Activities and News

In 2024, the Group hosted a range of external roundtables, briefings, and activities aimed at strengthening the role of soft power in UK foreign policy and providing opportunities for members to broaden their networks, exchange insights, and to help shape policy making. Below is a summary of some of the Group’s engagements last year:

Roundtable with European Embassies
The Group hosted a private roundtable with representatives from European embassies on the role of UK soft power in the UK-EU reset. The session provided an opportunity for members to connect with senior figures from the London diplomatic community and to identify shared priorities and opportunities for enhanced UK-European cooperation in the soft power space.

Workshop on the Soft Power Council
Ahead of the Government announcing its new Soft Power Council, the Group held a workshop with key stakeholders to explore the plans for the Council, provide feedback and identify opportunities to collaborate with the new Soft Power Council, as well as with the Government’s wider foreign policy priorities.

Country-Specific Workshops
The Group organised a series of closed-door workshops focused on specific countries, inviting key stakeholders with in-market experience to share insights. This included sessions on India and Brazil which featured contributions from senior Government and British Council representatives, offering members practical knowledge about operational environments, UK priorities, and the role of soft power in advancing cross-Government goals in these regions.

Workshops with HMG on Priority Themes
Private roundtables were held with teams across Whitehall, centred on issues of critical importance to members. Topics included the Government’s evolving stance on climate action and net zero, as well as regional engagement opportunities. These sessions facilitated meaningful dialogue with civil servants and explored pathways for deeper collaboration between members and Government.

Briefing on Labour’s Engagement with Soft Power
The Group hosted a session with Nick Forbes CBE, former Labour politician and Shadow Cabinet member, to explore the likely trajectory of UK soft power and wider foreign policy under a Labour government.

The membership also continues to partake in a selection of other activities and research, which you can get a flavour of here.