The Doing Business with the UK conference took place on Thursday, 16 October 2025, at Rzeszów City Hall, in Rzeszów’s historic main square. The event brought together business leaders, local government representatives and trade experts from Poland and the UK to discuss opportunities for cross-border collaboration and investment. This was the fifth such event to take place in this format since 2019.
The event was opened with an official welcome from Konrad Fijołek, Rzeszów’s mayor, who opened the proceedings, accompanied by Councillor Stephen Cowan, leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Borough Council in London.
The BPCC’s Michael Dembinski delivered the first presentation, titled How to Win on the UK Market, offering practical insights into market entry strategies for Polish businesses. It is, he said, a market that offers opportunities both for mass-market products sold at low prices as well as premium goods, which can command high prices, but need strong brand awareness. At the same time, the middle market is shrinking. He was followed by Rafał Owczarek, head of Trade and Investment for the UK & Ireland at PAIH (the Polish Investment and Trade Agency), who discussed Opportunities, Challenges, and What Really Works in the UK, highlighting sectors with high potential for Polish exporters. Mr Owczarek’s presentation contained valuable information on those key sectors, which include food, tech and construction materials.
Magdalena Suraj from ARP, Poland’s industrial development agency spoke next, outlining how The Polish Investment Zone enables enterprises to gain a competitive edge through incentives and support mechanisms. With ready-to-go business units available in south-eastern Poland, UK businesses from the defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors interested in entering the Polish market can find a helpful partner in the ARP.
Education and business support
Representatives from Grant Thornton, Dominika Dębowska (head of department, Accounting Services) and Barbara Kujawa (accounting manager), looked ahead at 2026 – A Year of Challenges in Accounting, addressing the regulatory and financial-reporting changes that would affect companies operating across Europe.
Later in the morning, attention turned to the education sector. Magdalena Dobrzańska-Frasyniuk, founder and president of IPS International School of Rzeszów, together with development director Magdalena Blum, introduced the school’s mission under the title Excellence in Education, Now in Rzeszów.
Councillor Stephen Cowan then returned to the stage with a presentation on Business Support in Hammersmith & Fulham, White City Innovation District, described how the London borough has fostered innovation through collaboration between local authorities, academia, and industry to great effect.
Ewelina Oczoś, export sales director at Reconal, presented a case study highlighting her company’s UK experience in international business development, showcasing some of the major projects the Rzeszów-based firm has worked on across London and the South East. Reconal produces aluminium cladding in its Polish factory and installs them on new buildings in the UK, “with zero improvisation on site”.
After the networking lunch, which gave participants an opportunity to establish new contacts and exchange ideas, the event ended with a workshop session, London Experience, Rzeszów Ambition: Building Innovation Districts Together, exploring how cities can create environments that stimulate creativity and growth. Guided by international best practice, the discussion focused on how Rzeszów could build its own innovation ecosystem.
Summary
The Doing Business with the UK conference successfully showcased the potential for closer economic and innovation ties between Polish and British enterprises. With contributions from government officials, business experts, and educators, the event reinforced Rzeszów’s growing role as a dynamic centre for international collaboration.
Created by Businessradio.media
