Dear Members and Friends,
I suspect that we are all seeing the summer break recede in the memory as a new urgency returns to our work. This year in particular, in the early weeks of a new UK Government and with so much seizing the agenda internationally, we certainly know that the new term has started.
This week the Skills and Training Working Group looked at a sectoral approach to international skills provision. The discussion was led by Jonathan Ledger, Skills and Professional Bodies Specialist at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), who is also the Expert Advisor of our Sills and Training Working Groups. Jonathan was joined by Jane Rexworthy, Executive Director at People1st International and Chair of the UKSP. During the discussion we dove into some incredible insights on UK skills expertise and its innovative approaches. Skills training isn't just about preparing students for today, but also equipping them for the future. The UK’s approach excels at creating bespoke, tailor-made training programmes that fit the unique needs of each country or region. Whether it’s developing renewable energy skills in South Africa, automotive manufacturing skills in Mexico, or hospitality expertise in Viet Nam, the UK’s ability to localise its world-class training ensures that it delivers maximum impact.
Next week, the pace in Grafton Street (and virtually) quickens considerably.
On Wednesday 10 September we have our Ethiopia - Market Opportunity Overview. Join us for an insightful Market Opportunity Overview, featuring colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa. This webinar will provide a unique opportunity to understand market dynamics and explore how UK businesses can contribute to and benefit from Ethiopia’s growth trajectory.
Also on Wednesday, our next SME Wider Community Engagement with the FCDO SME Advisory Board meeting will take place. I’m delighted that BEI is able to continue our support for the members of FCDO’s SME Advisory Forum in their engagement with the wider SME community. Join us for our second virtual meeting led by the FCDO SME Advisory Forum members Charlie Duff, Managing Director and Vice President, Alinea International; and Sue Griffiths, Managing Director, Social Development Direct. These sessions are also open to SME non-members, so feel free to inform any your colleagues in the sector.
On Thursday 11 September we will be hosting a virtual session on Meeting the Global Demand for Biodiversity Credits - This session will explore some of the innovative approaches and partnerships on biodiversity credits. For the first time in our programme, we are pleased to welcome Gold Standard. Gold Standard are currently developing a biodiversity impact framework methodology that guides the design, management, implementation and monitoring of actions that generate true biodiversity impacts.
I mentioned last week that we have been running hard to invite a number of UK Heads of Mission (Ambassadors and High Commissioners) to join us during their recently-announced Leadership Week. I am delighted that we will be able to welcome Neil Wigan OBE, High Commissioner to Kenya; David Wallace, Acting High Commissioner Malaysia; Laure Beaufils Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau; Dominic Jermey CVO OBE, Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste; and Dr Liane Saunders, Ambassador to Oman. Spaces for these events are will be quite limited; if you would like to attend any of them, please email Amalie Coleman and we will do our best.
Somewhat further away from Grafton St, we are delighted to be supporting the forthcoming UK Trade Mission to Azerbaijan on 14-17 October, including participation 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 events, a networking reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence, speaking opportunities and participation in the UK Pavilion at the exhibition.
For thirty years, the UK has been the largest investor in Azerbaijan. We have a relationship of trust and our expertise is highly valued. In the year of COP29, this connection is becoming stronger than ever. COP will serve as a catalyst to showcase the UK's hands-on experience throughout the region. For further information and to express an interest, please contact Sasha Barnes.
Finally, I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to support our friends at ICAI, who perform such a vital role in ensuring the quality and accountability of UK aid spending. ICAI’s new Commissioners, Liz Ditchburn and Harold Freeman, have launched a consultation to gather views to inform their future work plan, ways of working, as well as the products they produce. They are keen to hear from everyone with an interest in ICAI’s work and would particularly value hearing from our members via a short survey which you can find here. Background to the consultation is available on ICAI’s website.
With so much going on in the coming weeks, I look forward to seeing you again soon, at least virtually and I hope before long in person.
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- View our recent recordings here.
Key events coming up include the following:
- 10th September 2024 09:00 – 10:00 BST: Education Working Group: International Education and Soft Power - Join us online on 10th September from 9.00-10.00am for our September Education Working Group which will focus on the role of international education and soft power, with guest speaker, Evie Aspinall, Director of the British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG).
- 10th September 2024 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Ethiopia - Market Opportunity Overview - Join us for an insightful Market Opportunity Overview, featuring colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy in Ethiopia. This webinar is a unique opportunity to understand the market dynamics and explore how UK businesses can contribute to and benefit from Ethiopia’s growth trajectory. Don’t miss out on this chance to engage with experts and discover new business potentials in Ethiopia.
- 10th September 2024 15:00 – 16:00 BST: SME Wider Community Engagement with the FCDO SME Advisory Board - BEI is delighted to continue supporting the members of FCDO’s SME Advisory Forum to engage with the wider SME community. Join us for our second virtual meeting led by the FCDO SME Advisory Forum members: Charlie Duff, Managing Director and Vice President, Alinea International & Sue Griffiths, Managing Director, Social Development Direct.
- 11th September 2024 10:00 – 11:00 BST: Meeting the Global Demand for Biodiversity Credits - This session will explore some of the innovative approaches and partnerships related to biodiversity credits. For the first time in BEI’s programme, we are pleased to welcome Gold Standard. Gold Standard are currently developing a biodiversity impact framework methodology that guides the design, management, implementation, and monitoring of actions that generate true biodiversity impacts.
- 17th September 2024 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.
- 19th September 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 the UK government, IFIs and other key stakeholders, aims to define that offer and leverage it to increase exports.
- 23rd September 2024 15:00– 18:00 BST: Creating a Skills Agenda To Support a High Tech Economy: a Case Study and Round Table with Victor Hoskins - As the UK looks to build scale in its position as a science and technology super-power and invest in building regional hubs focused on high tech industries, join us for a fascinating round table with Victor Hoskins, President of the Fairfax County Economic Development Agency. He will examine and share how he and his team have created a skills agenda to support and underpin the economic success of the County.
- 26th September 2024 14:30 – 16:30 BST: Scaling Infrastructure Decarbonisation Through Digital in Emerging Markets - EBRD Green Cities, Connected Places Catapult and Mott MacDonald will explore how the UK’s leadership in digitally-driven infrastructure decarbonisation can be effectively adapted and scaled in emerging markets. By exploring insights from the technical, funding, and government spheres, attendees will gain actionable ideas to accelerate decarbonisation efforts within their organisations and client networks.
- 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. For more information, please email Alexandra Barnes.
- 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.
- 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.
Register for an upcoming event →
External Events
- Wednesday 2nd October - Thursday 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.
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