BEI Weekly Update - 18th September 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

This week has been a busy one for us at BEI, and it's been a pleasure to see so many of our members and stakeholders pass through One Birdcage Walk. Behind the scenes, the team has also been working on the next phase of engagement with a FCDO “under new management” and preparing for our programme in Scotland in a few weeks’ time; more on that below. As far as our events are concerned, I am struck by how many are the result of partnerships between BEI and members, UK Government Departments, London-based Embassies, as well as geography and sectoral organisations.   In supporting our members’ activities around the world, it’s great to be able draw on our network in this way.  We’re in the process of exploring some additional partnerships and are always open to new ideas.

On Tuesday, we were delighted to be joined by Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs, H.E. Muhannad Shehadeh, accompanied by the Chairman of the Jordan Securities Commission, Emad Abu Haltam and the Ambassador of Jordan.  As part of our ongoing work with Jordan, we are now gauging interest in a BEI-led trade mission to explore opportunities in the region, most likely in the first quarter of 2027. If you would like to learn more as our plans evolve, please do fill out the EOI form linked here.

On Wednesday evening we had an excellent discussion this week at Accenture London on our recent report Water Risk and Finance: Bridging the Gap. Following the online launch of the paper before the summer break, the panel explored how the financial community can better understand, price and respond to water-related risk, as well as how projects can be best packaged to engage private finance early.  Our thanks to our speakers for sharing their insights: Helen Troup, Associate Director - Sustainability, Accenture; Anne Reaney, Head of Origination, Rebalance Earth; Cate Lamb, Strategic Advisor, Earth Capital Nexus@LSE; Charles Reeve, Principal, Economic Growth and Infrastructure at Tetra Tech International Development; and Meryl Wingfield, Director, Head of I&C Responsible Investing, British International Investment (BII).

Yesterday (Thursday) we had the opportunity once again to support FCDO’s excellent SME Advisory Forum initiative by bringing together members of the Forum and the wider international development SME community. These quarterly sessions enable Advisory Forum members to hear a full range of views from the SME supplier community, BEI members and non-members alike. Do let us have your feedback and please invite your contacts in the SME community to register for the next of these events.

Also on Thursday, we hosted a session with Terence Lyons, CEO of TSC.ai, exploring how AI and other emerging technologies can be used to help those in public affairs and government relations keep ahead of emerging trends and identify stakeholders you might not even know are there…. If you missed the session, we will be happy to put you in touch with Terence and TSC.ai if you’d like to know more.

Looking forward, on Thursday 24 September from 11:00-12:30 BST, we will host our next FCDO Development Director webinar, this time with Anna Wilson Development Director in Tanzania. If you are interested in joining, click here.

In the coming weeks, we have planned several events with Multilateral Development Banks to explore opportunities for UK organisations. First, on Tuesday 29 September from 09:00-10:30 BST, we will host the first of two webinars with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to explore opportunities for public sector projects - click here to register. On 21 October from 09:00-10:30 BST, we will have the second session to look at opportunities with the AIIB for private sector projects. You can register for that session here.  These are our first events with AIIB, and we are delighted to have established the relationship on which we are already planning to build further.

On 20 October we look forward to co-hosting a roadshow with the Inter-American Development Bank. We are teaming up with IDB Invest, part of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, alongside FCDO, UKEF and BIST for a full-day event to unlock growth opportunities across the UK, Latin America and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on energy, infrastructure, critical minerals and the digital economy. The event will provide an opportunity to engage directly with IDB Invest's senior leadership and key stakeholders from the UK, Latin America and the Caribbean. You can find more details on our website here. If you are interested in joining, please email isabelpe@iadb.org.

Finally, a reminder that BEI is off to Scotland in early October, together with our sister organisations D Group and British Foreign Policy Group, for two days of events reflecting the diverse but often interconnected interests of our respective members and stakeholders from Scotland and around the UK.

Whether you’re based North of the Border or just visiting, the team would be very pleased to see you there.At Strathclyde University’s Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow on 6 October in the margins of the IWA World Water Congress, we will host “Resilient Water Systems: Global Perspectives from the UK”, a half-day event with two panel discussions. If you are interested in registering for one or both, click the following links: Panel 1 – 08:30-10:00: From Point to Pipe: Financing Water’s Journey to Bankability, and Panel 2 – 10:30-12:00: Modelling the Margin: UK Water Availability in a Changing Climate.

Next, on 8 October from 09:30-16:15 we will be in Edinburgh as The D Group and BFPG take a look at Scotland’s role in National Security and Resilience from political and geopolitical perspectives, including governance and cooperation, the defence industry and skills, as well as Scotland’s contribution to the Space sector. If you are interested in registering, click here.

As we all prepare for busy week (and more) ahead, my best wishes for a restful weekend,

David Landsman

Executive Chair  

British Expertise International

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External Events & Resources:

• Thursday 24th 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.
• Tuesday 29th September 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Business Opportunities Webinars for Public Sector Projects - Join us for an online session with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) exploring business opportunities for public sector projects.
• Tuesday 29th September 2026 14:00 – 16:00 BST: Troubled Waters: The Strait of Hormuz in Focus - Join us for a panel discussion on the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, looking at the wider regional security picture and the implications for Yemen, maritime security, and Gulf dynamics.
• Tuesday 6th October 2026 08:30 – 10:00 BST: From Point to Pipe: Financing Water's Journey to Bankability - Join us in Glasgow as we host “Resilient Water Systems: Global Perspectives from the UK”, a half-day event with two panel discussions in the margins of the IWA World Water Congress. This panel is the first of the two and will explore what it takes to make water systems investable.
• Tuesday 6th October 2026 10:30 – 12:00 BST: Modelling the Margin: UK Water Availability in a Changing Climate - Join us in Glasgow as we host “Resilient Water Systems: Global Perspectives from the UK”, a half-day event with two panel discussions on the margins of the IWA World Water Congress. This panel is the second of the two and will explore what it takes to make water systems resilient amid the pressures climate change is placing on critical services.
• Wednesday 7th October 2026 14:00 – 17:00 BST: The Power of Social and Emotional Learning: What happens when we get Early Years Education right? - Join us for an in-depth panel discussion focused on embedding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in early years education and the wider societal impact this has.
• Thursday 8th October 2026 09:30 – 16:15 BST: Scotland’s role in National Security and Resilience - Join us in Edinburgh as we explore Scotland’s role in National Security and Resilience from political and geopolitical perspectives, covering governance and cooperation, the defence industry and skills, as well as Scotland’s contribution to the Space sector.
• Thursday 8th October 2026 15:30 – 17:00 BST: Dominican Republic - Market Opportunity Overview - Join us for an online market overview focusing on the Dominican Republic, where our speakers will explore the trade and investment opportunity pipeline, support available to UK organisations and practical guidance on doing business in this growing Caribbean market.
• Monday 12th October 2026 15:30 – 17:00 BST: Resilience, Rights, and Reconstruction in Ukraine - BEI are delighted to host Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties, for an event held in collaboration with Insulate Ukraine that examines resilience and reconstruction efforts across the country.
• Tuesday 13th October 2026 14:00 – 15:00 BST: Azerbaijan - Education Deep Dive - Join us for a webinar deep dive into education opportunities in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom.
• Tuesday 20th October 2026 08:00 – 18:00 BST: IDB Roadshow: From the UK to Latin America and the Caribbean: Unlocking Growth Opportunities with IDB Invest - Join IDB Invest, part of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, for a full-day roadshow event to unlock growth opportunities across the UK, Latin America and the Caribbean. The event will provide an opportunity to engage directly with the senior leadership of IDB Invest and key stakeholders from the United Kingdom and Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Wednesday 21st October 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Business Opportunities Webinars for Private Sector Projects - Join us for an online session with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) exploring business opportunities for private sector projects.

Event recordings and resources

Event recordings - BEI member access only

• Republic of Korea - Market Opportunity Overview
• Asian Development Bank Procurement Clinic
• Philippines - Market Opportunity Overview
• FCDO Development Director Series: Ukraine
• DFAT: Tender Requirements and Bid Writing

External Events & Resources:

• 14th September 2026: Have your say! Consultation launched for Indonesia, Philippines, UAE & Uruguay - BIST has launched a consultation on deepening the UK’s trade relationships with Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. This consultation will inform the next phase of the United Kingdom’s trade relationships as we determine how best to engage with these countries through CPTPP accession discussions or other trade policy mechanisms, including bilateral free trade agreements where applicable and relevant. You can read the Information Notes and submit your views and evidence here.
• 16th September 2026 13:00 - 17:00 (Roundtable) 17:00 - 19:00 (Reception) BST: From Complexity to Confidence: Helping NGOs Build Financial Resilience - Join fellow finance leaders for an afternoon of keynote presentations, practical discussion and peer networking as we explore how organisations can build financial resilience while navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.
• 16th September 2026 16:00 - 20:00 BST: Future of Learning Live 2026 - This Pearson's first flagship global virtual event, bringing together educators, education leaders, employers, innovators and technology experts to explore how we can build the bridge from learning to earning in an AI-powered world. The agenda covers topics including AI readiness, future skills, workforce preparation, AI literacy, and strengthening the connection between education and employment.
• 18th September - 2nd October 2026: D Contemporary and Conflict Textiles Exhibition: The Silent Vocal Language of Textiles - This September, to mark the International Day of Peace, we are working with Conflict Textiles to present The Silent Vocal Language of Textiles. The exhibition brings together historical arpilleras on loan from Ulster University, made by people living through conflict and its aftermath.
• 21st - 24th September 2026 - ADB Business Opportunities Fair 2026 in Metro Manila, Philippines - The Business Opportunities Fair will bring together ADB operational teams and suppliers across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, transport, energy, water, urban development, finance, digital, environment and climate, agribusiness, health, education, public sector management, and consulting services. Please email businessopportunities@adb.org for more information.
• 23rd September 2026 17:00 - 19:00 in Manila, Philippines: UK@BOF 60 & Beyond - This event is hosted by the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) in Manila on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Business Opportunities Fair. This year marks 60 years of partnership between the United Kingdom and the ADB, a longstanding collaboration that has supported sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific. The event will bring together UK Government, ADB colleagues, and industry leaders as well as development partners to build targeted connections, exchange delivery insights, and explore future opportunities.
• 24th September 2026 14:00 - 16:00 BST:  Employment Rights Act: What’s Changed & Are We Ready? - Join the Safeguarding Leads Network for a session on the Employment Rights Act. The coming changes are reshaping workplace protections in the UK, with some of the most significant updates strengthening duties around sexual harassment and whistleblowing.
• 29 September 2026 10:00 - 12:00 BST: How can countries turn strong TIMSS delivery into evidence that supports meaningful education improvement? - Exclusively for senior officials from Ministries of Education and governmental education authorities, Pearson Education Services, in collaboration with University College London (UCL) Institute of Education, is hosting a virtual workshop on 29 September 2026. Participation is limited to officials from Ministries of Education and government education authorities.
• 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)
• 15th October 2026: Ghana Investor Day - Taking place on the margins of AFSIC in London. The event is being organised by the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) in collaboration with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST). Join this event to explore high-growth sectors, meet project sponsors, and unlock pathways to impactful investment deals.
• 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. Packages close early September. Contact: ernest@edtechexchange.africa or 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.

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