BEI Weekly Update - 3rd July 2026

Dear Members and Friends,
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Last week, with our series of events for London Climate Action Week, the focus at BEI was primarily sectoral and thematic.  In the last few days, it’s been mostly geographic, with our “Meet the Ambassador” programme.  Moving from Indonesia to the Eastern Caribbean and from South Sudan to the Western Balkans (among others), it’s been good to welcome members from a wide range of sectors to meet British Ambassadors and High Commissioners from several continents. I’m most grateful to all those Heads of Mission who have taken time out of a busy Leadership Week schedule in London and around the UK to join us at BEI.

This week we also hosted the “201” webinar session with the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade which focused on bid writing and tender opportunities. Many thanks to the DFAT team, especially Clarinda MacFarlane for making possible this very useful session.

There’s plenty more “geography” to come with an opportunity on Monday to meet our Ambassador to Jordan and an event jointly with the Middle East Association on the UK-GCC FTA. You can register for our UK-GCC FTA briefing here.

‍On Tuesday next week, we look forward to hosting HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent CMG, for a roundtable on the evolving trade and investment patterns in the region and opportunities for British business to export to these growing markets. There are still a few spaces, so please do register here.

Also on Tuesday, we will have a webinar with Andrew Ockenden, FCDO Development Director in Ukraine. Andrew will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Ukraine. If you are interested, register here.

Continuing our geographical programme, before the summer break we will also host a Market Opportunity Overview on the Philippines on Tuesday 14 July as well as an Asian Development Bank Procurement Clinic on Wednesday 15 July 2026.

Looking ahead, a number of Heads of Mission who have been unable to join us over the past few days have told me they are keen to meet our members when they are next in London, so we will aim to host more “Meet the Ambassador” events in the autumn and beyond.

If you haven’t seen them (or indeed been working with us in producing them), you might like to take a look at our latest BEI and Strategy International publications. Last week, as part of our London Climate Action Week programme, we published our paper on “Water Risk and Finance: Bridging the Gap” which explores how the financial community can better understand, price and respond to water-related risks, while unlocking new investment opportunities.

Today we have released a report with FCDO on the Overseas Territories Trade and Investment Study Visit held in March, which summarises the highlights and learnings from the mission.  You can read the full report here.

Finally, our sister organisation, the British Foreign Policy Group, launches its 2026 Annual Survey of UK Public Opinion on Foreign Policy on 15 July. Since 2019, BFPG has produced a survey every year of Britons’ perceptions of the key foreign policy issues of the day. This year’s report, which includes striking findings about generational divides, social media use, trust in the United States and support for defence spending.  BEI members are warmly invited to join us for the launch event, which will include a presentation by BFPG’s Director Evie Aspinall and a panel discussion with invited guests followed by a reception. Please register through our Eventbrite page HERE, ideally before Wednesday 8 July.

With best wishes for the weekend,

David Landsman

Executive Chair  

British Expertise International

Event Recordings and Resources:

(Member access only)‍

• Water Risk & Finance: Bridging the Gap
• Rwanda Market Opportunity Overview
• Procurement Opportunities with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia
• Strengthening Equitable and Inclusive Health
• FCDO Development Director Series: Ethiopia
• Preventing Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)
• FCDO Development Director Series: Nigeria
• Transforming India's Water Sector Non-Revenue Water Trends & Growth Opportunities
• Towards COP17: Urban and Rural Synergies for Water Resilience in Mongolia
• Skills for the Future
• FCDO Development Director Series: Sudan
• Opportunities for Partnership and Innovation in African Tech Sectors

Upcoming BEI Events:

• Monday 6th July 13:30 – 14:45 BST: Meet the Ambassador: Jordan - Join us for our Meet the Ambassador Series, as we welcome His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Philip Hall OBE.
• Monday 6th July 15:00 – 17:30 BST: UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement Briefing -  In partnership with the Middle East Association, this event will provide an on overview and briefing of the recent UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, exploring how UK organisations can take advantage of advanced trade with the GCC.
• Tuesday 7th July 2026 11:45 – 13:30 BST: Roundtable with HM Trade Commissioner to Asia Pacific - Join us for a roundtable with HM Trade Commissioner to Asia Pacific, Martin Kent. This event will provide members with the opportunity to hear from Martin on current trade in the region.
• Tuesday 7th July 2026 14:00 – 15:00 BST: FCDO Development Director Series: Ukraine - Join us as we host Andrew Ockenden, Development Director in Ukraine for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Ukraine.
• Tuesday 14th July 2026 09:00 – 10:00 BST: Philippines Market Opportunity Overview - Join us on 14th July for a Market Opportunity Overview of the Philippines. This session will provide a macro-economic overview of the opportunities in the country, as well as a deep dive into the Infrastructure, Technology and Energy sectors.
• Wednesday 15th July 2026 09:00 – 10:30 BST: Asian Development Bank Procurement Clinic -  Join us for an online procurement workshop with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organised in partnership with the British Embassy in Manila, where we will explore how UK companies can best access and compete for ADB-financed opportunities across Asia.
• 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.
• Date and Time TBC: Strategic Infrastructure Partnerships: UK-Korea Collaboration in Third Markets - Join us and DBT Seoul for a webinar exploring UK–Korea collaboration in third-country infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on Ukraine’s reconstruction. The session will introduce the UK–Korea MoU and highlight how UK and Korean organisations can best partner on international projects.

Register for an upcoming event →

External Events and Resources:

• July 2026: Middle East Association - UK Roadshow - The MEA UK Roadshow is a dynamic multi-city business series connecting UK companies with one of the world's fastest-growing and most opportunity-rich regions. Each event brings together senior business leaders, investors, Government representatives, professional services firms, and regional experts for a focused programme covering trade, investment, market entry, and commercial growth across the Gulf and wider Middle East. BEI members are able to use a discount code and secure tickets for £50. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexpertise.org to receive the discount code.
• 23rd July - Save the Date: Jordan-UK Business Forum: This forum will take place under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and will bring together Jordan and British companies across a range of sectors. Please email Sofia Pennacchietti via sp@britishexpertise.org to enquire about joining.
• 28th - 30th July: UK- Indonesia Rail Forum 2026 Building on the momentum from the UK-Indonesia Rail Roundtable in London (February 2026), the UK- Indonesia Rail Forum 2026 will bring together senior stakeholders from government and industry to translate dialogue into practical collaboration. The Rail Forum will take place in Jakarta between 28th - 30th July. Please email Joel Morro, Government Partnerships Project Lead, DBT London at Joel.Morro@businessandtrade.gov.uk and  Efrizal Saputra, Head of Infrastructure, DBT Jakarta at Efrizal.Saputra@fcdo.gov.uk.
• 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

News & Articles:

• Report: Overseas Territories Trade and Investment Study Visit - British Expertise International and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Paper: Water Risk and Finance: Bridging the Gap - British Expertise International and the Water Resilience Working Group
• Article: London Stansted Airport: Manchester Airports Group's (MAG) Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue - British Expertise International
• Press Release: Minister of Investment of Jordan, H.E. Tareq Abughazaleh and UK industry leaders meet for talks on trade and investment opportunities - British Expertise International
• Article: North London Heat and Power Project: WSP – EcoPark Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue - British Expertise International
• News: Beyond the deal: How the GCC-UK trade deal opens new era of economic partnership - Arab News
• Press Release: UK Government and industry partners host senior Omani delegation for talks on private‑sector investment partnerships ahead of the UK-GCC FTA announcement
• Article: Blue-Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas: UKCEH Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: Innovative Solutions to Water Challenges: HR Wallingford's Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: Ocean Economy Satellite Accounts: Water Research Centre’s (WRc) Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: Delivering a Better World: AECOM's Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Press Release: British Expertise International (BEI) to receive board seat and support secretariat for Infrastructure Exports UK (IE:UK) by British Expertise International
• Showcase: Gender Equity in Action – Building a Fairer Future by British Expertise International and its members
• Article: Integrated Masterplanning: Arup’s Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade and Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Press Release: BEI and FCDO Co-Convene Trade and Investment Study Visit with a Ministerial Delegation from the Overseas Territories (OT’s) by British Expertise International
• Article: Leading with Science®: Tetra Tech’s Contributions to the Overseas Territories Trade & Investment Dialogue by British Expertise International
• Article: British Expertise International (BEI) hosts a ministerial delegation from the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MoRH), Ghana by British Expertise International
• Article: Middle East High-Risk Insurance by Bellwood Prestbury
• News: John Pelton MBE Joins British Expertise International (BEI) as Senior Adviser by British Expertise International
• 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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