BEI Weekly Update - 17th July 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

Even if there are some of this week’s goings-on we would rather forget, I’ll gladly remember the launch on Wednesday of the British Foreign Policy Group’s Annual Survey of public opinion. As readers of this newsletter with an interest in the UK’s place in a rapidly changing world, you will, I’m sure, find it full of insightful – if sometimes disturbing – data. If you haven’t already, please take a look. There’s been plenty of media interest: on Wednesday after the launch, I spoke to John Pienaar on the Times Radio Drive Show, which provides a short summary of key insights from the survey. Do listen if you’re interested.

This week, we held a Market Opportunity Overview on the Philippines. The session provided a macroeconomic overview and a deep dive into the infrastructure, technology and energy sectors. We were pleased to be joined by colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade in Manila: Iain Frenkiel, Counsellor, Market Access; Teresa Carag, Senior Trade Manager for Infrastructure; Jon Perez, Trade Manager for Technology; and David Rosario, Trade Manager for Clean Growth.

Next week, we look forward to a webinar on Wednesday 22 July 2026 from 09:00-10:30 BST covering procurement for the Asian Development Bank. Organised in partnership with the British Embassy in Manila, the “procurement clinic” will explore how UK companies can best access and compete for ADB-financed opportunities across Asia. This webinar will also serve as a prelude to the ADB Business Opportunities Fair (BOF) in September.  It’s a priority for the UK Government to see more British companies working with ADB and we’re very pleased to be able to support this effort. If you are interested in joining, register here.

Coming up, we also have a webinar on 4 August in collaboration with British Water and DBT colleagues in Jordan. The session will be hosted by Jordan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation, H.E. Raed Abu Soud, and HM Ambassador to Jordan, Philip Hall. You will be able to hear about priority projects and forthcoming opportunities for private-sector engagement in Jordan. If you’re interested in joining, please register here.

While there will be fewer events in the coming weeks, I do hope you will get in touch if we can help.

With warm wishes for a slightly cooler weekend,

David Landsman

Executive Chair  

British Expertise International

Event Recordings and Resources:

(Member access only)‍

• Philippines - Market Opportunity Overview
• FCDO Development Director Series: Ukraine
• DFAT: Tender Requirements and Bid Writing
• Inclusivity in Early Warning Systems
• Water Risk & Finance: Bridging the Gap
• Rwanda Market Opportunity Overview
• Procurement Opportunities with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia
• Strengthening Equitable and Inclusive Health

Upcoming BEI Events:

• Wednesday 22nd July 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Asian Development Bank Procurement Clinic -  Join us for an online procurement workshop with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organised in partnership with the British Embassy in Manila, where we will explore how UK companies can best access and compete for ADB-financed opportunities across Asia.
• Wednesday 2nd September 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Republic of Korea - Market Opportunity Overview - Join us online for a market opportunity overview with the British Embassy in Seoul, where we will explore the practical opportunities, challenges and support available to UK organisations who are looking to do business in Korea or partner with Korean companies on third-country collaboration opportunities, particularly in Ukraine.
• Thursday 3rd 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.
• Date and Time TBC: Working with the Inter-American Development Bank - Join us for a virtual webinar with the Inter-American Development Bank. Our panel of speakers will explore the IDB's work as a principle source of financing, technical expertise and knowledge for sustainable and inclusive development. The IDB will share an update on its strategy, alongside information about how it works with suppliers and guidance on navigating its procurement process.

Register for an upcoming event →

External Events and Resources:

• July 2026: Middle East Association - UK Roadshow - The MEA UK Roadshow is a dynamic multi-city business series connecting UK companies with one of the world's fastest-growing and most opportunity-rich regions. Each event brings together senior business leaders, investors, Government representatives, professional services firms, and regional experts for a focused programme covering trade, investment, market entry, and commercial growth across the Gulf and wider Middle East. BEI members are able to use a discount code and secure tickets for £50. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexpertise.org to receive the discount code.
• 23rd July - Save the Date: Jordan-UK Business Forum: This forum will take place under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and will bring together Jordan and British companies across a range of sectors. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexpertise.org to enquire about joining.
• 28th - 30th July: UK- Indonesia Rail Forum 2026 Building on the momentum from the UK-Indonesia Rail Roundtable in London (February 2026), the UK- Indonesia Rail Forum 2026 will bring together senior stakeholders from government and industry to translate dialogue into practical collaboration. The Rail Forum will take place in Jakarta between 28th - 30th July. Please email Joel Morro, Government Partnerships Project Lead, DBT London at Joel.Morro@businessandtrade.gov.uk and  Efrizal Saputra, Head of Infrastructure, DBT Jakarta at Efrizal.Saputra@fcdo.gov.uk.
• 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)
• 11th - 13th November 2026: Africa PPP Summit in Nairobi, Kenya: the 16th Africa PPP Summit is co-convened by Kenya PPP Directorate and supported by the State Department for Public Investment & Asset management, National Treasury, Kenya. This years theme is "Building Africa’s Prosperity: Transformative Infrastructure, Investment and Partnerships to Accelerate Economic Development”. BEI members have an exclusive 10% discount. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexperitse.org for more information.
• 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.
• AI for Social Impact Webcast Series from Accenture - A series of one-hour sessions, open to all organisations in the social impact sector, including non-profits and social enterprises. Each webcast will focus on a key theme within AI, designed to be relevant and applicable to social impact organisations of a variety of sizes, geographies, and current levels of AI proficiency.
• City & Guilds: Essential Digital Skills: Employer Perceptions Survey
• Why Human Matters: the Leadership 'Rap' Around: Register your interest for this leadership course here, or email hello@tophatdiscovery.com

News & Articles:

• Report: Overseas Territories Trade and Investment Study Visit - British Expertise International and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Paper: Water Risk and Finance: Bridging the Gap - British Expertise International and the Water Resilience Working Group
• Article: London Stansted Airport: Manchester Airports Group's (MAG) Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue - British Expertise International
• Press Release: Minister of Investment of Jordan, H.E. Tareq Abughazaleh and UK industry leaders meet for talks on trade and investment opportunities - British Expertise International
• Article: North London Heat and Power Project: WSP – EcoPark Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue - British Expertise International
• News: Beyond the deal: How the GCC-UK trade deal opens new era of economic partnership - Arab News
• Press Release: UK Government and industry partners host senior Omani delegation for talks on private‑sector investment partnerships ahead of the UK-GCC FTA announcement
• Article: Blue-Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas: UKCEH Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: Innovative Solutions to Water Challenges: HR Wallingford's Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: Ocean Economy Satellite Accounts: Water Research Centre’s (WRc) Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: Delivering a Better World: AECOM's Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Press Release: British Expertise International (BEI) to receive board seat and support secretariat for Infrastructure Exports UK (IE:UK) by British Expertise International
• Showcase: Gender Equity in Action – Building a Fairer Future by British Expertise International and its members
• Article: Integrated Masterplanning: Arup’s Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade and Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Press Release: BEI and FCDO Co-Convene Trade and Investment Study Visit with a Ministerial Delegation from the Overseas Territories (OT’s) by British Expertise International
• Article: Leading with Science®: Tetra Tech’s Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: British Expertise International (BEI) hosts a ministerial delegation from the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MoRH), Ghana by British Expertise International
• Article: Middle East High-Risk Insurance by Bellwood Prestbury
• News: John Pelton MBE Joins British Expertise International (BEI) as Senior Adviser by British Expertise International
• 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

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