Dear Members and Friends,
The welcome news of moves towards a ceasefire in the Middle East and the renewed speculation about the future of Ukraine at the start of the second Trump Presidency both serve as reminders that even when conflict comes to an end, there will be a great deal of work to be done in these troubled regions for a long time to come. The Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv this week confirms that the UK Government very much sees a long-term role for a partnership between Britain and Ukraine and that, as in the Middle East, there will be much that our members can do to contribute.
The unfortunate reality is that talk of conflict coming to an end looks today like dangerous complacency with the autocracies increasingly emboldened and challenging what we have come, somewhat lazily, to call the international rules-based order. In this light, our partners at the Coalition for Global Prosperity will be launching their latest report “Development in the pre-war era” on Tuesday 28 January from 19:00 at RUSI in Whitehall. The report argues that UK development spending can and must play a decisive role in protecting UK and Western security and resisting the challenges to the international system. This is precisely what many of our members are effectively doing and we very much welcome this initiative. The registration link can be found here.
Meanwhile, as the New Year advances, the pace of our own programme continues to accelerate. On Thursday we had a virtual session on AI and Innovation in International Development. We were joined by Accenture Development Partnerships and CARE International UK and UCL Consultants to discuss the opportunities and challenges for AI in the sector. Louise James, MD at Accenture Development Partnerships focused on the inclusion of hard-to-reach and marginalised groups, highlighting insights from their report, written in collaboration with CARE, on the role of civil society in AI decision-making in the Global South. To share insights from the report, we were also joined by Suzy Madigan, Senior Humanitarian Advocacy Advisor at CARE International UK. Finally, Bjorn Christianson, Director of Business Development at UCL Consultants, examined the importance of research and development, and how the research infrastructure in universities can interface with commercial partners in the development context.
It was also good to see this week the first meeting of 2025 for the Water Resilience Working Group. More news on the working groups to follow.
Next week, we look forward on Tuesday to an in-person panel and networking lunch with our members Integrity and Cadmus, who are instrumental in enhancing the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) aspects of FCDO’s and DEFRA’s programmes. We will be joined by Daniel Cowing, Senior Scientific Officer at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and also the MEL lead on the UK’s Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF), a £100m ODA investment from 2021-2030 which is supporting developing countries to fight poverty, protect nature and tackle climate change.
Also next Tuesday morning we will have a focus on Tanzania with a virtual session with Kemi Williams, FCDO’s Development Director, who will discuss the UK development strategy, programming and pipeline. Continuing the Africa theme, on Tuesday afternoon (14:00 - 17:00) we will be hosting an in-person programme of panels exploring education opportunities in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade.
Each panel will include a number of brief country reports by in-market DBT education advisors highlighting key context and partnership opportunities. This will include opportunities across the K12, TVET, tertiary, English language and EdTech segments. We will also be joined by delegates from government and the private sector, including schools and edtech organisations, from Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia, with representatives from Nigeria, Egypt and Mauritius, as well as colleagues attending the BETT conference from across the African region. If you wish to register, please do here.
You may have seen reports that the Foreign Secretary is planning to launch together with the Culture Secretary a new senior-level Soft Power Council to ensure that soft power is fully integrated into the UK’s international strategy. Our colleagues at BFPG, through the UK Soft Power Group which BFPG co-chairs with the British Council, have been working closely with FCDO as this initiative, a priority for David Lammy, has evolved. It’s good to see in the FCDO’s approach strong echoes of UK Soft Power Group’s Strategic Framework.
Although soft power is sometimes equated with “culture” it’s clear both to the Government and to UK Soft Power Group that it’s much wider than that. In particular, it’s important that the role of the UK’s bilateral international development programme is also seen as a crucial soft power tool as well as for its broader contribution to national strategy. We will be working with BFPG to ensure that this is given the emphasis it needs and deserves, including through engagement with the Foreign Affairs Committee which, recognising the importance of soft power in the Government’s strategy, is launching a major inquiry. At a time of increasing fiscal challenge, this is an important opportunity to make the case for development across all its dimensions. BEI and BFPG together are uniquely placed to bring these together. If you’d like to know more about how you can be involved in the UK Soft Power Group’s ongoing work, please get in touch direct with BFPG (hello@bfpg.co.uk) or through your BEI contacts.
Finally, I wanted to make sure you’re aware that we are looking to hire a new Relationship Manager to work with Sasha in supporting our members on infrastructure, climate and nature. This will be an exciting role to be in the engine room of BEI’s work in these sectors, with the opportunity also to get involved a part of the wider Strategy International team. Details are here. If you know anyone who might be interested in the role, please do let them know so that we can be sure that we have the best possible team supporting you…
In the meantime, warm wishes for the weekend ahead,
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- 11th December 2024: Opportunities to Partner With Leading EPC Contractors Working in Africa
- 11th December 2024: The EBRD Ukraine Project Preparation Facility
- 16th January 2025: AI and Innovation in International Development
Key events coming up include the following:
- 16th January 2025 09:30 – 11:00 GMT: AI and Innovation in International Development - Join us for a webinar discussion on AI and Innovation in ID, with speakers from Accenture Development Partnerships and UCL Consultants. The panel will offer insights into the potential and risks of Gen AI in a development context, as well as the role of Research and Development (R&D) in ensuring innovation in this space.
- 16th January 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 the UK government, IFIs and other key stakeholders, aims to define that offer and leverage it to increase exports.
- 21st January 2025 09:00 – 10:00 GMT: FCDO Development Director: Tanzania - Join us as we host Kemi Williams, Development Director in Tanzania for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Tanzania.
- 21st January 2025 10:30 – 13:30 GMT: Harnessing Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning for evidence-based policies and programmes in Climate and Nature - Grounding climate and nature policy making in knowledge obtained through monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) is more crucial than ever. To explore how this is being done in practice, we will hear from two BEI members who are instrumental in enhancing the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) aspects of FCDO’s and Defra’s programmes.
- 21st January 2025 14:00 – 17:00 GMT: Education Opportunities in Africa - We are delighted to invite you to an afternoon of thought-provoking panel discussions exploring education opportunities across Africa, hosted at British Expertise International in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade.
- 28th January 2025 16:00 – 19:00 GMT: Climate Change Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, potential new partnerships and the chance to meet with members of our Climate Change Working Group. Our keynote speaker this time is Kate Hargreaves, DAI’s new Director for Climate and Environment. Kate’s work reflects a holistic approach to tackling the climate crisis, combining technological innovation, financial strategy, community involvement, and social equity.
- 4th February 2025 11:00 – 12:30 GMT: Working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) - IFC is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. IFC provides equity investments, loans, and advisory support to businesses and projects that can drive growth and innovation in emerging markets. This hybrid event will serve as an introduction to working with the IFC. The session is designed for both new and established partners, offering an annual update on key developments and opportunities.
- 5th February 2025 09:00 – 10:30 GMT: Philippines - Market Opportunity Overview - With a young workforce and ongoing reforms, the Philippines offer abundant opportunities for UK organisations across infrastructure, energy, and technology. The DBT Manila team alongside the regional UKEF representative will bring insights on the latest developments in the UK-Philippines bilateral relationship, and some of the key business opportunities.
- 6th February 2025 14:00 – 15:30 GMT: Disinformation: Countering Divisive Narratives - Join us for an online panel event on Disinformation: Countering Divisive Narratives, which will feature a panel of BEI members sharing their expertise working on projects countering disinformation globally.
- 20th February 2025 10:00 – 11:30 GMT: Unlocking Potential: Expanding Affordable Housing Solutions in Africa - BEI members Altair alongside their partners Shelter Afrique, the pan African housing finance development bank, and the Nigeria-based multi-disciplinary property services company, Modern Shelter are delighted to invite you to join a free webinar exploring affordable housing solutions in Africa.
- 25th February 2025 14:00 – 15:30 GMT: Education Working Group: Driving Operational Effectiveness in International Schools - Join us for our February Education Working Group on Driving Operational Effectiveness in International Schools, with speakers from EDT, Ardingly College, Etio and DBT. The online panel will identify and explore key factors that contribute to operational effectiveness in International Schools and how to best ensure the delivery of quality education.
- 27th February 2025 16:00 – 19:00 GMT: Climate Change Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, potential new partnerships and the chance to meet with members of our Climate Change Working Group. Our keynote speaker this time is Andy Blackhall, Managing Director of WRc. Andy will reflect on his career and his hopes for the future.
- 11th March 2025 11:00 – 12:00 GMT: FCDO Development Director Series: Kenya - Join us as we host Leigh Stubblefield, Development Director in Kenya for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Kenya.
External Events:
- 25th & 26th February 2025:World Water Tech Innovation Summit - The World Water-Tech Innovation Summit is the premier networking event for water leaders, investors and innovators to share and showcase best practice in delivering climate-resilient, energy-efficient water systems. The summit returns to London on February 25-26, 2025, bringing together forward-thinking water utilities, regulators, engineering firms, investors and start-ups from around the world for two days of pivotal discussions, partnership building, and innovation discovery.
- 11th & 12th March 2025: 4th UN International Procurement Seminar with the United Nations at the UN City, Copenhagen. This two-day seminar will include panel discussions, presentations from the UN Agencies and inform suppliers about procurement needs, procedures and how to do business with the UN. There is also a unique opportunity to request 1-2-1 meetings with the 10 participating Agencies & 2 Development Banks.
- 7th & 8th May 2025: Global Leakage Summit - The premier event for the international leakage community to listen, learn, and build relationships, tackling the toughest challenges together. Join presenters and panelists from leading UK and international water companies, and explore the latest technologies, data innovations, and software solutions from our exhibitors. In the face of climate change and record-high global investment in leakage management, this two-day conference promises a world-class knowledge-sharing program and invaluable networking opportunities.
- 3rd - 5th September 2025, KazBuild 2025, Kazakhstan: Stand booking is now open for international exhibitors at KazBuild exhibition in Kazakhstan - the largest international building and interiors exhibition in Kazakhstan, annually welcoming over 7,000 specialist trade visitors to the show. KazBuild will be held 3-5 September 2025 in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan. Held since 1994, the exhibition showcases the latest products, services, technologies, and projects available on the market, and provides a key platform for governmental and building industry professionals to exchange experiences, establish cooperation and share the latest industry developments. Please contact Mrs. Tatyana Borodikhina by email: tatyana.borodikhina@exhibitions-conferences.com to learn more about how KazBuild can help to establish your business in Kazakhstan.
Register for an upcoming event →
Not a member?
Learn more
For more information about British Expertise International: Sign up to receive this Weekly Update
- View our upcoming events
- Becoming a member
- Follow us on Twitter
- Join our Linkedin group
