Dear Members and Friends,
If there ever really was a summer “silly season” with no real news, then with a new Government in July and with both elections and hot crises in many parts of the world, we certainly haven’t seen it this year. Even without that pause, the autumn is here in earnest with the party conferences. We at Strategy International are represented at both Labour and Conservative conferences: colleagues Evie Aspinall and Nick Forbes will be providing an online update on Wednesday 2nd October at 16.30. Do join if you’d like to hear our take on the political direction and the ‘mood’ of the conferences.
As far as the international picture is concerned, it’s certainly worth reflecting on the Prime Minister’s address this week at the UN General Assembly. In a speech full of substance which consciously links the domestic and international agendas (e.g. on climate), I was struck by a number of elements of interest to BEI. First, a recognition of the importance of ensuring adequate finance for both climate mitigation and adaptation and a commitment to use the UK’s strengths to leverage private finance including through a new BII facility. Secondly, a clear mention of nature and biodiversity alongside climate. There was also a restatement of the commitment to return to an international development budget of 0.7% of GNI “when fiscal circumstances allow”. But I was particularly struck by the Prime Minister’s wish to change the way the UK operates on the international stage. In his words, “listening a bit more – speaking a bit less. Offering game-changing British expertise and working together in a spirit of equal respect.” We’ll of course accept with thanks the name check for BEI (!), but seriously there’s a real lesson for us all here. With a long legacy of UK (and Western) intervention around the world, by no means all of it successful, the best intentions can easily misfire if they are delivered in the wrong way. It’s worth keeping these words in mind when we are working toward more collaborative approaches in our work.
In Grafton Street it was good to see such a great turnout on Wednesday for the private view of “Pearls of Colour” our current D Contemporary exhibition organised with the cooperation of the Embassy of the Philippines. We are grateful to the Ambassador for his presence and support.
On Thursday, we held a hybrid session on “Scaling Infrastructure Decarbonisation Through Digital in Emerging Markets” led by an expert panel including Tali Trigg, Principal for Electric Mobility at EBRD Green Cities; David Orr, Product Lead Moata Carbon Portal at Mott MacDonald; and Gavin Summerson, Built Environment Team Lead at Connected Places Catapult. The panel and subsequent discussion highlighted the challenge of accessing robust data, the need to work across Government, academia and industry and build highly effective partnerships. Critically, participants stressed the importance of just getting started, even with a small project, and using this as a foundation that can be expanded and scaled over time.
Next week, the Education Working Group meets on Monday 30 September to discuss “Including everyone: Supporting people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)”. The discussion will be led by Claudia Bickford-Smith, CEO at KSI Education; Dr Elliott Spaeth, Senior Consultant in Equality Diversity and Inclusion at Advance HE; at Angela McCabe, North East England and Scotland Assessment Manager at Hodder Education.
Thursday 3 October, we have a virtual panel discussion on “Innovations in Insurance for Climate Adaptation”. Our speakers will discuss how some of the mechanisms now being adopted by delivery partners are enabling investment in climate resilience while bringing co-benefits and positive social outcomes. The panel will be: Colin McQuistan, Head of Climate & Resilience at Practical Action; Jack Watt, who leads on Climate and Sustainability at Marsh; and Sophie Evans, Associate Director – Advisory at the Centre for Disaster Protection.
Looking further ahead, a reminder to register for our “Engaging with USAID – UK Partners Day” on Monday 21 October, where we will be joined by a number of senior USAID officials. It’s good that they are taking their engagement with the UK community so seriously: it’s the only such engagement they are planning in Europe on this occasion. I’m sure this will be a particularly valuable occasion with practical insights for those members who currently work with USAID or who are keen to do so in future. The day will include a number of talks and panels, as well as the opportunity for one-to-one discussions, which will be arranged on a “first come, first served” basis. More details on the programme can be found here, where you can also register. Please email max@britishexpertise if you are interested in a one-to-one session. While on the subject of engagement with major bilateral donors, we will be holding a similar event to meet with Australian DFAT on 28 November. More to follow on this event.
Our GESI working group is preparing for the launch of the second edition of its report, which has been updated with case studies from new BEI members together with a new section highlighting the importance of localisation. This will take place at an event entitled “Defining Localisation” on 23 October with speakers from Cadmus, World Vision and Concern World Wide. The panel discussion will give members the opportunity to share innovative approaches they are taking localisation. As this is still very much an emerging strand in development work, with various interpretations, I’m sure this will be a particularly useful discussion.
For your weekend reading, you might be interested in a forward-looking thinkpiece by our member Turner and Townsend on the evolution towards aggregated commercial functions with specialist expertise, including integrating ESG objectives, whether at the level of an investment portfolio, a programme or individual projects. I look forward to seeing you, either in Birmingham or at one of our events in London soon. In the meantime, best wishes for the weekend,
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- 10th September 2024: Ethiopia: Market Opportunity Overview
- 11th September 2024: Meeting the Global Demand for Biodiversity Credits
Key events coming up include the following:
- 30th September 2024 09:00 – 11:00 BST: Water Resilience Working Group: Virtual Trade Mission to Jordan - Following the release of BEI Water Resilience Working Group’s recent report, ‘Water Resilience - Unlocking local and global benefits through collaboration’, members are invited to meet virtually with key government and private sector stakeholders from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
- 2nd October 2024 16:30 – 17:30 BST: Reflections on the 2024 Party Conferences - Join us for a Virtual session hosted by Group CEO Robin Mackenzie, with Evie Aspinall, Director of BFPG and Nick Forbes, our Senior Advisor. They will share their reflections on the Labour Party Conference - from discussions around geo-politics and policy through to the insights they picked up and their general observations of the mood of the first conference for the new Labour government. They will also cover observations from the Conservative Conference, followed by a Q&A.
- 3rd October 2024 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Education Working Group | Including everyone: Supporting people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - Join us as we host a panel event showcasing best practice for supporting people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in education. The panel will explore the current challenges of and approaches to SEND in an international education context through K12, Further Education and Higher Education.
- 3rd October 2024 15:00 – 16:30 BST: Innovations in Insurance for Climate Adaptation - International development organisations are actively supporting innovations in insurance to enhance climate adaptation. Our panel will discuss how some of these mechanisms are enabling investment in climate resilience while bringing co-benefits and positive social outcomes.
- 8th October 2024 12:00 – 14:30 BST: Working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - Join us at 23 Grafton Street or virtually as we host the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for an update on the bank’s strategy and guidance on navigating its procurement processes. In addition, there will be a briefing on EBRD’s infrastructure Project Preparation Facility and a review of the infrastructure project pipeline. If attending in person, please arrive from 11:30. The event will take place at 12:00-13:30, followed by networking lunch until 14:30. When registering, select ‘attend remotely via webinar’ to receive a Teams link for the 12:00-13:30 BST event.
- 14th – 17th October 2024: Azerbaijan: UK Infrastructure Trade Mission & UK Pavilion at Baku Build - Join a UK Trade Mission to Azerbaijan and participate in the UK Pavilion at the Caspian’s largest infrastructure exhibition – Baku Build. The trade mission, in partnership with the British Embassy in Baku, will include B2B and B2G activities, a networking reception at the British Ambassador’s residence, speaking opportunities and participation in the UK Pavilion at the exhibition. Places are limited to ensure each participating company receives our full attention. Participation in the British Pavilion is free of charge. Delegates will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. British Expertise International will charge an administration fee of £300+VAT for each participant. For further information and to receive the application form, please get in touch with Sasha Barnes at ab@britishexpertise.org. The administration fee will be payable upon signing the application form.
- 21st October 2024 09:00 – 16:00 BST: Engaging with USAID – UK Partners Day - Join us for our yearly BEI – USAID, UK Partners Day. We are delighted to be joined for a one-day event by senior representatives from USAID as well as welcome back Mike Shanley from Konektid International. Our speakers will run a series of panel discussion in the morning followed by an afternoon breakout session and 1-to-1 sessions which can be booked individually with each of the speakers.
- 23rd October 09:00 – 11:00 BST: Defining Localisation - Join us for this event to launch the second edition of our GESI Report, updated with case studies from new BEI members and a new section of the report which highlights the importance of localisation. A panel discussion will follow, at which BEI members will discuss recent innovative approaches they have taken to localisation.
- 23rd October 2024 15:00 – 16:30 BST: Argentina - Market Opportunity Overview - Argentina is a valuable trade and investment partner for the UK due to its diverse economy, rich natural resources and strategic location in South America. We are delighted to welcome DBT colleagues to share insights on Argentina’s strategic priorities and resulting opportunities for UK plc, in sectors including Infrastructure, Security and Mining.
- 12th November 2024 09:00 – 10:30 GMT: Tanzania – Market Opportunity Overview - Tanzania offers a range of exciting opportunities to UK organisations in sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining, climate-resilient agriculture and skills development, as well as opportunities in the Blue Economy in Zanzibar. We are delighted to welcome a stellar panel including the new UK High Commissioner to Tanzania alongside her counterpart in the UK, as well as speakers from the Tanzania Investment Centre and UK DBT.
- 14th November 2024 10:00 – 11:30 GMT: Morocco – Market Opportunity Overview - Wrapping up an eventful and exciting year in UK-Morocco bilateral trade relations, we are thrilled to welcome back our colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade to share updates on recent UK achievements and future opportunities.
- 28th November 09:00 – 10:15 GMT: Working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia - This online event on Working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia will feature a panel of BEI members sharing their experiences of working with DFAT. The panel of existing suppliers to DFAT and former colleagues who worked as part of Australian Aid will share tips and tricks on how to win contracts, how to prepare for funding from DFAT, and the challenges organisations may encounter suppliers.
- 3rd December 09:30 – 10:30 GMT: India Education Deep Dive with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) - Join us for a webinar deep dive into education opportunities in India led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The DBT Education team in India 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 Indian market.
Register for an upcoming event →
External Events
- 2nd - 3rd October 2024: The Global Leakage Summit - 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. Follow the summit on LinkedIn here. Please do email us if you have any further questions about attending this event and we can connect you with the right partners.
- 9th - 10th October 2024: ADB Business Opportunities Fair (BOF) at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City - The BOF 2024 is a one-stop networking forum for consultants, contractors, suppliers, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) interested in pursuing business opportunities under ADB-financed projects. Participants will learn about ongoing and upcoming ADB business opportunities and can meet with ADB sector experts and procurement specialists.
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