smile on your face. It must be good to be in Rogers world as it is all rosy and I wish I could wake up with your views really, it must be good not thinking about any negatives or realities, brushing them aside! Remember, thousands of people who lived there for many years have tried to improve themselves or their proprty and are held back at every opportunity, I was one of them and if you want to attract people to Spain then it should be easier than it is and get rid of the local corrupt politicians and take the powers away from the Mayors.