Dear Members and Friends,
This week, the UK Government’s spending review revealed a bolstering of departmental spending towards defence; science, innovation and technology; health and social care; and border security funding. The FCDO was among one of the hardest hit, with spending set to fall 8.3% over the next three years, and Rachel Reeves restating that increases to defence spending were made possible by cuts to foreign aid.
With clear budgetary constraints for the UK’s work internationally, it is increasingly important for us to leverage our members’ wealth of experience and expertise. On that note, we are excited to continue supporting the members of FCDO’s SME Advisory Forum to engage with the wider SME community, as we host an online session on 3rd July. 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. We will be joined by Dr Sue Griffiths, Managing Director at Social Development Direct; Victoria Harvey, Managing Director at GovRisk; Dr Beverley Jandziol, Commercial Director – Programmes at the FCDO; and Elaine Woodbine, Commercial Lead - Market Creation, Supply Chain Management at the FCDO.
Activities at 23 Grafton Street this week started on Monday with The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, who spoke on the role of science and soft power as part of The British Foreign Policy Group’s work on this theme with the Wellcome Trust. The former Prime Minister of Australia shared insights from her leadership in science, global health and development policy, and reflected on how the UK can leverage its scientific strengths more effectively as a form of soft power. She also spoke about her work with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which was a brilliant precursor for the following day as we hosted Laura Frigenti, Chief Executive Officer of GPE and her team for a roundtable with our Heads of Business in international development. Laura discussed how the UK can continue its support for global education and remain a leader in this space, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Also on Tuesday, we hosted two virtual events. In the morning, “Public-Private Partnerships in the Philippines” provided an overview of the new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) legal framework, bringing insights on best practice in engaging on PPP projects in the Philippines, and showcasing some of the specific opportunities that would be a good fit for UK organisations in the sectors of Transport and Information and Communication Technology.
On Tuesday afternoon, we hosted a deep dive on Upstream project work with the International Finance Corporation. This insightful and engaging session showcased examples of IFC's engagements in the agribusiness and education sectors.
On Wednesday, we held our Climate Change Networking Evening with Virginie Fayolle, Head of Climate at Mott MacDonald International Development Services. Virginie spoke about her career journey in climate adaptation, discussed considerations for locally-led approaches and community engagement, and brought specific examples from a current Mott MacDonald programme in Nepal, supporting the resilience of vulnerable groups and communities to climate risks and other hazards through increased government capacity to prevent, adapt, anticipate and absorb shocks.
Next week, we are looking forward to “Best Practice Approaches to Sector and Place-Based Skills,” taking place on Tuesday, 17 June. In collaboration with our sister organisation the D Group, this event will be a ‘Best Practice Review’ of the approach taken in the nuclear industry to build a truly collaborative approach across Government, industry, academia, education and commerce to address the long-term need for the nuclear industry.
Next Wednesday 18 June we will host a webinar on “Navigating Risk & Opportunity in Ukraine” in partnership with BEI members Prevail Partners. The panel will provide an overview of the current investment landscape, market entry and risk management considerations in Ukraine to support UK organisations navigating opportunities in a rapidly changing environment.
In week of 23rd June, we are hosting a series of events coinciding with London Climate Action Week, including: a special BEI Climate Change Networking Evening with Jamie Fergusson, Global Director for Climate at the International Finance Corporation (IFC); an International Development Heads of Business roundtable with Rebecca Fabrizi, FCDO SIDS Envoy; a roundtable on Achieving Systems Change for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Adaptation; and a virtual panel on Blended Finance as a Catalyst for Systems Change.
At the start of July, our ‘Meet the Ambassador’ programme will see us welcome UK Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, South Africa, and a new addition, Algeria.
Looking forward to 8th July, we are delighted to announce an in-person panel titled ‘Rethinking Water Resilience: Strategies for a Changing World’ to celebrate the launch of a new edition of BEI’s Water Resilience Working Group positioning paper. This updated edition explores essential themes that underpin Water Resilience in today's rapidly changing environment, including project and blended finance to accelerate water initiatives, the critical importance of energy security for water security, and the role of governance and political will in driving resilience, offering practical tools for sustainable water management in an evolving landscape.
Much to look forward to, including the sunny weekend ahead…
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- 10th June 2025: International Finance Corporation (IFC): Working Upstream
- 10th June 2025: Public-Private Partnerships in the Philippines
- 5th June 2025: Intersection of Climate Change and Social Security
- 29th May 2025: Deep Dive Into Infrastructure Opportunities in Kazakhstan
Key events coming up include the following:
- 17th June 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: Best Practice Approaches to Sector and Place Based Skills - Join us for a ‘Best Practice Review’ of the approach taken in the Nuclear Industry to build a truly collaborative approach across Government, Industry, Academia, Education and Commerce to address the long term need for Nuclear Industry- specific skills and the place based skills requirements for specific towns (like Barrow and Plymouth) with high density of specific skills requirement.
- 18th June 2025 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Navigating Risk & Opportunity in Ukraine - Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts present unique partnership opportunities for UK organisations. Our panel, organised in partnership with BEI members Prevail Partners, will provide an overview of the investment landscape, market entry and risk management considerations to help UK organisations navigate opportunities in a rapidly changing environment.
- 19th June 2025 12:00 – 13:00 BST: 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. If you are interested in joining this Working Group, please contact Alex Murr via am@britishexpertise.org.
- 24th June 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: Climate Change Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, potential new partnerships and the chance to meet with members of our Climate Change Working Group. As we celebrate London Climate Action Week, we are delighted to welcome Jamie Fergusson, Global Director for Climate at the IFC.
- 26th June 2025 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Achieving Systems Change for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Adaptation - This roundtable will explore the complexities of Disaster Risk Management, with a particular focus on Early Warning Systems and locally-led solutions to resilience, and discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges.
- 26th June 2025 15:00 – 16:30 BST: Blended Finance as a Catalyst for Systems Change - Bringing together expert voices driving systems change across finance, sustainability and climate resilience, this virtual panel will explore how blended finance can form part of sustainable strategies for driving business growth and long-term resilience.
- 30th June 2025 09:30 – 11:00 BST: Meet the Ambassador: Nigeria & Ghana - Join us in person as we welcome Dr. Richard Montgomery CMG, British High Commissioner to Nigeria & Harriet Thompson, British High Commissioner to Ghana.
- 30th June 2025 11:30 – 12:30 BST: Meet the Ambassador: Ethiopia - Join us in person as we welcome Darren Welch, British Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
- 30th June 2025 13:30 - 15:00 BST: Meet the Ambassador: Mongolia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Turkmenistan - Join us in person as we welcome His Majesty’s Ambassadors to Mongolia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Turkmenistan.
- 30th June 2025 15:30 – 17:00 BST: Meet the Ambassador: Armenia & Azerbaijan - Join us in person as we welcome John Gallagher, British Ambassador to Armenia & Fergus Auld, British Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
- 2nd July 2025 09:30 – 11:30 BST: Education Working Group Meeting and Workshop - Join us for a special meeting of the Education Working Group to discuss how the UK education sector can respond to recent shocks to the global education system. We will consult with members on the best possible outcomes from this discussion, which could include a one-pager to share with key stakeholders ahead of a seminar in the autumn.
- 3rd July 2025 14:00 – 15:30 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.
- 4th July 2025 10:00 – 11:00 BST: Meet the Ambassador: Algeria - Join us as we welcome James Downer, British Ambassador to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on Friday 4th July from 10:00am – 11:00am BST.
- 7th July 2025 10:00 – 11:00 BST: Meet the Ambassador: South Africa - Join us as we welcome Antony Phillipson CMG, British High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa.
- 8th July 2025 10:30 – 14:00 BST: Rethinking Water Resilience: Strategies for a Changing World - The BEI Water Resilience Working Group is launching a new edition of its report, "Water Resilience – Unlocking Local and Global Benefits Through Collaboration." First published a year ago, this updated edition reflects the significant shifts in the geopolitical and funding landscape over the past 12 months. We’ve re-examined how policymakers and delivery partners can navigate and strengthen Water Resilience in an evolving world.
- 14th July 2025 10:30 – 19:00 BST: ADB Roadshow: Applying British Solutions for Asian Growth and Development - Join us at Arup’s offices (80 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QS) as British Expertise International host a senior delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of the 2025 ADB UK Roadshow programme. The UK Roadshow aims to connect the ADB with the latest UK expertise, technologies and solutions that can drive Asia’s growth and development.
- 15th July 2025 11:00 – 12:30 BST: Meet UKEF – Africa & LATAC - This virtual event will offer UK organisations a valuable opportunity to explore UKEF's diverse offerings, engage directly with UKEF stakeholders and gain key insights on pipelines in Africa and LATAC.
External Events and Reports:
- 16th June 2025: Unlocking Opportunities: An Introduction to Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) - This fast-paced 45-minute webinar will introduce you to the world of MDBs—what they are, why they matter, and how UK stakeholders can engage. With expert insights from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the World Bank, you'll walk away with a strategic overview and practical tools to get started.
- 19th June 2025: Leveraging Innovation to Unlock Greater Security and Prosperity with Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, Chief Executive Officer, Ploughshare - Ploughshare's purpose is to take scientific and technical innovations developed in government departments and find ways for them to benefit the UK economy and society as a whole. In her role, Hetti navigates the world of civil service and government at the same time as being part of the innovation eco-system; she will review the challenges and opportunities implicit in the SDR’s focus on UK Innovation. Email Daniel Bregman via daniel@dgroup.co.uk to register.
- 19th – 21st June 2025: Central Asian Expo (CAEx), Tashkent, Uzbekistan - Eco Expo Central Asia will be the region’s largest international platform for dialogue and collaboration on environmental protection and sustainable development. The event will bring together leading experts, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the world. Key exhibition sections will include: Green energy, Clean-tech and smart environmental solutions, Water-saving technologies, Green transport, Sustainable agriculture, Environmental education, Green finance, Green construction, Eco-tourism, AI and ecology, FMCG sustainability initiatives, Aral Sea and Priaral region ecology, Urban greening and landscaping, Protected natural areas. Further details are available, here.
- 25th – 26th August 2025: World Women Entrepreneurs Forum (WWEF), Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - The World Women Entrepreneurs Forum (WWEF) emerges in response to this urgent need—to not only celebrate the progress made, but to challenge the systems that limit it. Held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, under the theme Inspire, Impact, Invest, the Forum will serve as a global platform to uplift women entrepreneurs by fostering connection, capacity, and capital. It will bring together leaders, changemakers, investors, and advocates to co-create an ecosystem where womenled businesses thrive and transform economies.
- 3rd – 5th September 2025: KazBuild 2025, Kazakhstan: Stand booking is now open for international exhibitors at KazBuild exhibition in Kazakhstan - the largest international building and interiors exhibition in Kazakhstan, annually welcoming over 7,000 specialist trade visitors to the show. KazBuild will be held 3-5 September 2025 in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan. Held since 1994, the exhibition showcases the latest products, services, technologies, and projects available on the market, and provides a key platform for governmental and building industry professionals to exchange experiences, establish cooperation and share the latest industry developments. Please contact Mrs. Tatyana Borodikhina by email: tatyana.borodikhina@exhibitions-conferences.com to learn more about how KazBuild can help to establish your business in Kazakhstan.
- 28th – 31st October 2025: AME Trade - 15th edition of Africa PPP in Windhoek, Namibia - Africa PPP 2025 is the longest running infrastructure finance, investment, and partnership summit, focused on increasing private sector participation in infrastructure development through viable PPPs and innovative financing mechanisms, for a sustainable economic growth. The event is organized with the support of Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Ministry of Works and Transport of Namibia at the prestigious Hilton Conference Centre in Windhoek, Namibia. Africa PPP includes two-days Conference, one day masterclass on Project Preparation and one day Touristic and/or Technical Tours.
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