UCEC’s CEO Neil Carmichael recently attended the Wilton Park ‘World in 2025’ Reception at Lancaster House — one of the most storied venues in British diplomacy and a fitting setting for a conversation about the UK’s role and influence in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
Wilton Park has long occupied a distinctive position in Britain’s foreign policy infrastructure. As an independent forum that brings together governments, businesses, academics and civil society from across the world, it is uniquely placed to shape the kind of dialogue that influences how nations engage with one another. The focus on soft power at this reception was therefore entirely appropriate — and encouraging. Soft power is not a peripheral concern for a country in Britain’s position. It is one of the most significant tools available to a mid-sized nation seeking to maintain influence, build trust, and create the conditions for trade and cooperation.
For UCEC, this is not an abstract argument. The organisation’s work — forging partnerships between UK and Chinese education institutions — is soft power in practice. Education is one of the most enduring and effective ways one country can build genuine understanding with another. The relationships formed between students, academics, and institutions outlast political cycles and create the kind of people-to-people ties that underpin long-term cooperation. Hearing Baroness (Jenny) Chapman articulate why activities like UCEC’s matter was both validating and energising.
The breadth of the room itself was a reminder of how many different actors have a stake in how Britain exercises its influence internationally — businesses, government departments, and international representatives all under one roof, each with their own perspective on what soft power looks like in practice and what it can achieve.
“Excellent evening at Lancaster House for the Wilton Park ‘World in 2025’ Reception. Soft power is already high on the agenda with Wilton Park perfectly placed to play a leading role in developing opportunities to exercise it. UCEC, of which I am CEO, is forging partnerships with Chinese education institutions — it was good to hear from Baroness (Jenny) Chapman why such activities matter. It was also encouraging to network across so many businesses, department officials and international representatives.”
— Neil Carmichael, UCEC
Neil extends his thanks to Tom Cargill for making the evening possible. Events like this — where the people shaping policy and the people delivering on-the-ground international work are in the same room — are exactly where ideas become momentum. UCEC looks forward to continuing to play its part in the soft power agenda as its partnerships with Chinese institutions deepen and grow.
