An entourage of top UK entrepreneurs met with French President Emmanuel Macron this week to boost ties between the countries on technology and business post-Brexit. Transferwise founder Taavet Hinrikus and Monzo founder Tom Blomfield were amongst a delegation of 50 representatives from startups with a combined worth of £5m.

Macron was accompanied by French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe and a number of French tech investors and founders.

The UK tech sector has been vocal with its concerns that Brexit will have a damaging impact on the industry, with investors expected to shift their focus out of the country, and a skills shortage anticipated after losing access to the EU workforce. It is hoped that the meeting, led by the International Conclave of Entrepreneurs, will promote closer ties with the French tech sector, and lead to greater collaboration in the future.

Hinrikus said: “Close relations with Europe have always been important to companies such as ours. Not only because it’s a huge market on our doorstep but also because of the access to talent it offers. A thriving tech ecosystem in Europe is good for the economic growth of the every country in the region. In light of Brexit, it is even more important to work with together with the rest of Europe.”