In June, Eric Donjon, Honorary Consul for France for the North of England and Board member of International Newcastle, hosted a visit of Mr Jean Charles Ledot, the French Deputy Consul General to Newcastle. He toured the city and met with French business and community leaders living in the city and region. This was an important visit, profiling the French presence and contributions to life in the city and region.
Me Ledot met with local company Hyserve, which specializes in hydraulic engineering, which has several French nationals in its teams (including the director). He also met with French business and community representatives at the consular offices in Newcastle. Pictured above: Mr Jacques Poltronieri, NHS anaesthetist; Mr Grégory Bureau, Restaurateur; Mrs Natalie PARIS – Representative of the Alliance française de Newcastle; Mr Jean-Charles Ledot, Deputy Consul General of France; Mrs Cynthia Tavars, Director of La Petite École de Newcastle; Mr Damien Glorieux, Director of Ubisoft (French company, development of electronic games); Mr Sébastien Gheerbrant, Deputy Director of Hyserve; and Mr Eric DONJON – Honorary Consul for the North of England, based in Newcastle.
Eric Donjon and the Deputy Consul General also took part in a commemoration of D-Day landings at the Discovery Museum with representatives of the 12/18 Royal Hussars and Northumberland Hussars.
Pictured with Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums Director, Keith Merrin and representatives from the regiments involved in D-Day.
The French in Newcastle and the North East
- More than 1,300 French people are settled in the region
- 180 identify as dual nationals (14%)
- They have an average age of 36.5 years
- 1,092 French people are registered on the consular electoral list
- More than 25% of the region’s French community live in Newcastle
Newcastle and Nancy twinning link
Newcastle has been twinned with Nancy in France since 1954. There are a range of university, business and civic links and International Newcastle and the City Council (School Effectiveness) have supported the development of more than 25 schools links since 2020. We encourage schools teaching French to get links to support their language work, as well as build relationships between children and young people.
We have also supported applications to the Turing Scheme for international visits and since 2021 a number of Newcastle schools have visited Nancy aided by this funding. These visits can be life changing for those involved and bring a wide range of benefits for pupils, staff and the schools. They help raise ambitions, build skills and widen perspectives, giving children new experiences of travel and international connections. You can find out more about our links with Nancy and support for school partnerships here.
Our Honorary Consul – Eric Donjon
Eric Donjon has been the Honorary Consul for France in the region since 2016. He supports French nationals with certificates and issues around living in the UK, as well as promoting and profiling France and French connections in the region.
You can contact Eric by email: agenceconsulairenewcastle@gmail.com or at the offices at 26 Forth Place, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 4EU by appointment only.
Click here for more information on the role of honorary consuls here.