Europe’s competitiveness: building what comes next

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Digital & Data Governance

18Nov2026

starts 19:00

ends 21:30

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Europe’s competitiveness debate has largely focused on the structural reforms needed to strengthen productivity, investment, innovation and growth.

But the environment in which those reforms must now be delivered is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Geopolitical tensions, security threats, economic pressure, technological disruption, fiscal constraints and political uncertainty are changing the conditions under which European governments and businesses operate. The question is therefore no longer simply how Europe becomes more competitive, but how it builds competitiveness that can withstand disruption, adapt to shocks and continue delivering under pressure.

This Policymakers’ Dinner will provide an informal setting for senior decisionmakers to explore this idea of resilient competitiveness.

Rather than approaching resilience as a defensive agenda, the discussion will examine whether the ability to anticipate, absorb and adapt to disruption should itself become a source of European competitive advantage.

Held under the Chatham House Rule, the dinner-debate will bring together senior policymakers, business leaders, experts and civil society representatives for a focused discussion on how Europe can build a more resilient model of competitiveness – one that can adapt to geopolitical, economic and technological disruption while continuing to support innovation, investment and growth.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Shutterstock| zmotions

Schedule

What does competitiveness look like in a world where disruption is the new normal?
Where is Europe most vulnerable — economically, technologically and geopolitically?
Can Europe turn resilience from a defensive necessity into an economic advantage?

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Speakers

Sapthagiri Chapalapalli is a senior executive at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), currently serving as the Head of TCS Europe, with over 25 years of experience spanning India, Europe and North America. In Europe, he led TCS’s transformation into a strategic partner for growth and digital innovation, integrating sustainability into organisational strategy. Chapalapalli combines expertise in business management and technology to drive large-scale digital and operational initiatives.

Dharmendra Kanani is Director of Policy & Programmes and Chief Spokesperson at Friends of Europe. Prior to joining Friends of Europe, Dharmendra was director of policy at the European Foundation Centre (EFC). He was the England director at the Big Lottery Fund, the largest independent funder in the UK and fourth largest in the world. Dharmendra has held senior positions in the public and voluntary sectors and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.

Apostolia Karamali is a member of the Cabinet of European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, advising on space policy. She has extensive experience in European space, security, research and innovation policy. Previously, Karamali served as Head of the Director-General’s Cabinet at the European Space Agency (ESA). At the European Commission, she held several senior positions, including Head of Unit for Research and Innovation Actors and Research Infrastructures and Deputy Head of Unit for Space Policy and Research. Her expertise also covers Earth observation and research infrastructure development.

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