This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Jonathan Knott

Former British ambassador to Hungary, Budapest

Part of UK in Hungary

25th June 2013 Budapest, Hungary

Mushrooms, wine, car parts and business opportunities

I try to travel outside Budapest for a couple of days at least once a quarter. Last week I visited Miskolc and Eger. It was an excellent trip.

In Miskolc I was able to meet the mayor and chat with him about local developments and challenges, I gave a presentation to the Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county Chamber of Commerce and explained the opportunities which exist for collaboration with good British companies both here in Hungary and in third countries. And then I travelled into the countryside to visit a couple of projects we support for the Roma communities there.

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It was a great experience. I saw how the local police try to attract Roma people to the force, visited a local community and cultural centre where the Roma culture is celebrated (and where I took part in a jam session using traditional Roma instruments).

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And then visited a super project through which the community cultivate and sell mushrooms (not for profit). I was so impressed I’ve put in a standing order for Embassy events. Everyone who eats mushrooms at my house will be enjoying them thanks to this project and the dedicated team who are driving it.

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Two other highlights from my visit were a visit to the Royal Tokaj winery – where a British company is working with local growers and experts to produce some of the finest wines in the world. And a visit to a British firm which manufactures parts for the automotive industry.

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It was really exciting to see their production facilities (I love that manufacturing environment) and then to talk about some of the ways the Embassy can help the company to develop new contacts and potentially contracts.

It was an intense and intensive couple of days. But it gave me a real buzz. Can’t wait to get back on the road again!

1 comment on “Mushrooms, wine, car parts and business opportunities”

  1. Dear Jonathan Knott,

    I would suggest the next destination the Duna -Tisza közét. And if you are interested in I can give you some ideas.

    yours sincerely

    Benedek Kalmár

Comments are closed.

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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