BEI Weekly Update - 13 February 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

For BEI, this week’s programme has seen a mixture of familiar territory and new opportunities. We report below on two events on water resilience, as well as an unusual opportunity to introduce infrastructure members to the Minister of Economy and Finance of Uruguay and his team, who described the impressive economic context for a number of important infrastructure programmes. We’ve also learned more this week about the international development conference the FCDO is planning for May and will shortly be discussing with members how we hope to become involved in this important event in the evolution of development policy.

First, we were delighted to be joined by the Minister of Economy and Finance of Uruguay, Gabriel Oddone, and his team to hear about opportunities for infrastructure-related partnerships. Uruguay has undergone two decades of economic growth and is entering a new phase of major infrastructure projects which UK infrastructure firms are well placed to support. These include rail, ports and other transport upgrades, expanding renewable energy and grid/storage networks, some under PPP or similar frameworks. Senior officials Isabella Antonaccio, National Director of Free Trade Zones (FTZ) and Herman Kamil, Director of the Debt Management Unit at the Ministry provided valuable detail on the Government’s plans and information as to how British companies could engage with the Ministry and other relevant public bodies. Many thanks to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the British Embassy in Montevideo and the Embassy of Uruguay here in London.

On Thursday, we hosted two sessions both on water resilience. First, a roundtable with the World Bank Group’s (WBG) Global Water Director, Saroj Kumar Jha, together with Richard Colback, Global Co-Lead – Water for Food. As the World Bank Group (WBG) accelerates implementation of its Water Strategy (FY25–30) and prepares to launch Mission Water at the 2026 Spring Meetings, Mr Jha and his team representing all the constituent parts of the World Bank Group working together are enhancing the Bank’s efforts to engage with the private sector as a vital player in achieving their ambitions. Their visit to London, the first of its kind, was part of these efforts and it is good that they are keen to continue the engagement with the support of the Bank’s London office. We were also joined by WBG colleagues who presented case studies on Private Sector Participation (PSP). Nicola R. Saporiti Senior Investment Officer, at the International Finance Corporation, shared insights into "Kigali Bulk Water Supply" investment project and Zacharias Michael Ziegelhoefer, Senior Water Specialist, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development highlighted the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project.

Later on the same day, we held an online session in partnership with Arup which explored how we can reduce risk and unlock funding for water resilience. The session provided insights into how UK organisations can better understand the conditions for creating investment-ready environments which reduce climate risk and unlock funding for urban water infrastructure.

Elsa Germain, Civil Engineer at Arup, and Fitsum Gelaye, Senior Manager, Programmes at the Resilient Cities Network, started the discussion by introducing urban water resilience challenges and demonstrating how inclusive risk assessments inform resilience planning. Harry Vardigans, Head of Insurance at Fathom, explored how robust flood modelling and risk data enable insurers and cities better to understand, price and manage climate risks, ultimately unlocking finance and catalysing progress. Derek Weston, Associate Direct at Pegasys, explored how public-private collaboration, underpinned by strategic risk assessment, can attract climate finance for urban water systems. Finally, Doogie Black, CEO at Climate Sense, took a closer look at how adaptive capacity can be measured and developed at a systemic level to help delivery, reduce risks and encourage investment. Many thanks to our speakers and attendees for joining us for this event.

For those who found these events useful, the next meeting of our Water Resilience Working Group will take place next week on 19 February.

In the weeks ahead we look forward to welcoming back the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) on 26 February in the shape of Commissioner Harold Freeman. He will discuss ICAI’s latest review on the effectiveness of the UK’s support for clean energy transition in low- and middle-income countries. If you are interested in joining, please register here.

Following this week’s water event, our collaboration with the World Bank Group moves on apace and it’s great news that they remain keen to engage with suppliers in demystifying the MDB procurement progress.  On 24 February at 13:00-14:30 GMT, they will convene an online session to help industry suppliers tap into new MDB-financed opportunities in the transport sector and will also cover opportunities in the context of the Global Gateway initiative.  Speakers will include representatives of a number of international organisations including the World Bank Group (WBG), European Commission, European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Please register here.

Also on 24^th February from 15:00-16:00 GMT, the Bank will be hosting the inaugural session of the World Bank Group London Speaker Series: “Reboot Development”. The session will provide insights into the WBG Guarantee Platform, its role in fostering investment and its impact on development projects. Click here to register to join in person, or you can join via Teams with the passcode VS3ox9by.

Finally, BEI members City & Guilds are conducting a short 10-minute survey as part of their work supporting Future.Now. The survey will inform research to better understand employers' digital skills needs and perceptions across the skills sector. If this is relevant to your business, please consider completing the survey, which can be found at Essential Digital Skills: Employer Perceptions Survey.

After a busy week, I wish you a restful weekend ahead,

David Landsman

Executive Chair  

British Expertise International

Event Recordings and Resources:

(Member access only)‍

• 12th February 2026 - Reducing Risk & Unlocking Funding for Water Resilience
• 27th January 2026 - Unlocking Free Trade Agreements and CPTPP in Practice
• 22nd January 2026 - COP30 Insights
• 10th December 2025 - Integrating Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into Education Systems
• 2nd December 2025 - Working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• 4th November 2025 - India - Water Resilience
• 23rd October 2025 - Trade and Investment Opportunities in the British Overseas Territories
• 18th September 2025 - Infrastructure Opportunities in South Africa
• 16th September 2025 - Meet UKEF: Asia and the Middle-East

Upcoming BEI Events:

• 19th February 2026 12:00 – 13:00 GMT: Water Resilience Working Group - The UK has a distinctive offer and world-leading expertise in sustainable and climate-resilient water services. This group, in partnership with UK government, IFIs and other key stakeholders, aims to define that offer and leverage it to increase exports.‍
• 26th February 2026 13:30 – 15:30 GMT: ICAI Review: UK Aid for Energy Transition - A new review from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) assesses the effectiveness of the UK’s support for clean energy transition in low- and middle-income countries. Join Harold Freeman, lead commissioner at ICAI for this review, and other panellists to discuss the findings of the report, the government’s response and how UK aid can be used most effectively to meet this global challenge.
• 3rd March 2026 10:00 – 12:00 GMT: Ethical AI in International Development - As the first in a series of upcoming events, this in-person panel will provide a timely opportunity to explore the role of AI in international development. Speakers will highlight frameworks for the ethical use of AI across the international development sector, how AI can accelerate sustainable development, the challenges and opportunities for AI integration in emerging and developing countries, alongside corresponding case studies.
• 12th March 2026 10:30 – 12:00 GMT: Transforming India’s Water Sector: Non-Revenue Water Trends & Growth Opportunities - In collaboration with the UK Department for Business and Trade and the British High Commission in India, this webinar will explore trends and growth opportunities in India's water sector. The session will highlight the recent UK-India Free Trade Agreement and its implications for ease of doing business, alongside the government-funded programmes and opportunities in the India water supply sector. Private sector operators in India will also share perspectives on non-revenue water management.
• 17th March 2026 09:00 – 10:30 GMT: Towards COP17: Urban and Rural Synergies for Water Resilience in Mongolia - As COP17 draws global attention to climate resilience, this platform will showcase current Mongolian efforts and discuss transferable tools and innovations with UK water experts. This virtual panel will convene policymakers, researchers and practitioners to explore Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) strategies that can reinforce water security and drive sustainable development across both urban and rural settings in the Tuul River Basin.
• Date and Time TBC: Strengthening Equitable and Inclusive Health - This in-person panel event will explore best practice for strengthening global health systems. With a focus on equitable and inclusive health, the session will highlight gender and disability inclusion, with a deep dive on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SHRH) programming within international development programming.

Register for an upcoming event →

External Events and Resources:

• 24th February 2026 13:00 – 14:30 GMT: World Bank Group Transport Procurement Opportunities - This session aims to help industry suppliers tap into new MDB-financed opportunities in the transport sector and will also cover opportunities in the context of the Global Gateway initiative.  Speakers will include representatives of a number of international organisations including the World Bank Group (WBG), European Commission, European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Please register here.
• 24th February 2026 15:00 – 16:00 GMT: World Bank Group London Speaker Series: “Reboot Development” - This session will provide insights into the WBG Guarantee Platform, its role in fostering investment and its impact on development projects. Click here to register to join in person, or you can join via Teams with the passcode VS3ox9by.
• 5th March 2026 14:00 – 15:30 GMT - Women Working in Development: Safeguarding in times of turbulence - Building on the launch of BDO’s partnership with The Safeguarding Alliance, this event is aimed at women and men in the international development sector seeking to exchange ideas and experiences. This panel, composed of esteemed experts, brings a diverse range of perspectives on where the priorities lie and where impact can be maximised across the programme lifecycle, from prevention to response.
• March 5th 2026 10:00 – 13:00 at Armenia Marriott Hotel, Ararat Ballroom: Financing UK-Armenia Trade: UK Export Finance (UKEF) opportunities. This session will explore UK–Armenia trade partnerships, strengthen the UK’s commercial presence in Armenia, and highlight UKEF as a key enabler of sustainable, bankable projects in the market. This event will be particularly relevant to BEI's infrastructure and energy members. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexpertise.org if you are interested in joining.  
• Cambridge Education Legacy Webinar Series - A special legacy webinar series sharing key lessons from 45 years of supporting education systems worldwide, with a look ahead to the future of the global education sector.
• City & Guilds: Essential Digital Skills: Employer Perceptions Survey

News & Articles:

• News: Strategy International Group’s Advisory Board Member: The Lord Forbes of Newcastle CBE by British Expertise International
• Press Release: Minister Gabriel Oddone travels to the United Kingdom to strengthen economic and financial ties by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Uruguay
• Press Release: British Expertise International – Helping UK Education Service Providers to Forge Global Partnerships by British Expertise International
• Yearly review: Strategy International 2025 Yearbook by Strategy International
• Article: 2025 Christmas Message from British Expertise International
• Report: From Strategy to Delivery: What New Zealand Can Learn from the UK Infrastructure System from Infrastructure New Zealand
• Written evidence: Future of UK aid and development assistance from British Expertise International
• Communique: UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 2025: communiqué from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Article: Infrastructure as Legacy: UK Perspectives on Strategic Delivery and Innovation by Sasha Barnes and Sofia Pennacchietti
• Press Release: Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council Business Engagement Session from British Expertise International
• Article: Why Water is Everyone’s Business: A UK Perspective on Global Water Challenges by Evie Ramsay
• Article: Ukraine’s Recovery – Mobilising Private Sector Engagement by Sasha Barnes
• Article: Global Energy Landscapes: Key Takeaways and Insights by Sofia Pennacchietti
• Press Release: Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, South Africa, Mr Dean Macpherson at British Expertise International (BEI) from British Expertise International
• Article: Shaping the Future of the Higher Education Sector by Evie Ramsay
• Article: With FCDO slashing budgets, where will UK NGOs turn for funding? from DevEx
• Report: Water Resilience - Unlocking local and global benefits through collaboration (Second Edition) by British Expertise International & Water Resilience Working Group
• Report: Systems Strengthening: The UK Education providers’ contribution to the global education systems by British Expertise International & Education Working Group
• Report: Beyond Boundaries: The Role of UK-Based Organisations in Advancing Global Gender Equality and Social Inclusion by British Expertise International and its members delivering GES

Not a member?

Apply for membership →

‍
Learn more

For more information about British Expertise International: Sign up to receive this Weekly Update

• View our upcoming events
• Becoming a member
• Follow us on X‍
• Follow us on Linkedin