BEI Weekly Update - 20th February 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

I had a few minutes this week with the Future Leaders Group to talk about how businesses today need to engage with geopolitical risk. In short: geopolitics matters now, even if your business isn’t international; and political risk isn’t just for developing and emerging markets – today some of the biggest risks come from developed economies. The interface between domestic and foreign policy is now central to understanding much of political risk: senior officials talk of public opinion as a “leading indicator of foreign policy”. If you don’t believe it, ask people about the biggest international threat facing us and you’ll hear a range of answers from Russia and climate change to illegal migration and beyond.    

What’s an executive supposed to do in an ever more complex world? You don’t have to become a full-time geopolitical analyst: but even though a CEO doesn’t need to be able to build the company’s balance sheet, they do need to be able to read it and understand what the CFO is saying about the health of the business. The same goes for geopolitics: a sense of geography (and history, which we in so-called “advanced” economies often underestimate) and an ability to detect the trends amid the noise are essential. Expert advisers, like qualified accountants, play an essential role (I would say that, wouldn’t I?), but everyone needs to acquire the ability to read the map as well as the balance sheet. That brief discussion represents of course less than 1% of what the Future Leaders Group does in a session. For those interested, for themselves or for colleagues, now’s the time to look at the next programme: more detail at the end of this newsletter.  

Here in Birdcage Walk and despite the half-term break, we reconvened on Thursday our Water Resilience Working Group, drawing together insights from the various water-related discussions we’ve hosted over the past few days.    

Next week on Thursday 26 February we look forward to the latest in our series of events with the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), this time exploring ICAI’s review of UK Aid for energy transition. Harold Freeman, lead commissioner for this report at ICAI, together with speakers from Tetra Tech and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), will discuss the report, the Government’s response and how UK aid can be used most effectively in this area. To register, click here.  

We also have a number of geography-focused events planned for the coming weeks, including sessions on both development and trade. Our next Meet the (FCDO) Development Director virtual event will be with Cynthia Rowe, Development Director in Nigeria, who will review latest developments and share insights into FCDO’s development strategy. To register, click here.

On 12th March, we turn our attention to India, with another virtual event on the water sector. The session will highlight the recent UK-India Free Trade Agreement and its implications for ease of doing business, government-funded programmes, and opportunities in the Indian water supply sector, as well as case studies from private-sector operators in the region. More on opportunities flowing from the UK-India FTA coming soon.

As 2026 is the year of the “triple COP” – with COPs taking place that cover all three protocols of the Rio Conventions: climate change, biodiversity and desertification – on 17 March we will focus on UNCCD COP17 and global efforts to combat desertification. During our session, speakers will explore urban and rural synergies for water resilience in Mongolia. This platform will showcase current Mongolian efforts and include insights from UK experts on transferable tools and innovations.

Finally, our Market Opportunity Overview on the Republic of Korea will highlight new opportunities, outline available support for the UK private sector, and provide a platform for discussions of success, challenges, and market access issues. Equally importantly, Speakers from the British Embassy in Seoul will offer a high-level overview of the UK-Korea MoU on collaboration with third country markets, with particular reference to Ukraine reconstruction. From our previous meetings with representatives of Korean infrastructure companies it’s been clear that there is a real appetite to work with the UK in third countries, bringing together the complementary competences of leading companies from the UK and Korea. This is an area where I believe there are particular opportunities to support members in the coming period.

Education and skills members may be interested in the UK-Cambodia Skills and TVET Forum 2026, which will bring together leaders from government, industry and education to discuss how UK expertise can help drive high-quality, accessible and future-ready training in the region. This takes place from 10-11 March in Phnom Penh: more information can be found here. The RSVP deadline has been extended to 24th February; you can RSVP by emailing commercial.phnompenh@fcdo.gov.uk.

Finally, back to the future – or at least to the Future Leaders Group (FLG). If you would like to know more about how FLG could help you with your talent development, or if you have high-potential candidates who might be suitable for the next programme which starts in September, you can find out more at the FLG reception on Tuesday 3 March (6.30-8.30pm) at Bayes Business School, 33 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1AG. It's an ideal opportunity to meet faculty members, alumni and current participants who, this year, come from a wide range of organisations including the Home Office, CBRE, ARC Ratings, Northrop Grumman, Serco, Eversholt Rail and Ploughshare. Please register for the reception here. You can also find more about the programme on the FLG website or LinkedIn page. Please get in touch with Olivier Beroud, FLG Programme Director, at olivier@futureleadersgroup.uk if you would like to book a call to find out more.

Whether you’ve had a break this week or not, best wishes for a restful weekend ahead,

David Landsman

Executive Chair  

British Expertise International

Event Recordings and Resources:

(Member access only)‍

• 12th February 2026 - Reducing Risk & Unlocking Funding for Water Resilience
• 27th January 2026 - Unlocking Free Trade Agreements and CPTPP in Practice
• 22nd January 2026 - COP30 Insights
• 10th December 2025 - Integrating Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into Education Systems
• 2nd December 2025 - Working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• 4th November 2025 - India - Water Resilience
• 23rd October 2025 - Trade and Investment Opportunities in the British Overseas Territories
• 18th September 2025 - Infrastructure Opportunities in South Africa
• 16th September 2025 - Meet UKEF: Asia and the Middle-East

Upcoming BEI Events:

• 26th February 2026 13:30 – 15:30 GMT: ICAI Review: UK Aid for Energy Transition - A new review from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) assesses the effectiveness of the UK’s support for clean energy transition in low- and middle-income countries. Join Harold Freeman, lead commissioner at ICAI for this review, and other panellists to discuss the findings of the report, the government’s response and how UK aid can be used most effectively to meet this global challenge.
• 3rd March 2026 10:00 – 12:00 GMT: Ethical AI in International Development - As the first in a series of upcoming events, this in-person panel will provide a timely opportunity to explore the role of AI in international development. Speakers will highlight frameworks for the ethical use of AI across the international development sector, how AI can accelerate sustainable development, the challenges and opportunities for AI integration in emerging and developing countries, alongside corresponding case studies.
• ‍10th March 2026 14:00 – 15:00 GMT: FCDO Development Director Series: Nigeria - Join us as we host Cynthia Rowe, Development Director in Nigeria for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Nigeria.‍
• 12th March 2026 10:30 – 12:00 GMT: Transforming India’s Water Sector: Non-Revenue Water Trends & Growth Opportunities - In collaboration with the UK Department for Business and Trade and the British High Commission in India, this webinar will explore trends and growth opportunities in India's water sector. The session will highlight the recent UK-India Free Trade Agreement and its implications for ease of doing business, alongside the government-funded programmes and opportunities in the India water supply sector. Private sector operators in India will also share perspectives on non-revenue water management.‍
• 17th March 2026 09:00 – 10:30 GMT: Towards COP17: Urban and Rural Synergies for Water Resilience in Mongolia - As COP17 draws global attention to climate resilience, this platform will showcase current Mongolian efforts and discuss transferable tools and innovations with UK water experts. This virtual panel will convene policymakers, researchers and practitioners to explore Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) strategies that can reinforce water security and drive sustainable development across both urban and rural settings in the Tuul River Basin.‍
• 12th May 2025 09:30 – 11:00 BST: Market Opportunity Overview - Republic of Korea - Join us for a virtual Market Opportunity Overview on the Republic of Korea to explore opportunities for UK organisations looking to work in the region. This session will highlight available support for UK private sector delivery partners and offer a platform for discussions of success, challenges and market access barriers.‍
• Date and Time TBC: Strengthening Equitable and Inclusive Health - This in-person panel event will explore best practice for strengthening global health systems. With a focus on equitable and inclusive health, the session will highlight gender and disability inclusion, with a deep dive on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SHRH) programming within international development programming.‍
• Date and Time TBC: Working with the Inter-American Development Bank - Preceding the Inter-American Development Bank's (IDB) visit to the UK in early June, join us for this virtual session exploring the IDB's work as a principle source of financing, technical expertise and knowledge for sustainable and inclusive development. Our panel of speakers from 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:

• 24th February 2026 13:00 – 14:30 GMT: World Bank Group Transport Procurement Opportunities - This session aims to help industry suppliers tap into new MDB-financed opportunities in the transport sector and will also cover opportunities in the context of the Global Gateway initiative.  Speakers will include representatives of a number of international organisations including the World Bank Group (WBG), European Commission, European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Please register here.
• 24th February 2026 15:00 – 16:00 GMT: World Bank Group London Speaker Series: “Reboot Development” - This session will provide insights into the WBG Guarantee Platform, its role in fostering investment and its impact on development projects. Click here to register to join in person, or you can join via Teams with the passcode VS3ox9by.‍
• 3rd March 2026 18:30 – 20:30 GMT: Future Leaders Group Reception at Bayes Business School. A ideal opportunity to meet faculty members, alumni and current participants who, this year, come from organisations such as the Home Office, CBRE, ARC Ratings, Northrop Grumman, Serco, Eversholt Rail, Ploughshare. The venue is Bayes Business School, 33 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1AG. You can register HERE. For more information about the Future Leaders Group, see their website and LinkedIn page.‍
• 5th March 2026 14:00 – 15:30 GMT - Women Working in Development: Safeguarding in times of turbulence - Building on the launch of BDO’s partnership with The Safeguarding Alliance, this event is aimed at women and men in the international development sector seeking to exchange ideas and experiences. This panel, composed of esteemed experts, brings a diverse range of perspectives on where the priorities lie and where impact can be maximised across the programme lifecycle, from prevention to response.‍
• March 5th 2026 10:00 – 13:00 at Armenia Marriott Hotel, Ararat Ballroom: Financing UK-Armenia Trade: UK Export Finance (UKEF) opportunities. This session will explore UK–Armenia trade partnerships, strengthen the UK’s commercial presence in Armenia, and highlight UKEF as a key enabler of sustainable, bankable projects in the market. This event will be particularly relevant to BEI's infrastructure and energy members. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexpertise.org if you are interested in joining.  ‍
• 10th - 11th March 2026: UK–Cambodia Skills & TVET Forum 2026 - Join leaders from government, development partners, industry, and training institutions will convene for a high‑impact event. The forum will highlight our shared ambitions to improve the quality, relevance, and accessibility of skills training, drawing on UK expertise and experience. Please register your participation by 24 February 2026 at commercial.phnompenh@fcdo.gov.uk.‍
• 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.
• City & Guilds: Essential Digital Skills: Employer Perceptions Survey

News & Articles:

• 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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