BEI Weekly Update - 27th February 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

With the Global Partnerships Conference coming up in May, we are working to coordinate views on how BEI members and their expertise across the piece - from governance to climate, education, health, GESI and beyond - can play a role in the discussions. More on that soon. But I’ve been struck by the positivity and creativity with which the sector is dealing with rapid if not existential change.  With innovative approaches to funding and collaboration between governments, multilaterals, foundations and - crucially - local partners, there will be a sustainable future for development. That surely deserves to be showcased in May.

This week I was delighted to have the opportunity to chair a session with the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) on their recent review on UK aid for energy transition. We were joined by Harold Freeman Commissioner at ICAI who led this review, as well as Nicholas Coleman, Principal: Economic Growth and Infrastructure at Tetra Tech and Sofie Pultz, Researcher in the International Policy Programme at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The session discussed the findings of the review and the Government’s response, with both strategic and tactical thoughts on how the UK can achieve greater coherence between development and climate change goals in an area which will continue to receive a significant proportion of development funding.

On Tuesday next week, we look forward to another session on development exploring the ethical uses of AI in the sector. As the first in a series of 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 sector, how AI can accelerate sustainable development, the challenges and opportunities for AI integration in emerging and developing countries, alongside corresponding case studies. This session is fully booked, but we’ll have news of the next of the series soon.

In our climate programme we will turn our attention to India on 12 March, 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.  We are working with DBT on some more updates on opportunities flowing from the UK-India FTA; dates to follow soon.

We have a number of country-focused sessions coming soon, including a “Meet the FCDO Development Director” focusing on Nigeria, a webinar touching on Mongolia as COP17 host and a Market Opportunity Overview on the Republic of Korea. A new addition to the programme is a session on 18 March with the Minister of Highways and Roads from Ghana which will explore opportunities for infrastructure members. We look forward to an in-person roundtable with the Thailand with the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand which will provide a market opportunity update; this will also take place on 18 March.

For our education and skills members, we will host a webinar on Skills for the Future which will focus on digital and green skills programmes, with a particular focus on job pathways in the Middle East and Africa. The webinar will explore how we bridge the gap between education institutions and the job market. In April, we will be hosting a conversation with the Africa EdTech Exchange (AEE) on opportunities for Partnership and Innovation. This will be an opportunity to meet the team behind the AEE following its launch at BETT UK, and to connect with African EdTech companies driving innovation and reform across the continent.

I hope you will find something in our diverse upcoming programme which is of relevance to your work. If there’s something else you’d like to see, please let us know. In the meantime, warm wishes for a restful (and drier?) weekend,

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:

• 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 upcoming webinar will discuss investment trends in urban water‑supply infrastructure, key priorities around reducing Non‑Revenue Water, and emerging opportunities for UK companies.
• 12th March 2026 14:00 – 15:00 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.
• 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.
• 18th March 2026 11:00 – 13:00 GMT: Market Opportunity Update: Thailand - Join us for a roundtable with the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand exploring opportunities for UK organisations in the region. The session will provide an update of the political and economic context on the ground, alongside sectoral focuses on infrastructure, education and skills, and climate change.
• 18th March 2026  14:00 – 16:30 GMT: Roundtable with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ghana - Join us for a dialogue with a delegation from the Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana. This roundtable event will provide the Ministry with the opportunity to engage with UK companies with an interest in Ghana, as well as providing a platform for UK organisations to gain market insights and demonstrate their expertise.
• 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: Skills for the Future - This session will provide a platform for learning and collaboration between partners and organisations providing skills programmes. Decisions made today about education, workforce readiness, and social development will determine the level of resilience to future challenges, especially related to increasingly harsh climate conditions. As such, this session will focus on digital skills, green skills, and the inclusion of marginalised groups.
• Date and Time TBC: In conversation with Africa EdTech Exchange (AEE): Opportunities for Partnership and Innovation - This webinar is an opportunity to meet the team behind the Africa EdTech Exchange (AEE) following its launch at Bett UK, and to connect with African EdTech companies driving innovation and reform in Education across the continent and beyond.
• 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:

• 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.  
• 6th March 2026 09:30 – 12:00: UK–Philippines Infrastructure Opportunities Briefing - Taking place at the PwC Office, 7 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2RT, this briefing is convened under the UK Centre of Expertise for Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy, which mobilises UK capability and innovation to support sustainable infrastructure delivery in low- and middle-income countries. Through the Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme (GCIEP), the UK Government is working with partner countries to strengthen policy frameworks, unlock investment-ready projects, and improve municipal finance and public services, driving growth, productivity and climate resilience. This briefing is designed to help UK private sector companies: understand where UK expertise is particularly well-matched to Philippine infrastructure priorities; identify concrete entry points for collaboration with government and local partners; and position early for upcoming procurement and project preparation activities. To express interest, please email Pinky.Villegas@fcdo.gov.uk and Tom.Kirkham@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
• 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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