BEI Weekly Update - 4th April 2025

Dear Members and Friends, 

If there’s anything we can take away from this week’s news, it’s that the certainty which business always seeks is no longer on offer. It’s far too soon to see how the world will realign to meet the new realities precipitated (this week) by President Trump’s tariff announcements, but it’s fair to assume that developments will be non-linear and hard to predict. None of our sectors or markets will remain unaffected: some of the international alliances we are beginning to see were not on the agenda even a couple of weeks ago.

We are keen to work with members across our sectors to understand their priorities in the changing environment, from engagement with Government to exploring new opportunities. We are helped in this by our sister organisations, D Group with its reach into the domestic agenda and British Foreign Policy Group, with its focus on public opinion (described to me by a senior UK official as a “leading indicator for policy”) and soft power. I’m also convinced that our members’ expertise can be very useful for Government as it works to understand how best to leverage limited resources. As we shape our own engagement and event programme, I remain open to your ideas.

Next week, we look forward to “Developing Resilient Public Health Systems” with Sightsavers, International SOS, Options, and City of St. George’s, University of London on Tuesday from 16:00 – 19:00 – the registration link is here.

On Wednesday, 9 April from 16:00-19:00, we are hosting our Climate Change Networking Evening with keynote speaker Virginie Fayolle, Head of Climate at Mott MacDonald International Development Services. If you’re interested, please register here.

Looking forward to the end of the month, on Thursday, 24 April, we host  “From Concept to Reality: Has the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Approach Translated into Tangible Results?”. This virtual event will look at the key drivers and barriers to the WEF nexus, with speakers from The World Food Programme, Scene, and IOD Parc. Register here.

On 29 April, our in-person event on “The Importance of Disability Inclusion in Climate Action,” in collaboration with Impel and CBM UK (Global Disability Inclusion), will mark the release of a transformative report from the Bond Disability and Development Group. This report harnesses insights and data from climate programmes and the research of more than 30 civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities and individuals with disabilities. Panellists from FCDO, IDDC, and CBM Global will offer actionable insights into disability-inclusive climate programming and innovative solutions which put equitable outcomes at the forefront of climate action. Please register here.

To those taking an early Easter break, I wish you the continuation of the good weather, and to everyone a peaceful weekend, despite all the news.

David Landsman 

Executive Chairman

British Expertise International 

Recordings of recent past events:

Key events coming up include the following:

  • 8th April 2025 16:00 – 18:30 BST: Developing Resilient Public Health Systems - Join us on 8th April for an in-person panel discussion on Developing Resilient Public Health Systems with speakers from City St George’s, University of London, Dulas, International SOS, Options Consultancy Services and Sightsavers. Our panellists will provide valuable insights into how different strategies and initiatives can contribute to building resilient health systems capable of tackling acute and chronic public health threats.
  • 9th April 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: 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 Virginie Fayolle, Head of Climate at Mott MacDonald International Development Services.
  • 10th April 2025 15:00 – 17:00 BST: Roundtable with GridCo, Ghana’s national transmission system operator - Join an in-person knowledge sharing roundtable with a delegation from GridCo, Ghana’s national transmission system operator, focused on variable renewable energy sources (VRES). This roundtable will allow UK organisations to share technical expertise with GridCo representatives, showcasing UK best practice and innovative solutions for decarbonised energy systems.
  • 17th April 2025 12:00 – 13:00 BST: 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.
  • 24th April 2025 10:00 – 11:30 BST: From concept to reality: has the Water-Energy-Food nexus approach translated into tangible results? - This virtual event brings together speakers from IOD Parc, Scene and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to delve into the application of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach.
  • 30th April 2025 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Mauritius – Market Opportunity Overview - Join our virtual Market Opportunity Overview on Mauritius, featuring speakers from DBT and senior Mauritian government officials and industry leaders. We will discuss the UK-Mauritius Strategic Trade Partnership (STP), and focus on key opportunities in Education & Skills Development, Healthcare & Digital Health, Green Economy & Sustainability, and the Blue Economy.
  • 30th April 2025 10:30 – 13:30 BST: The Importance of Disability Inclusion in Climate Action - Join us for a panel on disability inclusion in climate mitigation and adaptation. Speakers include representatives from FCDO, IDDC and CBM Global, as well as local partner organisations, who will present insights into the impact of climate change on people with disabilities, case studies on successfully strengthening disability inclusion, and how climate and disability inclusion is central to FCDO's ongoing strategy.
  • 1st May 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: Place-based Skills for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation - Join us for a panel discussion on Place-based Skills for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). This in-person panel will explore how localised engineering practices can address the challenges of climate change by creating sustainable, adaptable, and resilient communities. Our panellists will showcase successful examples of place-based skilling for climate mitigation and adaptation, including case studies from the UK and globally.
  • 14th May 2025 12:00 – 14:30 BST: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - Join us for an in-person panel event on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), with speakers from the British Council, City & Guilds Institute and the University of Sunderland. The in-person panel will explore different approaches to CPD frameworks and training educators in an international context.
  • 22nd May 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: 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 Mark Harvey, Founder and CEO of Resurgence – a global social enterprise that supports urban climate risk reduction and resilience. Mark is currently leading DARAJA, an award-winning weather, climate and early warning services initiative.
  • 26th June 2025 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Achieving Systems Change for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Adaptation - This roundtable will explore the complexities of Disaster Risk Management, with a particular focus on Early Warning Systems and locally-led solutions to resilience, and discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges.

External Events and Reports:

  • SUMS Consulting:Understanding the benefits and costs of what universities do” - SUMS Consulting and EAUC are celebrating two years of sustainability support. Over the last two years, SUMS have helped institutions across the sector to embed sustainability into their mission, strategy and the way they do business. SUMS sustainability services are expressly designed for the higher education and further education sectors, and are delivered in partnership with EAUC, the sustainability champion for universities and colleges in the UK. Read more here.
  • 8th - 10th April 2025: Forecasting Healthy Futures Global Summit - Don’t miss this chance to participate in shaping the health agenda for this year’s UN Climate Change Conference. At this year's FHF Summit you will hear from leading adaptation experts, private sector corporations, and regional development banks, on innovative solutions to financing and building health system resilience. Online participation is at no cost for BEI members: please contact Sofia (sp@britishexpertise.org), otherwise, you can register here.  
  • 9th - 11th April 2025: ESG Adria Summit 2025 in Tivat, Montenegro - The Summit will provide an action-oriented forum for leaders to explore solutions to challenges in climate, energy, finance, technological transformation, and workforce development. It will include high-level panels, fireside chats, interactive workshops, startup showcases, and closed-door ministerial meetings, ensuring meaningful engagement across sectors. BEI Members can get a 10% discount on tickets by using the following code when registering: DGroupESGAdria2025.
  • 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.
  • 2nd - 6th June 2025: Asia Clean Energy Forum 2025 at ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines. This is one of ADB’s signature events where clean energy practitioners from across the world convene to share insights and experience in the design and implementation of concrete actions that accelerate the financing of clean and efficient energy solutions. Registration will be open soon. For more details on how the 2024 ACEF transpired, you may refer to this link: Home ACEF 2024 - Asia Clean Energy Forum.
  • 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.

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