BEI Weekly Update - 11th September 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

The line between domestic and foreign policy has rarely appeared thinner than it has this week. As the old saying goes, it’s probably “too soon” to understand the implications of big foreign policy decisions, especially in such an uncertain world. But for those of us involved in finding opportunities and meeting challenges internationally, understanding the political and economic connections between domestic and foreign has never been more important. The Prime Minister emphasised this week that the UK will always stand up for the “underdog” and here at BEI and with our sister organisation The British Foreign Policy Group, we have been thinking about what this international posture means for the fields we work in – from international development to trade policy. We often find that a useful foundation is in BFPG’s Annual Survey of public opinion, which speaks to how Britons view the world and the UK’s place in it. As ever, we encourage you to take a look and let us know what you’d like to know more about.  

This Monday, we were delighted to welcome back UK Friends of Ukraine for a roundtable focusing on the building blocks of displacement-sensitive recovery and the wider human architecture of Ukraine's recovery efforts.

On Tuesday evening, we were able to partner with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) for the UK-ADB Business Connect: Grids, Growth and Connectivity in South-East Asia.  We were delighted to hear introductory remarks from Naz Shah MP, UK Trade Envoy to ASEAN, alongside speakers from the Asian Development Bank and industry. The session offered insights into ADB energy sector priorities and investment opportunities across Asia and the Pacific, as well as practical guidance from procurement specialists on navigating bidding processes and procurement portals. Many thanks to all who attended, and to Naz Shah MP, UK BIST and the Asian Development Bank.  

Next week on Wednesday 16 September from 16:00-19:00 BST, together with Accenture we will hold the in-person launch of our "Water Risk & Finance: Bridging the Gap" paper, where our panel of contributors will explore what it takes to package water resilience and nature projects for private investment – and what financiers are looking for in return. This event will take place at Accenture’s offices, 30 Fenchurch St, EC3M 3BD. If you’re interested in joining, you can register here.  

We turn again to the subject of Water Resilience for our programme North of the Border at Strathclyde University’s Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow on October 6th, during “Resilient Water Systems: Global Perspectives from the UK”, a half-day event with two panel discussions in the margins of the IWA World Water Congress. If you are interested in registering, click the following links: Panel 1 – 08:30-10:00: From Point to Pipe: Financing Water’s Journey to Bankability, and Panel 2 – 10:30-12:00: Modelling the Margin: UK Water Availability in a Changing Climate.  

Even if you can’t join us in Scotland, do take a look at this piece from the Autumn edition of the Institute of Water Magazine by Grant Mason, Managing Director at Empower Advisory. The piece covers the UK water investment paradox and the need for both investment and upskilling. The article highlights that success is measured not by how much the UK invests in water infrastructure, but by how much more capable and productive the sector becomes as a result. You can read the piece here.  

On Thursday 17 September from 15:00-16:00 we look forward to our rescheduled SME wider community engagement session with the FCDO SME Advisory Forum. If you are interested in joining, register here.  

Also on Thursday 17 September we will be joined by Terence Lyons, CEO of TSC.ai for an informal roundtable session for public affairs and government relations specialists to explore how emerging technologies can maximise reach and impact. If you or colleagues (we’d be delighted to meet them!) are interested in joining, you can register here via our website or email Sofia Pennacchietti at sp@britishexpertise.org.  

Finally, as part of our ongoing work with Jordan, we are now gauging interest in a BEI-led trade mission to explore opportunities in the region most likely in the first quarter of 2027. Please do fill out the EOI form linked here if this trade mission would be of value to your organisation.  

Warm wishes for the weekend ahead,

David Landsman

Executive Chair  

British Expertise International

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External Events & Resources:

• Wednesday 16th September 2026 16:00 – 19:00 BST: Water Risk & Finance: Bridging the Gap - Join us and Accenture for an in-person launch of our "Water Risk & Finance: Bridging the Gap" paper, where our panel of contributors will explore what it takes to package water resilience and nature projects for private investment – and what financiers are looking for in return. Please note this event will take place at Accenture, 30 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 3BD.
• Thursday 17th September 2026 15:00 – 16:00 BST: SME wider community engagement with the FCDO SME Advisory Forum - BEI is delighted to continue supporting the members of FCDO’s SME Advisory Forum to engage with the wider SME community. Our aim is both to ensure that members of the Advisory Forum are briefed on the full range of views of the SME supplier community and to enable them to provide feedback on the discussions after their meetings.
• Thursday 17th September 2026 17:00 – 18:30 BST: Public Affairs: New ways to manage complexity - Join us for an informal roundtable session with Terence Lyons, CEO of TSC.ai, where we will convene public affairs and government relations specialists to share and discuss how emerging technology can maximise their reach and impact, especially ahead of the major party conferences.
• Thursday 24th September 2026 11:00 – 12:30 BST: FCDO Development Director Series: Tanzania - Join us on 3rd September as Anna Wilson, the Development Director in Tanzania for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), offers us updates on the current context on the ground as well as insights into FCDO’s development strategy in Tanzania.
• Tuesday 29th September 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Business Opportunities Webinars for Public Sector Projects - Join us for an online session with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) exploring business opportunities for public sector projects.
• Tuesday 29th September 2026 14:00 – 16:00 BST: Troubled Waters: The Strait of Hormuz in Focus - Join us for a panel discussion on the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, looking at the wider regional security picture and the implications for Yemen, maritime security, and Gulf dynamics.
• Tuesday 6th October 2026 08:30 – 10:00 BST: From Point to Pipe: Financing Water's Journey to Bankability - Join us in Glasgow as we host “Resilient Water Systems: Global Perspectives from the UK”, a half-day event with two panel discussions in the margins of the IWA World Water Congress. This panel is the first of the two and will explore what it takes to make water systems investable.
• Tuesday 6th October 2026 10:30 – 12:00 BST: Modelling the Margin: UK Water Availability in a Changing Climate - Join us in Glasgow as we host “Resilient Water Systems: Global Perspectives from the UK”, a half-day event with two panel discussions on the margins of the IWA World Water Congress. This panel is the second of the two and will explore what it takes to make water systems resilient amid the pressures climate change is placing on critical services.
• Wednesday 7th October 2026 09:00 – 15:00 BST: Resilience in the UK Energy Sector - Join us in Edinburgh on 7 October from 09:00 – 15:00 for a series of discussions on Resilience in the UK Energy Sector. The sessions will explore energy security and critical national infrastructure; grid modernisation, storage, and renewable integration; and workforce skills and supply chain resilience.
• Wednesday 7th October 2026 14:00 – 17:00 BST: The Power of Social and Emotional Learning: What happens when we get Early Years Education right? - Join us for an in-depth panel discussion focused on embedding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in early years education and the wider societal impact this has.
• Thursday 8th October 2026 09:30 – 16:15 BST: Scotland’s role in National Security and Resilience - Join us in Edinburgh as we explore Scotland’s role in National Security and Resilience from political and geopolitical perspectives, covering governance and cooperation, the defence industry and skills, as well as Scotland’s contribution to the Space sector.
• Thursday 8th October 2026 15:30 – 17:00 BST: Dominican Republic - Market Opportunity Overview - Join us for an online market overview focusing on the Dominican Republic, where our speakers will explore the trade and investment opportunity pipeline, support available to UK organisations and practical guidance on doing business in this growing Caribbean market.
• Monday 12th October 2026 15:30 – 17:00 BST: Resilience, Rights, and Reconstruction in Ukraine - BEI are delighted to host Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties, for an event held in collaboration with Insulate Ukraine that examines resilience and reconstruction efforts across the country.
• Tuesday 20th October 2026 08:00 – 18:00 BST: IDB Roadshow: From the UK to Latin America and the Caribbean: Unlocking Growth Opportunities with IDB Invest - Join IDB Invest, part of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, for a full-day roadshow event to unlock growth opportunities across the UK, Latin America and the Caribbean. The event will provide an opportunity to engage directly with the senior leadership of IDB Invest and key stakeholders from the United Kingdom and Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Wednesday 21st October 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Business Opportunities Webinars for Private Sector Projects - Join us for an online session with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) exploring business opportunities for private sector projects.

Event recordings and resources

Event recordings - BEI member access only

• Republic of Korea - Market Opportunity Overview
• Asian Development Bank Procurement Clinic
• Philippines - Market Opportunity Overview
• FCDO Development Director Series: Ukraine
• DFAT: Tender Requirements and Bid Writing

External Events & Resources:

• 14th September 2026: Have your say! Consultation launched for Indonesia, Philippines, UAE & Uruguay - BIST has launched a consultation on deepening the UK’s trade relationships with Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. This consultation will inform the next phase of the United Kingdom’s trade relationships as we determine how best to engage with these countries through CPTPP accession discussions or other trade policy mechanisms, including bilateral free trade agreements where applicable and relevant. You can read the Information Notes and submit your views and evidence here.
• 16th September 2026 13:00 - 17:00 (Roundtable) 17:00 - 19:00 (Reception) BST: From Complexity to Confidence: Helping NGOs Build Financial Resilience - Join fellow finance leaders for an afternoon of keynote presentations, practical discussion and peer networking as we explore how organisations can build financial resilience while navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.
• 16th September 2026 16:00 - 20:00 BST: Future of Learning Live 2026 - This Pearson's first flagship global virtual event, bringing together educators, education leaders, employers, innovators and technology experts to explore how we can build the bridge from learning to earning in an AI-powered world. The agenda covers topics including AI readiness, future skills, workforce preparation, AI literacy, and strengthening the connection between education and employment.
• 18th September - 2nd October 2026: D Contemporary and Conflict Textiles Exhibition: The Silent Vocal Language of Textiles - This September, to mark the International Day of Peace, we are working with Conflict Textiles to present The Silent Vocal Language of Textiles. The exhibition brings together historical arpilleras on loan from Ulster University, made by people living through conflict and its aftermath.
• 21st - 24th September 2026 - ADB Business Opportunities Fair 2026 in Metro Manila, Philippines - The Business Opportunities Fair will bring together ADB operational teams and suppliers across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, transport, energy, water, urban development, finance, digital, environment and climate, agribusiness, health, education, public sector management, and consulting services. Please email businessopportunities@adb.org for more information.
• 23rd September 2026 17:00 - 19:00 in Manila, Philippines: UK@BOF 60 & Beyond - This event is hosted by the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) in Manila on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Business Opportunities Fair. This year marks 60 years of partnership between the United Kingdom and the ADB, a longstanding collaboration that has supported sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific. The event will bring together UK Government, ADB colleagues, and industry leaders as well as development partners to build targeted connections, exchange delivery insights, and explore future opportunities.
• 24th September 2026 14:00 - 16:00 BST:  Employment Rights Act: What’s Changed & Are We Ready? - Join the Safeguarding Leads Network for a session on the Employment Rights Act. The coming changes are reshaping workplace protections in the UK, with some of the most significant updates strengthening duties around sexual harassment and whistleblowing.
• 29 September 2026 10:00 - 12:00 BST: How can countries turn strong TIMSS delivery into evidence that supports meaningful education improvement? - Exclusively for senior officials from Ministries of Education and governmental education authorities, Pearson Education Services, in collaboration with University College London (UCL) Institute of Education, is hosting a virtual workshop on 29 September 2026. Participation is limited to officials from Ministries of Education and government education authorities.
• 7th October 2026 16:00 - 17:30 CET: BID for the Americas: Increasing Business Opportunities for European Companies in Latin America and the Caribbean - Learn how the IDB supports European companies expanding their business engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean through trade promotion, project financing, public procurement, and investment. (Virtual Webinar)
• 17th - 19th November 2026: Ed Tech Pavilion at Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa - A curated exhibition floor inside Africa's largest tech event - 13,500+ decision-makers, 650+ policymakers, 250 investors. Stands, pitch slots, and pre-qualified buyer meetings for education and skills companies entering African markets. Packages close early September. Contact: ernest@edtechexchange.africa or Complete the expression of interest form.
• 19th November 2026: Jordan–European Union Investment Conference at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, Dead Sea, Jordan - The conference will bring together senior government representatives, investors and business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Jordan and strengthen cooperation across a number of key sectors.

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