João Vale de AlmeidaDistinguished Diplomat and Former European Union Ambassador

João Vale de Almeida is a pre-eminent figure in international diplomacy, possessing over 40 years of experience at the highest echelons of global governance. He notably served as the European Union’s inaugural Ambassador to the United Kingdom following Brexit, having previously held the prestigious roles of EU Ambassador to the United Nations and to the United States. During his tenure in Washington and New York, he navigated complex relations across the Obama and Trump administrations. His deep influence on European policy was established earlier in his career as Chief of Staff to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, where he was central to the negotiation of the Treaty of Lisbon and represented the EU at G8 and G20 summits. Throughout his distinguished career, João has worked closely with a vast array of world leaders, including Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, Barack Obama, and Vladimir Putin. In his acclaimed book, The Divorce of Nations, he provides an authoritative examination of the shifting global order and the fractures currently reshaping international relations. Following his retirement from diplomatic service, he has transitioned into academia as a Visiting Fellow at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and continues to contribute to global policy as a senior advisor to the European Policy Centre. Audiences book João for his unparalleled ability to decode the complexities of geopolitics and transatlantic relations. He offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the defining events of our time, from the rise of China to the war in Ukraine, making him an essential voice for understanding the future of the international landscape. On stage, João Vale de Almeida is best known for talks on Politics & Geopolitics. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Education, Politics & Government and Social Impact & Advocacy, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. João Vale de Almeida is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, João Vale de Almeida travels internationally for engagements and can present in Portuguese as well as English. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how João Vale de Almeida would approach your audience.