BDO in Ukraine representatives, CEO Vira Savchenko and Business Development Executive Olga Korniichenko, participated in the UK-Ukraine Trade Mission “Rebirth of Ukraine,” which took place from May 19 to May 28, 2025. The mission was organized by the Mayors’ Club of Ukraine, the UK Department for Business and Trade and Economy of Trust Ukraine, Inc. The mission aimed to support Ukraine’s economic recovery and strengthen the economic ties between the UK and Ukraine.
The delegation included 60 participants from both the business and the municipal sectors, giving Ukrainian businesses and municipalities the opportunity to explore new business ventures, expand their professional networks with UK counterparts and showcase the potential for collaboration across various sectors.
The mission began with a meeting at the Embassy of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. During this meeting, Ambassador Valerii Zaluzhnyi welcomed the Ukrainian delegation and discussed recovery measures, presenting statistics, projects and partnerships.
Ukrainian-British Economic Recovery Business Forum
On 20 May 2025, the Ukrainian-British Economic Recovery Business Forum was held at the Royal Automobile Club in London, marking the start of the mission focused on Ukraine’s economic recovery, reconstruction and innovation. The event brought together leading business figures, investors and government officials from both the UK and Ukraine to discuss essential strategies for rebuilding the country after the war. The forum emphasised the need for enhanced public-private partnerships, legal reforms and the integration of cutting-edge technology in Ukraine’s recovery process. Both Ukrainian and British business leaders discussed collaboration opportunities, with an emphasis on rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure and energy sector, as well as digital transformation.
The event opened with remarks from Rhiannon Kempson, Deputy Director of Ukraine Reconstruction at the UK Department for Business & Trade (DBT).
“We are deeply committed to Ukraine’s future. This forum serves as a platform to discuss the future of our economic partnership and explore avenues to accelerate Ukraine’s recovery,” Ms. Kempson said.
One of the main sessions at the forum focused on scaling up Ukraine’s IT and tech ecosystems. The discussion highlighted how the country’s IT sector has managed to thrive despite the ongoing war. Ukrainian IT industry contributes approximately $7.3 billion in exports, with over 40,000 tech graduates annually. Despite the challenges posed by the war, 98% of Ukraine’s IT companies have continued their operations.
Discussions underscored the potential for expanding Ukraine’s IT and tech ecosystems through enhanced public-private partnerships and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Innovations in AI, automation and smart city solutions were showcased, with Ukrainian cities and businesses presenting their initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable urban development and improving municipal efficiency.
The afternoon session focused on the critical task of rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure, emphasising the significance of strategic planning and international investment. Ukrainian mayors and business leaders shared their experiences of developing industrial parks and energy hubs, aiming to provide a sustainable foundation for the country's recovery and attract foreign investment for further development.
Agriculture is central to Ukraine’s economy, and the forum highlighted the importance of rebuilding and expanding this sector. Innovative AgriTech solutions were identified as essential for enhancing productivity and sustainability of Ukrainian farming. Presentations by Ukrainian mayors and agribusiness leaders showcased their vision for a modern, sustainable agribusiness sector that can overcome the challenges posed by the war.
The final session addressed the crucial topics of financing and investment. Aimana Kelly, Business Development Lead at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, provided insights into the EBRD’s ongoing investments in Ukraine, particularly in energy and infrastructure. She announced that the bank had committed €7 billion to Ukraine’s real economy, including substantial funding for energy and infrastructure projects.
Katya Gorbatiouk, Head of Investment Funds, Primary Capital Markets, London Stock Exchange, and Mark Hankinson, MD and Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets at Deutsche Numis emphasised the importance of integrating Ukraine into international capital markets. They advocated for Ukrainian companies to list on international stock exchanges in order to gain access to long-term investment capital and foster greater economic transparency.
“Ukraine’s future lies in its ability to access international capital markets. This is not just about rebuilding; it’s about positioning Ukraine as a global investment hub,” said Ms. Gorbatiouk.
To conclude the session, Olga Korniichenko presented an Investor’s Guide to Ukraine’s Recovery, tailored specifically for British organizations, which offers valuable insights into the investment opportunities and strategies for engaging in the recovery process of Ukraine.
A day of B2B meetings and Pitch Sessions for the Ukrainian delegation
As part of the mission, the delegation participated in B2B meetings and networking sessions and networking sessions at Coventry University and CMS Law Firm. These sessions were aimed to foster direct connections between Ukrainian and international businesses. Delegates were able to present their projects, products and services, helping to forge new partnerships and investment opportunities. The main focus areas included industrial parks, energy, agriculture, IT and infrastructure projects.
Visiting UKREiiF in Leeds
The Ukrainian delegation also attended UKREiiF, a key event which focused on real estate, infrastructure and investment. Vira Savchenko took part in the Ukraine Roundtable. This special event provided platform for focused discussions on partnerships for post-war recovery and growth. As a representative of both BDO in Ukraine and the Ukraine Recovery Committee of the European Business Association, Vira joined a delegation of Ukrainian mayors, MPs and business leaders to exchange ideas and align strategies with UK government representatives and global industry leaders.The roundtable brought together influential figures such as Alex Sobel MP, UK Trade Envoy to Ukraine; Lord Wajid Khan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Mayor Tracy Brabin of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority; and executives from organizations like Arup, Federated Hermes, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald, Accor and Planet Eco Tech.
Discussions at the roundtable focused on several key topics, including:
− Strategic vision for Ukraine’s post-war recovery
− UK industry opportunities and government support pathways
− Real-world cooperation models to accelerate local resilience and investment
The roundtable emphasised the importance of partnerships in rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure and driving sustainable investment, highlighting opportunities for collaboration in supporting Ukraine’s long-term recovery and growth.
Meeting with Lord Mayor of the City of London
The mission in London concluded with a meaningful meeting with Alderman Alastair King, the Lord Mayor of the City of London and representatives from TheCityUK Ukraine Hub. During the meeting, discussions focused on the importance of establishing trust through strong governance at every level to attract sustainable investment to Ukraine. Alderman King shared insights from his experience with the City’s recovery after World War II. He emphasised that true recovery takes time, as evidenced by the rebuilding of the last destroyed building in the Square Mile, which was not completed until the 1980s.The key takeaway was clear: strong governance is crucial for driving long-term growth and securing investment for Ukraine’s future.
Visit to the Scottish Parliament and discussion with the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine
The Ukrainian delegation continued their mission in Edinburgh with a visit to the Scottish Parliament, where they met with members of the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine. This group advocates for fostering strong ties and collaboration between Scotland and Ukraine. His group played a key role in promoting strong ties and collaboration between Scotland and Ukraine, and they were instrumental in organising the Scottish segment of the UK-Ukraine Trade Mission.
During the event, speeches were delivered by Andrii Madzianovskyi, Consul of Ukraine in Edinburgh, and Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh. Andrii Madzianovskyi emphasised Scotland’s significant role in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and technology. He highlighted the growing partnership between Ukraine and Scotland, stressing the importance of collaboration to ensure sustainable development.Colin Beattie expressed his optimism about the evolving relationship, noting that while Scotland and Ukraine have not historically had close economic ties, this moment presents a tremendous opportunity for mutual growth. He encouraged everyone to seize this opportunity and work together to forge new partnerships. Beattie also underscored the importance of governance in attracting investment, and emphasised that Scotland’s expertise and commitment would be crucial in supporting Ukraine’s recovery.
This visit served as an important reminder of the potential for continued collaboration between Scotland and Ukraine, with both countries focusing on shared values and the long-term goal of rebuilding and innovating together.
The Rebirth of Ukraine Conference in Edinburgh
The mission culminated in the Rebirth of Ukraine Conference at the historic Edinburgh City Chambers, which was held in the official ceremonial hall of the City of Edinburgh. As a representative of BDO in Ukraine, Olga Korniichenko spoke about cooperation opportunities for Scottish companies with Ukraine. The event underscored the shared commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and highlighted the importance of international partnerships in driving economic growth.During the conference, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Andrii Madzianovskyi, Consul of Ukraine in Edinburgh, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA of Ukraine), and Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs, and Culture of the Scottish Government. This agreement aims to foster cooperation across the economic, social, and cultural sectors, creating opportunities for simplified and productive interaction between businesses and local government representatives from both countries. The MoU was the result of months of collaboration between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Government, the Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh, Ukrainian businesses and local authorities.
The conference also featured a series of inspiring speeches. Robert Aldridge, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, opened the event by welcoming all the participants. Angus Robertson emphasised the importance of fostering bilateral business interactions, supporting investment, and focusing on sustainable economic growth through international cooperation. He also acknowledged the resilience and contributions of the Ukrainian people, highlighting in particular the fact that Edinburgh has welcomed over 11,500 Ukrainian refugees, showcasing the city’s support for the Ukrainian community.
Neil Carmichael, GlobalScot and Director of Pacific Green, also expressed his support for the future of Ukrainian-Scottish relations, emphasising the importance of collaboration in economic development.
The conference facilitated productive business matchmaking sessions, enabling Ukrainian businesses to connect with potential UK and Scottish partners. These sessions resulted in valuable new relationships that are expected to contribute to future collaborations and strengthen the ties between the two nations.
Company visits in Scotland
Cairnhill Structures
The Ukrainian delegation’s first stop in Scotland was the Cairnhill Structures facilities, where they learned about the latest technologies and practical approaches used in the UK’s construction and infrastructure sectors. The visit identified potential areas for collaboration, particularly in the reconstruction of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Cairnhill is actively involved in several major projects in Ukraine, including the reconstruction of bridges that were destroyed during the initial stages of the full-scale invasion. These bridges, such as the Vyshhorod and Makariv bridges, are vital for Ukraine’s recovery efforts. The company’s experience in delivering similar UK bridge projects, albeit with a slightly different material grade, makes it an ideal partner in the rebuilding process. The UK Export Finance (UKEF) funding for these projects ensures the involvement of UK companies, providing valuable opportunities for collaboration between Ukrainian and UK businesses.
The National Robotarium
Ukrainian businesses have visited the National Robotarium, where they explored the latest advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. The visit offered valuable insights into the future of automation and AI, emphasising their potential role in Ukraine’s recovery. These technologies are crucial for the development of prosthetic solutions, which is one of the key priorities for the company, offering significant opportunities for innovation in medical and rehabilitation technologies.
Edinburgh Innovation Hub
The delegation has also visited the Edinburgh Innovation Hub, a key initiative aimed at driving innovation and R&D. Supported by both the Scottish Government and East Lothian Council, the hub offers a collaborative environment for the growth of high-tech industries, with a focus on sectors such as life sciences, ICT and food technology. The visit sparked discussions on potential partnerships, particularly in the areas of digital innovation and sustainable production, and showcased opportunities for Scotland and Ukraine to collaborate on cutting-edge projects, thereby fostering long-term growth and development.
The UK-Ukraine Trade Mission “Rebirth of Ukraine” has strengthened the bilateral relationship between Ukraine and the UK, creating new opportunities for collaboration across sectors such as construction, technology and agriculture. One interesting aspect of such events is that you can meet both international and Ukrainian partners, even including some clients, as we did. It is definitely worth participating. Should you require any advice or services that BDO can provide, please feel free to contact us and explore potential cooperation opportunities.
