Dear Members and Friends,
With the Budget just a few weeks away, it’s no surprise that a domestic focus is increasingly dominating the news agenda. Whatever the decisions – and the politics – there’s no escaping the fact that public funds will remain under huge pressure as far out into the future as we can see. It’s unsurprising that the international and the long-term can easily be drowned out by the immediate and domestic.
In the modern “language of priorities” we – here at BEI as well as our members – need to be able to answer the “what’s in it for me” question by explaining the work we do in terms of enhancing growth or national security. At the same time, we need to be more creative in identifying new sources of funding, private as well as public, as well as new framing. And we need a sharpened focus on the growth markets of tomorrow. All of these imperatives can be found in our forthcoming programme.
First, on Tuesday 4 November from 10:00-11:30 GMT, we look forward to a webinar on Water Resilience in India. We will hear from colleagues at the UK Department of Business and Trade in India, alongside Avinash Yadhav Kumar, Founder at Hashtag PerCapita Pvt. Ltd., and Shruti Kapil, Head of Security & Mutual Dependence Desk at the International Centre for Sustainability. As a Fellow of ICfS, I’m looking forward to this collaboration as an excellent opportunity to enhance our focus on India. India is facing growing pressure on its water systems due to a combination of climate change, rapid urbanisation. Extreme weather events 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.
Also, next week on Thursday 6 November from 10:30-12:00 GMT, 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 PPP offering a and build partnerships. If you are interested in participating in this roundtable, please register your interest with Alex Murr via am@britishexpertise.org. For more details about the event, click here.
I’m glad we now have a complete – and impressive – panel for our upcoming “Intersections of International Development and National Security” discussion on 12 November. Do take a look here. This is the first of what I hope will be a series of events bringing together those within our networks working on both the security and development agendas.
Drawing on the UK government's post-16 education and skills white paper, BEI and The D Group will be hosting a joint workshop on "Repositioning the UK's Skills Offering" on 13 November. We aim to bring together members of both organisations with a range of experience and in-depth understanding of the skills landscape, both in the UK and internationally. For more information and to register, please click this link.
Also on 13 November, we will be exploring Infrastructure and Water Sector Opportunities in New Zealand, taking advantage of a visit of a New Zealand delegation including senior representatives from leading infrastructure and water organisations. 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. For more information and to register, click this link.
In case you’ve missed them, we’ve published a number of interesting pieces in the past couple of weeks. First, a note on South Africa infrastructure opportunities following our round table with Minister Dean Macpherson. We also have insights from our panel event earlier this month on Global Energy Landscapes. With the energy sector facing profound transformations, from geopolitical tensions to economic pressures and policy uncertainties, concerns are mounting about the long-term trajectory of the energy landscape.
Finally, our members BDO and the Safeguarding Alliance are hosting a webinar on 12 November 2025 at 14:00 GMT on 'Women Working in Development: Safeguarding in times of turbulence'. This event is aimed at those in the international development sector seeking to exchange ideas and experiences. The panel of 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. More details can be found here.
Autumnal, but always warm, wishes for a good weekend,
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:
- 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 online event is aimed at those 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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