Dear Members and Friends,
It’s been good to see some BEI members in our new premises on Birdcage Walk this week. We’ve been lucky with the weather, which has allowed us to enjoy the benefits of so much natural light flooding into the building, as well as of the impressive views from our windows. As to what we’ve actually been discussing at this week’s events, more below.
It’s human nature always to imagine that we’re living in unique times, but I suppose for almost all our members there’s rarely been so much uncertainty, short- and longer-term both at home and abroad which impacts business calculations. As I mentioned last week, political risk in the developed world as it is farther afield. By my calculations, 2010 is the last year in the central assumptions for UK politics would have been proven right four years hence. Since then, the pace of change – and the turnover of governments and ministers – has been rapid.
As one example, many of our assumptions about UK – and broader Western – policy on international development have been overturned this year. One of our discussions this week focused on this theme with Evie Aspinall, Director of our sister organisation, the British Foreign Policy Group, who shared with some of us this week the results of this year’s Annual Survey of Public Opinion, with a focus on international development, which provides essential (if sometimes depressing) background for policy decisions. More on that below.
Of course, FCDO is not the only department to be affected. DBT too, as it aligns to the new Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy, will inevitably be shifting its attention away from some existing work to new priorities. At BEI, our engagement with HMG colleagues will always remain essential and we of course continue to support as much as we can, but we will also be driven by member interest to work in the geographies and sectors where we can deliver most value. At the same time, we will extend our engagement with sources of finance, public and private, bilateral and multilateral. I’ve found a few conversations this week helpful in identifying priorities of yours we should be acting upon and look forward to hearing more. The one thing of which we can be certain is that for BEI the next twelve months will look quite different from the last, and not only the view from the window.
This week we were delighted to bring together a very expert panel drawn from our membership and an audience of education experts from London-based embassies and BEI members together with guests from the wider higher education sector. We heard from Ian Hall, Head of Partnerships (International) at Advance HE; Joel Arber, Group Chief Executive Officer at SUMS Consulting; and Michael Peak, Head of Education Research and Insight at the British Council. The panel explored how the UK higher education sector can harness its global reputation and institutional strengths to navigate a changing landscape. The discussion was wide ranging – from professional development programmes, the impacts of immigration reform on international students, to delivering much-needed transformation in higher education institutions. More detail to follow soon in a blog with the key insights and takeaways from the event and a look forward to our future work in the sector.
Also, this week, in collaboration with colleagues from DBT and UKEF, we welcomed a delegation of EPC contractors from Latin America and the Caribbean for a roundtable and networking reception. With a focus on water resilience, we were joined by members of our water resilience working group, Doogie Black, CEO at Climate Sense and Andy Brown, Joint CEO at HR Wallingford, who shared insights from our recent Water Resilience report and the experience of the working group more widely. Building water resilience is more than a technical challenge and the UK supply chain is well placed to support EPC contractors with innovative solutions. We hope the dialogue will support collaboration with UK Export Finance, helping to unlock financing and risk mitigation solutions that can enable resilient water infrastructure across Latin America and the Caribbean.
As I mentioned before, our International Development Heads of Business group heard from Evie Aspinall, who provided revealing detailed insights on public opinion on international development, drawing from BFPG’s Annual Survey report. The statistics are stark and far from positive as far as development is concerned, but there are interesting nuances and discrepancies, not least in how support varies by age – this is true across attitudes to foreign policy. A particular challenge is that support for capacity-building and economic development work is markedly lower than that for humanitarian interventions. The solutions are not straightforward: simply trumpeting measurable achievements may not always be the right approach. Preaching to the converted only takes you so far. In a new world, there is a new opportunity to explore innovative approaches. We will continue to work with BFPG in this area, ensuring that our thinking and that of our members inform our engagement with FCDO and other stakeholders. Do let us know if you have any ideas to share.
Also this week from around our (new) building, our colleagues at Future Leaders Group welcomed their eighth cohort to the programme. Participants, as ever, come from a variety of public and private sectors, with a wide range of experience. They enjoyed interactive sessions covering lessons in leadership with Seumas Kerr, leading with strengths with Elizabeth Beroud, Executive Coach, journalling with programme alumna Lucy Ottley, strategic leadership with Stephen Page, Chair of Faber & Faber, and a “leader’s reflections” session with Javier Echave, COO of Heathrow Airport. Please contact Olivier Beroud at olivier@futureleadersgroup.uk if you would like to discuss the contribution FLG could make to your rising starts and your organisation.
Next week we are looking forward to an in-person panel discussion on “Global Energy Landscapes” on Wednesday 1st October from 15:00-17:00. We have organised this event with our sister organisation, The D Group to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of energy in the UK and internationally. Our speakers will provide insights into the future of energy, global investment trends, regulatory shifts, technological developments and industrial transformation. We look forward to welcoming our speakers, including Campbell Keir, President of the Energy Industries Council; Stephen Nash, Managing Director at Kuungana Advisory; and Benjamin Lemaitre, Group Strategy Director at Dalkia UK. If you are interested in joining, please register here.
I’ve mentioned before our intensifying engagement with the development banks. As the World Bank reforms its procurement systems with a view to attracting more high-quality bids, they are hosting a Virtual Global Supplier Webinar on Thursday 9th October to explain how they plan to improve supplier engagement and reduce barriers to participation. If you are potentially interested in World Bank projects, please do join the webinar. I’d be interested to hear your reaction and any further questions, as we are planning to work with the Bank to organise a bespoke webinar for BEI members in the coming period and will be able to influence the agenda and questions on the basis of your feedback.
On behalf of our member Deloitte, are sharing an invitation to complete the UK Sanctions Perceptions Survey. This is an opportunity to have your say on how the UK Government implements sanctions compliance requirements in the future. The input of our members will be invaluable to the Government and will contribute to identifying knowledge gaps, exploring ways to improve industry compliance, and minimising barriers to legitimate business. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and includes a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, allowing you to provide detailed feedback. Please do take the time to complete the survey!
Finally, I fear the good weather will not be continuing for long, but in any case, wish you a restful weekend,
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Key events coming up include the following:
- 1st October 2025 15:00 – 17:30 BST: Global Energy Landscapes - This in-person panel will explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of energy. Our speakers will provide essential insights into the future of energy, offering perspectives on global investment trends, regulatory shifts, technological advancements and industrial transformation.
- 16th October 2025 12:00 – 12:30 BST: 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.
- 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 10:00 – 11:00 BST: 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.
- 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.
- 19th November 2025 09:30 – 12:30 BST: 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.
- Date TBA 11:00 – 12:30 BST: 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:
- 27th September – 2nd October 2025 - Save the date for the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2025, set to take place in Singapore. This landmark event will be the 20th edition of the globally recognized science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programme’s World Finals and the first under its new branding, following the transition from its previous name, F1 in Schools. Developed to introduce students to STEM subjects through the creation of a miniature F1 car, STEM RACING (Formerly F1 in Schools) is an educational project designed for teachers, informed by engineers, and endorsed by F1.
- 28th September – 2nd October 2025 - UK Ports and Maritime Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia. This high-profile mission will visit Jeddah and Dammam Ports and participate in the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress. More information can be found, here.
- 9th October 2025: World Bank’s upcoming Virtual Global Supplier Webinar - Two sessions available to accommodate global time zones | 09:00 - 10:30 AM (DC Time) and 09:00 - 10:30 PM (DC Time) - These high-level sessions will feature speakers from the banks project procurement and infrastructure teams, offering strategic insights into the procurement pipeline for World Bank-financed projects, particularly in the Energy, Transport, and Water sectors, which together account for over 50% of international contracts. We will also present recent enhancements to our procurement framework designed to improve supplier engagement and reduce barriers to participation.
- 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.
- 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.
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