In clear contrast to Labour's conference, the Conservative Party Conference had a very different focus, tone and audience. From the outset, the key panels and themes centred on the economy, business, defence and foreign affairs, with a strong emphasis on the City, entrepreneurship, investment and restoring the UK's competitive advantage. Delegates were predominantly dressed in business attire, and the conference appeared particularly focused on working professionals aged betw

The Labour Conference began in a much happier mood than in previous years, buoyed by Andy Burnham as the new Prime Minister. He did not disappoint. In a clear and positive speech on the aims of his government, he optimistically set out Labour’s priorities for the next 10 years: council house building, a National Care Agency, a national energy grid and agency, state control of water, significant devolution of powers to local mayors, a reset with the EU (including options for r

The FCDO and Innovate Ukraine have invested in developing energy innovation projects for Ukraine’s on-going energy challenges and for reconstruction. The issue in this instance is how to deal with the rubble generated by bombed and demolished buildings? A consortium led by Sheffield University, including Lviv polytechnic, University of Oxford, Leeds Uni and National University of Water and Environment in Ukraine, Everox and Rethink, has looked at how best to recycle rubble an

‘Let’s think of Ukraine not as a distressed market, but as a frontier innovation country’ The first UBBC conference opened with a distinguished panel including Oliver Humphrey of HLC, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Lesia Vasylenko MP Rada, and Dmytro Natalukha head of Ukraine’s Privatisation fund. Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne spoke of her experience as an MEP as she worked to include Romania in the EU, which is now very relevant to Ukraine as it moves to enter the

Several UBBC members attended a series of parliamentary roundtables this week Sept 7/8th. MPs are due to visit Ukraine this month and our role was to inform them on business issues and discuss opportunities in Ukraine. The roundtables cover sector discussions such as Infrastructure. Investment risk, Insurance, Energy, Tax and Humanitarian and civil society. Ashley Goodall gave an account of the Gdansk conference outtakes and implications for Ukraine, EU accession and the low

UBBC members attended the EU Ukraine UK parliamentary conference in Smith Square under the auspices of New Europeans organisation and the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine and the APPG on Ukraine. More info on the link below: https://defendingdemocracy.global/wa4u-co-organises-london-interparliamentary-debate-on-ukraine-and-europes-future/ With a mix of EU MEPs, Ben Coleman MP, and two Ukrainian MPs, including Lesia Vasylenko and Vadym Haluchuk. The conversation topics cover

UBBC Reception at House of Lords 16 July 2026 – Mark Irwin Baroness Nicholson, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I begin by echoing Christophe’s thanks to everyone joining us this evening. I would also like to acknowledge our members for their continued support of the vital work the UBBC is doing to foster productive, rewarding and long-term relationships between UK businesses and our partners and friends in Ukraine, who continue to fight for their freedom and t

Baroness Nicholson, Chair of UBBC, hosted our annual reception in the House of Lords on 16th July in Committee Room G. The guests included a select group of members and businesses operating and interested in engaging with Ukraine. Speakers were introduced by Christophe Michels MD of UBBC and included Baroness Nicholson, who welcomed the guests and referenced her time as an EU rapporteur on Romania in relation to Ukraine’s accession to the EU, and how it will serve to boost th

The conference is the fourth of its kind and brings together the leading countries and funders of Ukraine. This year the accent is firmly on EU accession, and the EU member states projected a high profile, as did the agenda, which strongly focused on how Ukraine can accede to EU, the opportunities and considerations. Leading speakers included Friedrich Merz, PM of Germany, Ursula von del Leyen, of the EU and numerous Prime ministers of smaller EU countries. UK companies had a

A select group of UBBC members made the trip to Kyiv week of 15th June, for some the first time, to make new contacts, absorb and learn about the business environment, investments and opportunities to establish a presence. The meetings focused on members requests and interests, including investment in Miltech, Tech applications for export, financial accreditation for banking and business supply chains, insurance and establishing a mental health charity. Beyond several Miltech

UBBC and several members held an online forum to discuss future opportunities and specific upcoming events. Christophe Michels initially introduced two new advisory members: Mark Irwin, previously CEO of Serco, and Hans Nijkamp, formerly a senior director at Shell. Mark gave his overview of the motivations for supporting Ukraine, the business rationale for the UK, and why members should support Ukraine. He also outlined the medium- and long-term opportunities arising from the

The Strategy council’s forum at Clyde and Co, covered the energy transition in Ukraine, with a significant group of Ukrainian delegates and investors convening in London to discuss the burgeoning growth of renewable energy projects and investment into Ukraine. UK energy minister Michael Shanks MP, outlined what the UK is doing to support this initiative, including investing £573m in Ukraine’s energy system and a £33m grant for energy innovation. Areas for attention include de