BEI Weekly Update - 24th October 2025

Dear Members and Friends,

The essence of BEI is that our members deploy “British expertise” to create solutions to global challenges in collaboration with international partners. We often talk of “physical” and “social” infrastructure as though they are two separate verticals that encompass our work. In practice, sustainable outcomes - from climate resilience to skills development – often have both a physical/technology and social/governance/finance dimension, which our members bring together. The concept of partnership is key: the experience gained from working with partners around the world, drawing on their skills and experience, in turn enriches the expertise of BEI members. Expertise doesn’t just flow in one direction.

To supplement our knowledge base, we are increasingly benefiting from synergies with our sister organisation D Group whose focus is on major UK projects. This collaboration has been at the forefront of our activity this month, first in our Energy Landscapes event in early October and this week in an exceptionally well-attended panel discussion on “From Water Risk to Resilience” which brought together BEI and D Group members, stakeholders from Government and a range of industries, to explore where our members have the data and understanding to unlock solutions to pressing challenges for national and regional authorities, industry and investors.

In this event, we heard compelling insights 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. A shared theme was the case for shared responsibility and increased investment in water security. The session highlighted how water stewardship is becoming central to ESG strategies and sustainable finance. As climate-driven water risks like scarcity, pollution and flooding intensify, businesses and investors are recognising water not just as an environmental issue but as a financial imperative. Proactive water management, through risk mapping, stakeholder engagement and operational improvements, can reduce disruptions, enhance reputational standing and unlock investment opportunities. Integrating water into ESG frameworks and financial planning enables organisations to build resilience, support community water security and deliver long-term value through adaptation.

We will have more to say about the challenges and opportunities to bridge the gap between traditional water sector expertise and the industries that rely on this vital resource in our forthcoming piece, "Why Water is Everyone’s Business: A UK Perspective on Global Water Challenges". Watch this space.

This week we were also delighted to host a webinar on “Trade and Investment Opportunities in the British Overseas Territories”. The session provided a comprehensive overview of economic priorities and investment opportunities across the UK Overseas Territories. FCDO speakers introduced the strategic role of the Overseas Territories in financial services policy, followed by a macroeconomic analysis highlighting regional trends and resilience. Spotlight presentations from Bermuda’s Minister Jache Adams and Anguilla’s Minister Kyle Hodge showcased sectoral priorities, including infrastructure, environment and commerce, alongside incentives for international collaboration. Kei-Retta Farrell added insights from Montserrat’s perspective.

Returning to the topic of water, join us in two weeks’ time for a webinar on Water Resilience in India. 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 pollution and ageing infrastructure are making water resilience an increasing national priority. This presents a significant opportunity for UK companies and organisations with expertise in water management, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure. If you are interested in joining, please register here.

‍Once again joining forces with the D Group, we will be exploring shared skills challenges in a joint workshop on 13 November (09:30-12:00) to explore what providers can do to help drive significant change in the markets in which they operate, given the many challenges common to all geographies. The session will focus on practical steps and actions which improve the skills outcomes for workforces nationally and internationally. More details here.

‍Turning our focus about as far (geographically) as we can go from London, we are looking forward to a session exploring New Zealand's infrastructure and water sector reform on 13th November. Held in partnership with DBT and a visiting delegation from Infrastructure New Zealand, this event will delve into the policy shifts and investment priorities underpinning this transformation as well as the commercial opportunities it creates for UK organisations in sustainable construction, digital solutions, asset management and more. If you are interested in joining, please register here.‍

We have a small number of places for BEI members to join an in-person event being held by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 5th November on winning opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean with the Inter-American Development Bank. If it is of interest to you, please email Amalie Coleman via ac@britishexpeetise.org to express your interest.

Finally, in another example of the value of synergies across our group, our very own think-tank the British Foreign Policy Group recently published a report on Science and Soft Power. The report demonstrates a clear role for science and technology, a long-standing area of UK excellence, as underutilised soft power asset. Many BEI members are part of this success story. If you’re interested in reading the report, please take a look here.

As I write this, the sun is once again shining strongly through the window (which will be my excuse for any typos). Here’s hoping for a good weekend for all,

David Landsman

Executive Chairman

British Expertise International 

‍Key events coming up include the following:

• 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.
• 6th November 2025 10:30 – 12:00 GMT: Roundtable with the Ministry of Planning, Angola - Join us for an in-depth discussion with Ivan Emanuel Marques Dos Santos, Secretary of State for Public Investment of Angola, and senior officials from the Angolan Ministry of Planning. The delegation will present their new PPP mechanism and relevant projects, engaging experienced UK companies to develop their PPP offering and build partnerships.
• 13th November 2025 09:30 – 12:00 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.
• 13th November 2025 10:30 – 13:00 GMT: Infrastructure and Water Opportunities in New Zealand - Join us for a session exploring New Zealand's infrastructure and water sector reform. Held in partnership with DBT and Infrastructure New Zealand, this event will delve into the policy shifts and investment priorities underpinning this transformation as well as the commercial opportunities it creates for UK organisations in sustainable construction, digital solutions, asset management and more.
• 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:

• 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.
• 5th November 2025: Winning Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean with the Inter-American Development Bank - London Chamber of Commerce and Industry - This in-person event will give you a clear understanding of how procurement works at the IDB and how your business can compete effectively for opportunities. You will also hear about the current priorities shaping projects in the region, helping you align your offer with demand. BEI has a small number of places available for members. To express your interest, please email Amalie Coleman via ac@britishexpertise.org.
• 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.
• 12th November 2025 14:00 GMT: Women Working in Development: Safeguarding in times of turbulence - BDO and The Safeguarding Alliance - This event is aimed at women and men in the international development sector seeking to exchange ideas and experiences. The panel, composed of esteemed sector experts, will bring a range of perspectives on where the priorities lie and where we can have the most impact across the programme lifecycle and from prevention to response.

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