Anastasia FliahinaOverview of the
UA-UK ECONOMIC RECOVERY
BUSINESS FORUM
London, May 20, 2025
If you have ever doubted that business can be a driver of change, you should have attended this year’s UA-UK Business Forum in London. There was no room for formalities or empty speeches — every session, every networking event, every coffee break turned into a concrete dialogue about projects and steps to implement them. From the very first minutes, it was clear that this was not just an event, but a real platform for those who want to bring about change.
Thanks to the work of the Mayors’ Club team, Ukrainian co-organizers from the Economy of Trust Inc. company, as well as the support of the UK Department for Business & Trade and many other partners, this year’s UA-UK Business Forum in London became a unique platform for real dialogue, partnerships, and inspiration for more than 200 participants who came from different parts of Ukraine and the UK. From the very first minutes of registration, the atmosphere was filled with energy and anticipation of groundbreaking encounters. The opening of the forum was accompanied by the national anthem and a minute of silence, which gave the event a special emotional tone. Denys Demchenko, on behalf of the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom, emphasized: “Today, we are not just discussing recovery — we are looking for concrete solutions and partnerships that can change the future of Ukraine tomorrow.”
Key speeches and quotes
Rhiannon Kempson, Deputy Director Ukraine Reconstruction, UK Department for Business & Trade, emphasized in her inspiring speech: “The reconstruction of Ukraine is not only a challenge, but also a unique opportunity to create a modern, transparent, and innovative economy. The United Kingdom is proud to stand alongside Ukraine on this journey.”
Henry Shterenberg, Founder & CEO of EOTU, President of World Trade Center Kyiv, added: “We are not just building business relationships – we are building the future of Ukraine, agreement by agreement, handshake by handshake.”
Mark Corbidge, Founder and CEO of Abbeydale Partners, emphasized: “Investing in Ukraine is investing in the future of Europe. This is where ideas that can change the world are born.”
Technological breakthrough
The first session, dedicated to IT and innovation, set the tone for the forum. Moderated by Lars Grønkjær, a member of the EOTU advisory board, visitors were fully immersed in the topic of the role of innovation in Ukraine’s recovery and attracting investment. Graham Zebedee (Director DBT, UA-UK Tech Bridge) mentioned that now is the time to scale up, unite, and show the world what Ukrainian innovation is all about. The panel discussion with Uliana Lutchyn (Mantis Analytics), Denis Gursky (1991 Ventures), and Andriy Kolodyuk (UVCA) turned into a brainstorming session on how the Ukrainian tech ecosystem can become a global player. The startup pitch session was very substantive: Mykola Bumazhnyi (City for People), Rodion Borokhovych (ECOFACTOR CHARGE), and Yuliia Habriiel (Eyre) presented their innovative and IT solutions, particularly for smart cities and urban analytics. As Andriy Pizhevskyy noted on behalf of the city of Vinnytsia: “Local innovation is the foundation of national recovery.”
Infrastructure and energy: new horizons
The second session of the forum was devoted to infrastructure, energy, and green technologies. Moderated by Lars Petersson, member of the EOTU Advisory Board and member of the APCO Worldwide International Advisory Board, distinguished speakers Victoria Merton (Encyclis), James Ballingall (NISTA), Yaroslav Petrov (Asters), Mike Maudsley (Enfinium), and David Kipling (On-site Energy Ltd) emphasized that sustainable development is a key direction for Ukraine, not just a modern trend. British innovations in waste processing with heat generation can and should be implemented in Ukraine. The participants discussed the implementation of industrial parks using the example of a large-scale project in Artsyz, logistics hubs, infrastructure projects in Dobroslav, hydrogen solutions, and energy-efficient technologies that can ensure sustainable growth and modernization of the country. The presentation by Oleksandr Repkin (Ukrainian Hydrogen Council) was very interesting, showing how Ukraine can become a leader in hydrogen energy. We are also proud of the business members of the delegation, the company Prana, who presented their infrastructure solutions that are already being implemented in the UK.
Agribusiness and AgTech: Ukraine as a guarantor of food security
The third session was a real treat for agrarians and tech startups. The session was moderated by Mirjana Dimc Perko, member of the EOTU Advisory Board, founder and CEO of InCon, an investment and management consulting firm. Oksana Osmachko, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, emotionally stated: “Ukrainian agriculture is not just about feeding the country. It is about feeding the world and setting new standards in agricultural technology.” Chris Jackson (UKTAG), Andrew Levi (technology investor), and Oleksandra Sologub (NAZOVNI) discussed how digitalization and innovation are changing the agricultural sector, and pitches from agri-startups proved that Ukrainian farmers are already implementing what others can only dream of.
Finance and investment: transparency and trust as the new currency
The financial session brought together top managers from leading financial institutions. Katya Gorbatiouk (London Stock Exchange) emphasized: “Transparency and trust are the new currency for investors in Ukraine.” Mark Corbidge (Abbeydale Partners), Aimana Kelly (EBRD), Mark Hankinson (Deutsche Numis), and Nicola Watkinson (TheCityUK) shared success stories and practical advice for raising capital. Of particular interest were cases involving Ukrainian companies listing on the London Stock Exchange and attracting foreign investment.
Networking
All this was accompanied by active networking—from coffee breaks to evening receptions, where Ukrainian startups and municipalities found partners among British corporations and investors. Each session, each speech, and even informal conversations in the corridors created a unique atmosphere of trust, openness, and common purpose.
The forum left behind not only new contacts, but also the feeling that Ukraine’s economic recovery is no longer a dream, but a real process in which each participant has become part of a great story.
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