Nov 13, 2026

BEI Weekly Update - 13th November 2026

by

David Landsman

by

Dear Members and Friends,

The world continues to digest the results of the U.S. Midterms and speculate on the implications for U.S. foreign policy, and therefore all of us, in 2027 and 2028. Our sister organisation, British Foreign Policy Group, will be publishing work on how the UK can navigate its foreign policy in an ever-changing international landscape, starting with a perspective on how things look on the other side of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy has talked this week about a window of opportunity before the New Year to move towards peace. While there is doubtless a long path ahead for Ukraine, it is never too soon to learn lessons from the conflict and to plan for reconstruction; our programme will be focusing on both in the coming weeks.

The first of the events focusing on Ukraine will take place early next week on Tuesday 17 November from 15:00-17:00 as our sister organisation The D Group will be hosting an in-person event on “Future Conflict Human Impact Assessment: Evidence from Ukraine to Inform UK Defence Readiness”. It will explore a first-of-its-kind field research project examining the human consequences of the most modern ongoing war following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The research brings direct evidence from the battlefield and from those living with its longer-term effects in Ukraine into the UK’s defence readiness conversation. For more information, click this link below to visit the BEI website. To register, please email events@dgroup.co.uk.

The following week on Wednesday 25th November from 11:00-12:30 GMT we will be hosting a webinar entitled “Ukraine Reconstruction: Managing Risk and Delivering Resilience”. Our panel of experts from Spearfish, Tetra Tech, EBRD and Kinstellar will cover the operational realities of delivering work in Ukraine. For UK businesses already operating in Ukraine or considering their first steps into the country, this session aims to provide a current, practical understanding of what entering or expanding in Ukraine involves. If you are interested in joining, click here to register.

On 3rd December, we will be looking at compliance, investment, and moving money in complex markets. As many BEI members work in places with limited financial infrastructure, unpredictable regulation and restricted access to reliable banking, this session aims to explore how money moves into and out of these markets, and how organisations keep it safe and compliant along the way. Our panel will include representatives from British International Investment, MetricsLed and Crown Agents Bank. The session will be of relevance to BEI members in all sectors working around the globe, and members are encouraged to bring colleagues from their finance and treasury teams. If you are interested in joining, please click here.

There’s more to come before the end of the year. Please keep an eye out for a report on Education, drawing on our activities on the fringes of this year's Education World Forum, which will be published soon. We will also have news to report from the forthcoming Joint Ministerial Council Meetings with leaders from the Overseas Territories, in which I am once again looking forward to coordinating the business engagement session.

I imagine attention will soon turn to the holidays. I hope to see many members at our Christmas Reception, which is taking place on 10th December from 18:30-20:30 at One Birdcage Walk. This will be a joint reception with our sister organisations, The British Foreign Policy Group and The D Group - we hope you can join us. Members can register through our website, here, or otherwise please email events@britishexpertise.org. Space is limited, but we will try our best to accommodate all requests to join.

With best wishes for the weekend,

David Landsman

Executive Chair

British Expertise International

Upcoming BEI Events:

Tuesday 17th November 2026 15:00 – 17:00 GMT: Future Conflict Human Impact Assessment: Evidence from Ukraine to Inform UK Defence Readiness - On 17th November, join BEI's sister organisation, The D Group, as they explore the Future Conflict Human Impact Assessment. This research project is the first-of-its-kind, examining the human consequences of the world’s most modern ongoing war: Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Wednesday 25th November 2026 11:00 – 12:30 GMT: Ukraine Reconstruction: Managing Risk and Delivering Resilience - Join us for a webinar focusing on the security, delivery, political and financing dimensions of working and delivering projects in Ukraine today, offering a realistic, non-alarmist picture of what entering or expanding into Ukraine involves.
Thursday 26th November 2026 12:30 – 14:30 GMT: Business Opportunities in the Overseas Territories: A Discussion with OT Leaders - Join us for a business engagement event and networking lunch with a visiting delegation of leaders from the Overseas Territories (OTs), as we explore economic diversification across the OTs and the opportunities this presents for UK businesses. Please note that this event will take place at Lancaster House, Stable Yard, St James’s, London SW1A 1BB.
Thursday 3rd December 2026 09:30 – 12:00 GMT: Compliance, Investment and Moving Money in Complex Markets - Join us for an in-person panel discussion, bringing together speakers from British International Investment, MetricsLed and Crown Agents Bank to provide an overview of compliance, investment and moving money in complex markets. This session aims to explore two connected questions: how money moves into and out of these markets, and how organisations keep it safe and compliant along the way.
Thursday 10th December 2026 18:30 – 20:30 GMT: British Expertise International 2026 Christmas Reception - Join British Expertise International on 10th December for the 2026 Christmas reception. Members should register through this page. Otherwise, please email events@britishexpertise.org.

Event recordings and resources

Event recordings - BEI member access only

External Events & Resources:

Survey: World Bank-Financed Procurement Supplier Survey - Whether or not your organisation has previously participated in World Bank-financed procurement, your feedback can help the World Bank improve how procurement opportunities are communicated, engage with the market and understand potential barriers to participation. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. This is an open-ended survey, with responses reviewed on a regular basis.
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. 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.
30th November - 4th December 2026: UK-Cameroon Business Roadshow - The British High Commission Yaoundé, in partnership with Cameroon's Ministry of Commerce, is inviting British businesses, investors and professional service providers to engage with a high-level delegation of leading public and private sector decision-makers from Cameroon during a unique investment and business roadshow scheduled across the UK from 30 November to 04 December 2026. To take advantage of this opportunity and explore how you can participate in the Roadshows, please email Alex Murr via am@britishexpertise.org.
11th March 2027: UK Trade and Export Finance Forum - Taking place at the InterContinental London - The O2, the UK Trade and Export Finance Forum brings together finance and business leaders for a full day of keynotes, case studies, panels, workshops and networking, covering the latest developments in export and trade finance.
6th - 8th April 2027: Innovation Africa 2027 in Harare, Zimbabwe: Innovation Africa 2027 is a Ministerial summit for Education, Skills and ICT Innovation which connects Africa's leaders with global technology partners. BEI members interested in joining can view partnership and participation options at this link: Innovation Africa Participation Options.