In the spotlight: Honorary Consul - Chester - United Kingdom
In the spotlight: Honorary Consul - Chester
What does an Honorary Consul do? Our Honorary Consul in Chester, Maud Duthie - van der Venne shares her experiences. She is covering the geographical areas of Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Lancaster North Wales, West and South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Isle of Man.
Could you please introduce yourself and share what your connection with the Netherlands is?
My name is Maud Duthie‑van der Venne, and I am the Dutch Honorary Consul for Northwest England, North Wales, Derbyshire and the Isle of Man. Although I left the Netherlands more than 32 years ago, my connection has never diminished. Family ties, children studying in the Netherlands, and my professional work delivering training, collaborating with Dutch companies, and working closely with universities and researchers keep me firmly connected to both countries.
How would you explain your role as Honorary Consul?
I describe my role as helping people and organisations find their way. That includes supporting UK — and sometimes Dutch — companies with introductions, stakeholder engagement, and navigating local networks. I also represent the Netherlands at conferences where I’m invited to speak about my experience and knowledge. My consultancy work focuses on supporting business growth, innovation and upskilling, and acting as a conduit between academia and industry — all of which naturally complement the consular role.
What would be a moment that stands out in your role?
A standout moment has been joining two of the oldest consular institutions in the world: the Liverpool Consular Corps and the Manchester Consular Association. I was first invited to join the Liverpool European Partnership Network, where I now chair the academic pillar. It is an honour to be involved, not only because of the role, but because my background and expertise genuinely contribute to shaping initiatives that existed on paper but needed practical direction. More recently, I was asked to sit on the board of the Liverpool Consular Corps which is fantastic as I am able to engage with other HC’s and learn from their expertise and knowledge.
What makes your region so special and what (business) opportunities do you see there for Dutch companies, organizations and individuals?
The region I cover is geographically broad and economically diverse. It brings together high‑tech industries, world‑class universities, active organisations and strong international ambition. Opportunities for Dutch companies range from advanced manufacturing, sustainability and health innovation to education partnerships, creative industries, and the food and drink sector — still one of my favourites, not just for the sampling but for the innovation driving a more sustainable and future‑proofed industry.
