Jul 31, 2026

BEI Weekly Update - 31st July 2026

by

David Landsman

by

Dear Members and Friends,

Whether you’re preparing for a summer break or reading this on your return, like me, you may be reflecting on how much has already happened this year. Internationally, a new regional conflict is affecting us all, while none of the existing conflicts has been resolved. The Global Partnerships Conference highlighted that the “shifts” in UK international development policy are becoming embedded in the system and are having echoes in the approaches taken by other donors and multilaterals. New UK free trade agreements have been signed (GCC) and have come into force (India). At home, we are adjusting to a new Prime Minister (not the default expectation at the beginning of the year): the implications for our areas of interest will doubtless start to emerge in autumn. Meanwhile, our own programme has covered multiple countries and regions, as well as key sectors from water resilience to edtech.

We are working on a full programme for the rest of the year and look forward to seeing members and friends in September (though please feel free to get in touch in the meantime). During the first week of September, we have two events on our website that are open for registration.

Our first event of the new “term” will take place on 2 September from 09:00 to 10:30 BST, which will be a Market Opportunity Overview of the Republic of Korea. We will hear from the Head of Trade and the Country Director in Korea for DBIST, who will explore practical opportunities, challenges, and support available to UK organisations seeking to do business in Korea or to partner with Korean companies on third-country collaboration opportunities, particularly in Ukraine. If you are interested in joining, please click here to register.

On 3 September from 11:00 to 12:30 BST, when we look forward to hosting Anna Wilson, FCDO Development Director in Tanzania. The session will provide updates on the current situation in country and insights into FCDO’s development strategy. If you are interested in joining, click here to register.

In September, we will continue our programme of events that enable members to engage collaboratively with key stakeholders across HMG, the London diplomatic corps, multilateral institutions, and others. Meanwhile, you may want to take a look at a summary of our June session with DfE, FCDO and DBIST on the International Education Strategy. You can read more here.

Our next newsletter will be on 28 August, when we’ll share a preview of what’s to come. In the meantime, the BEI team and I wish you a happy and restful summer break.

David Landsman

Executive Chair

British Expertise International

Event Recordings and Resources:

(Member access only)‍

Upcoming BEI Events:

Wednesday 2nd September 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Republic of Korea - Market Opportunity Overview - Join us online for a market opportunity overview with the British Embassy in Seoul, where we will explore the practical opportunities, challenges and support available to UK organisations who are looking to do business in Korea or partner with Korean companies on third-country collaboration opportunities, particularly in Ukraine.
Thursday 3rd 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.
Date and Time TBC: Working with the Inter-American Development Bank - Join us for a virtual webinar with the Inter-American Development Bank. Our panel of speakers will explore the IDB's work as a principle source of financing, technical expertise and knowledge for sustainable and inclusive development. 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:

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)
11th - 13th November 2026: Africa PPP Summit in Nairobi, Kenya: the 16th Africa PPP Summit is co-convened by Kenya PPP Directorate and supported by the State Department for Public Investment & Asset management, National Treasury, Kenya. This years theme is "Building Africa’s Prosperity: Transformative Infrastructure, Investment and Partnerships to Accelerate Economic Development”. BEI members have an exclusive 10% discount. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexperitse.org for more information.
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.
AI for Social Impact Webcast Series from Accenture - A series of one-hour sessions, open to all organisations in the social impact sector, including non-profits and social enterprises. Each webcast will focus on a key theme within AI, designed to be relevant and applicable to social impact organisations of a variety of sizes, geographies, and current levels of AI proficiency.
City & Guilds: Essential Digital Skills: Employer Perceptions Survey
Why Human Matters: the Leadership 'Rap' Around: Register your interest for this leadership course here, or email hello@tophatdiscovery.com