Who is the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier?
The European Commission has appointed former French minister Michel Barnier as its chief Brexit negotiator.
Michel Barnier is in charge of preparing for talks between the UK and EU following the vote to leave the union.
He took up the role on 1 October 2016 and the European Commission said in a statement: "In line with the principle of ‘no negotiation without notification,’ the task of the chief negotiator in the coming months will be to prepare the ground internally for the work ahead."
Who is he?
Michel Barnier, 65, has had a long career in French politics and has held many top jobs in both the French and European parliament.
The married father-of-three started his political career aged just 21 when he became one of the youngest ever local representatives of his alpine region, the Savoie, before making it to the national government six years later.
He spent two years as France's minister for agriculture, representing France's rural community, before taking up the post as Europe's financial services commissioner.
In 2006 he worked as a special adviser to José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission.
He held the post of EU commissioner for internal markets and services between 2010 and 2014 and called for more financial regulation.
What experience does he have?
He has a long career in politics including the posts of French minister and European commissioner.
When he was Commissioner for the Internal Market and Financial Services, Mr Barnier was dubbed "the most dangerous man in Europe" after taking on the banking sector and championing a cap on bankers' bonuses.
He was a French foreign minister between 2004 and 2005 and was tasked with smoothing relations after France's refusal to back the Iraq War.
He also clashed with the UK's Minister for Exiting the European Union, David Davis when they both served as Europe ministers in the 1990s.
What does he stand for?
Mr Barnier will bring with him to the table a pro-European agenda and a deep knowledge of the workings of the single market.
In a press statement on Tuesday, he warned the UK any deal it secures will have to be inferior to EU membership and said he thought it was a mistake for the UK to leave the EU.
He is known to be a tough negotiator and is likely to take a hard line on EU rules.
He has previously said Britain will have to accept freedom of movement - "without exception or nuance" - if it wants to retain access to the single market."
He has said he wants to “reach an agreement in any case”.