Launch Event: Task Force on the Future of UK Sanctions Policy

As the UK prepares to leave the European Union it is at a critical juncture of its sanctions policy. While the government has established the necessary architecture to continue to design and implement sanctions after Brexit, it is less clear how these powers will be used in practice. The UK could use its newly-gained independence to become a leader, designing sanctions that are proactive tools of its foreign policy objectives. The UK could also choose to closely align its future policy with that of the EU’s, whilst balancing the needs of its other strategic partners such as the US.

The creation of RUSI’s Task Force on the Future of UK Sanctions Policy, composed of former officials, academic and policy experts and private sector senior executives, will examine these issues over the next 12 months. You can read more about RUSI’s work on sanctions, and the task force, here.

This public event marks the formal launch of the task force. It featured remarks from government representatives, task force members and RUSI experts, who examined the opportunities and challenges ahead for UK sanctions policy.

Opening Remarks:

Qudsi Rasheed, Head of Sanctions Unit and Deputy Director, Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Panel:

• Chair: Emil Dall, Research Fellow, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, RUSI
• Helene Goodman, Europe Head of Sanctions, HSBC
• Erica Moret, Senior Researcher, The Graduate Institute, Geneva 
• Michael O'Kane, Senior Partner, Peters & Peters
• Kate Johnston, Sanctions Unit, HM Foreign and Commonwealth Office