BEI Weekly Update - 17th October 2025

Dear Members and Friends,

Today’s newsletter starts with a (doubtless unexpected) question: what do Warfarin, Sildenafil and Nitrous Oxide have in common?  This is intended exclusively for those BEI members and partners involved in healthcare projects or other medicine-related activities. The answer is that all three drugs were first used to treat one condition but, as time changed, became regarded as the “go to” solution for entirely different problems (check them out if you wish…).

The pharmaceutical world has long been known for its inventiveness which can perhaps serve as a model for the rest of us in rapidly changing times. This need is at top of mind as we continue our series of “Intersections” events next month with a focus on national security: interventions originally conceived in the international development but with other positive “side effects” context may become in demand as a means of addressing national security challenges which have risen up the agenda as a results of the increasing threats we all face.  

In the same vein, our discussion earlier this week with Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure of South Africa, highlighted how climate-related finance can be applied to a wide range of what we would traditionally have simply called infrastructure projects. Alongside Minister Macpherson, we were joined by Ms Nombulelo Nyathela, Chief Director for External Relations and Communication at Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), the body responsible for national strategy, planning and delivery, which acts as the single point of entry for investment in infrastructure. Building on a number of recent engagements with DBT and Infrastructure South Africa, the event demonstrated the considerable progress made by Infrastructure South Africa in strengthening its systems and making the infrastructure programme more transparent and open to international participation.  The discussion accordingly offered valuable insights into South Africa’s infrastructure landscape and a chance to connect with key stakeholders.  

We will indeed be focusing on water resilience next week in a joint event with the D Group. The opportunities which come from leaving our silos and established ways of defining requirements and “what success looks like” surely represent the way ahead for many in BEI’s sectors. The event will be run in association with the Global Summit Series here at Birdcage Walk on 22 October from 14:00 – 16:30. We will be hosting key stakeholders in the water sector, exploring strategies and insights needed to tackle water-related challenges. We look forward to hearing from: Simon Ayley, Director of Strategic Growth Partnerships at WRc; Andy Roby, Senior Water Security Adviser at FCDO; Charlie Stratford, Head of Business and Partnership Development at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; and Jonathan Clark, Associate Director of Data Centres & Advanced Technology at Gleeds. If you are interested in joining, please register here.  

Still on the subject of water resilience, we hosted two workshops for FCDO climate and environment advisers based all around the world, with BEI members sharing insights from our recent report on water resilience. The sessions showcased how UK expertise in standards, science, infrastructure, finance and humanitarian partnerships can support global climate adaptation and development goals. Speakers discussed the climate imperatives of water resilience, highlighted UK capabilities in nature-based solutions and digital technologies and also covered financial models and WASH systems that strengthen community resilience. Advisers took away practical insights for embedding water resilience into climate diplomacy, development programming and international partnerships. We look forward to continuing our engagement with FCDO and are currently discussing the scope for more similar knowledge sharing activities.

On Thursday next week, Trade and Investment Opportunities in the British Overseas Territories (14:00 – 15:30 BST), will be a valuable opportunity to explore the growing business potential across the British Overseas Territories (OTs), focusing on key industries including infrastructure, professional services, and more. We will hear from our colleagues at the FCDO, and from government officials across the British OTs. If you are interested in joining, register here.

I should also mention that our Tajikistan – Education Deep Dive webinar that was also due to take place next Thursday on 23rd October has had to be postponed following changes in the Tajik Ministry, but we will hope soon to be able to reschedule the event. Stay tuned for the new date.

On a rather different note, we hear all too regularly about terrorism, but probably most of the time think of it as something that affects others a long way away. But, wherever you work in the world, being prepared for the unexpected is key to resilience, even if you don’t think you’re a likely target. In this light, I wanted to highlight an event on Wednesday next organised by our sister organisation The D Group but also open to BEI members, where we will be joined by Neil Basu QPM, who will be speaking at a roundtable on counterterrorism and how to protect companies. He is a former Assistant Commissioner of the Met Police with extensive experience in counterterrorism, so the session should be relevant both at a national/strategic level, as well as for colleagues with responsibility for operational resilience. It should be a very valuable discussion and of use for those in leadership positions within BEI’s membership. If you’d like to join, there are more details on the D Group website, here, and please email Daniel Bregman via Daniel@thedgroup.co.uk.

Finally, following our recent exploration of the changing landscape of the higher education sector during a panel event with Advance HE, British Council, and SUMS Consulting, we have published a piece sharing insights from the event and exploring how UK higher education institutions can remain resilient in the complex international environment we are faced with. You can read the piece, here. This is one of the many thought pieces that we will be sharing – stay tuned for more like this.  

I hope to see you at Birdcage Walk soon. In the meantime, warm wishes for the weekend,

David Landsman

Executive Chairman

British Expertise International 

‍Key events coming up include the following:

• 22nd October 2025 14:00 – 16:30 BST: Turning Water Risk into Resilience - By bringing together key stakeholders who operate outside the regulated water sector yet face equally pressing water risks, this event, delivered in partnership with the Global Summit series, aims to provide UK organisations with the strategies and insights needed to safeguard their operations and adapt to future water-related challenges.‍
• 23rd October 2025 14:00 – 15:00 BST: Trade and Investment Opportunities in the British Overseas Territories - This webinar is a valuable opportunity to explore the growing business potential across the British Overseas Territories (OTs). Discover what makes these jurisdictions unique and learn about exciting opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, professional services, and more. Whether you're looking to expand, invest, or collaborate, this session will offer key insights into dynamic markets across the OTs.‍
• 4th November 2025 10:00 – 11:30 GMT: India - Water Resilience - India is facing growing pressure on its water systems due to a combination of climate change, rapid urbanisation. Extreme weather events such as floods and heatwaves are becoming more frequent, while challenges like pollution and ageing infrastructure are making water resilience a national priority. This presents a significant opportunity for UK companies with expertise in water management, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.‍
• 13th November 2025 09:30 – 12:30 GMT: SIL Skills Workshop: Repositioning the UK's Skills Offering - Join us on 13th November 2025 from 09:30 – 12:30 for a joint BEI and D Group Skills Workshop to explore what individual providers can do to achieve significant change in their target markets, in the face of challenges common to all geographies. The session will focus on practical steps and actions which improve the skills outcomes for workforces nationally and internationally.‍
• 19th November 2025 09:30 – 12:30 GMT: Intersections of International Development and National Security - Given the growing national security priorities of the UK Government and the recent cuts to the aid budget, this event will offer a timely and engaging platform to explore the intersection between international development and national security. It also presents a valuable opportunity to discuss how development actors can align their programmes more closely with the UK’s strategic interests.‍
• 20th November 2025 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.‍
• 27th November 2025 15:00 – 16:00 GMT: 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.‍
• Date TBA: Education Deep Dive: Tajikistan -  Join us for a webinar deep dive into education opportunities in Tajikistan led by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan. Colleagues will provide us with an overview and insights into the key education sector opportunities available for British businesses, advice on cultural understanding, and tips for navigating the Tajik market.‍
• Date TBA: Infrastructure Opportunities in Nigeria - This webinar offers a focused deep dive into Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape with a focus on several specific projects well suited for the UK supply chain.

External Events and Reports:

• 20th October 2025 - Perpetrator-Centred Prevention - Join the Safeguarding Leads Network, with speakers Sarah Maquire and Elizabeth Wright on Perpetrator-Centred Prevention. The session will explore the hidden risks organisations face in inadvertently recruiting perpetrators, how workplace culture can either deter or enable misconduct, and practical steps to prevent Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH). This session is designed for Heads of Business Units (HoBs), senior leadership, and heads of HR, Ethics, Compliance and Legal. To register your interest in the session, please email sln@britishexpertise.org. ‍
• 20th October 2025 - Powering Mongolia's Future: Energy Reform & Investment Dialogue - This event, organised by the British Embassy in Mongolia and hosted by EY, will serve as a timely ground for dialogue among senior representative from government, international financial institutions, and the private sector. Register here. ‍
• 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.‍
• 10th – 13th November 2025: UK Renewable Energy Outward Trade Mission to Indonesia - With Indonesia moving away from coal-fired power and investing in a diverse range of clean energy sources, this mission offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with key Indonesian stakeholders, including government ministries, PLN (the state electricity company), and leading energy firms. The programme includes high-level briefings, meetings with decision-makers, and networking events to explore partnership, technology transfer, and investment opportunities. For more details, please see details in this brochure and email  Andria Yusuf Arifanto (Andria.Yusuf@fcdo.gov.uk), Senior Trade Advisor (Energy) and mission lead.

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