As part of this year’s Open Eyes Economy Summit, on 18 November the British-Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) hosted a closed-door Roundtable discussion, bringing together representatives of business, public administration and academia. The talks focused on the development of economic relations between Poland and the United Kingdom, which—according to the participants—have now entered a new, mature phase. The meeting was moderated by Dr Eng. Marcin Cichy, Managing Director of BPCC.
The meeting opened with a presentation by the British-Polish Chamber of Commerce outlining the current landscape of economic cooperation between Poland and the United Kingdom. The data presented demonstrated the strong and lasting presence of British capital in Poland, particularly in the energy, manufacturing, services and legal sectors, as well as the growing contribution of British companies to local supply chains, employment and infrastructure. Strategic investment examples from Imperial Brands and bp Polska were also showcased, highlighting their impact on the Polish economy—from job creation to supporting the green transition and macroeconomic stability. The presentation set the stage for an in-depth Roundtable discussion, focused on new opportunities for cooperation, geopolitical challenges and Poland’s role as a key partner for British business in the region.
A New Context for Bilateral Relations
The discussion opened with an overview of the current state of Polish–British relations against the backdrop of global political and economic developments. Professor Arkady Rzegocki, former Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United Kingdom (2016–2021), pointed to a profound shift in the perception of Poland: “The British today view Poland with far greater respect and interest than a decade ago.” He emphasized that cooperation in security, joint efforts in support of Ukraine, and the growing Polish diaspora of highly qualified professionals in London provide a strong foundation for further economic cooperation. He also highlighted the strength of Polish cities as attractive hubs for investors and tourists—Kraków was the most visited city by British tourists in 2024.
Polish Companies Gaining Confidence in the UK Market
A significant part of the debate was devoted to the increasing activity of Polish companies in the UK. Łukasz Gwiazdowski, Vice President of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), pointed to a clear investment trend: “The United Kingdom has become the third most important destination for the international expansion of Polish companies.” According to PAIH data, over the past three years more than 100 new Polish investments have been completed in the UK, particularly in IT, fintech, e-commerce, engineering and advanced technologies. The UK is perceived by Polish entrepreneurs as a stable, mature market offering opportunities for global business scaling.
British Investments in Poland – Stability in Times of Change
Another key element of the discussion was the perspective of long-standing British investors operating in Poland. Bartłomiej Smoczyński, Global Supply Chain End-to-End Planning & Supply Director at Imperial Brands, emphasized the importance of Poland’s industrial and logistics ecosystem: “Poland is one of the most efficient production and operational hubs in Europe, while also serving as a key base for talent acquisition.” British investors particularly value Polish employees, their high level of technical expertise and strong operational culture. In a similar vein, Adam Ambrozik, Director of External Relations at bp Polska, underlined the company’s long-term approach to strategy: “Long-term thinking is part of our corporate DNA, allowing us to consistently deliver on our plans even in challenging market conditions.” He noted that bp continued to develop its operations even during periods of heightened economic uncertainty.
Talent, Education and Workforce Quality as the Foundation of Competitive Advantage
Leading Polish universities also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the growing role of education in international relations. Professor Piotr Wachowiak, Rector of SGH Warsaw School of Economics, stressed that the mission of universities today extends far beyond teaching. “We do not only educate—we shape people and attitudes.” He also pointed to the record-high employability of SGH graduates as the result of a consistently developed model combining practical education, strong academic foundations and close cooperation with business.
Professor Herbert Wirth, associated with the raw materials industry and Wrocław University of Science and Technology, highlighted the potential of joint Poland–UK projects: “In energy and raw materials, our competences are complementary—we can achieve far more together.” He also emphasized Poland’s strategic role in the reconstruction of Ukraine, noting that the country’s engineering and logistics capabilities, combined with British financing and know-how, could create a partnership of unique value.
Key Conclusions from the Meeting
During the Roundtable discussion, participants unanimously emphasized that economic cooperation between Poland and the United Kingdom currently holds exceptional potential—particularly in the areas of energy, security and the green transition, where the experience of both countries is highly complementary. Attention was drawn to the growing importance of nearshoring and supply chain restructuring in the post-Brexit environment, where Poland is increasingly seen as a stable operational base for British companies. Cooperation in education and talent development also emerged as a key theme—Polish universities and engineers are highly regarded, and academic–business partnerships may become one of the pillars of bilateral relations. The topic of Ukraine’s reconstruction featured prominently, with both countries well positioned to assume a joint leadership role by combining Poland’s logistical and industrial capabilities with British financial expertise. Participants underlined that human capital remains Poland’s greatest competitive advantage, while the mutual attractiveness of both markets strengthens the long-term nature of the partnership. As a result, the meeting confirmed that the Polish–British partnership carries both practical and strategic value—not only for both economies, but also for broader European stability and security.
