Scott McDonald
@scott-mcd-1.bsky.social
Chief Executive @BritishCouncil | Former President & CEO @OliverWyman | Former Vice-Chairman @MarshMcLennan | Advisory Board member of @nature_org and @Yodomoco
I visited the British Council team in Kyiv this week after the bombing of our office. I could feel their anger, defiance and determination to continue with our important work.
September 14, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I visited the British Council team in Kyiv this week after the bombing of our office. I could feel their anger, defiance and determination to continue with our important work.
Today, a coalition comprising senior political, defence, security and military figures addressed a letter to the UK Prime Minister. They urged the UK Government to invest in the British Council, the UK’s soft power agency, in light of increasing national security challenges.
I have sent the PM on behalf of 33 distinguished signatories (+me) this letter calling on the Gov’t to sustain funding for the British Council. An effective national security strategy in a changed world needs not just more defence spending but investment in our soft power assets. 1/2
April 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Today, a coalition comprising senior political, defence, security and military figures addressed a letter to the UK Prime Minister. They urged the UK Government to invest in the British Council, the UK’s soft power agency, in light of increasing national security challenges.
On TV Poland World talking about soft power and the long tradition of the British Council.
Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=OR8lq0…
Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=OR8lq0…
March 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
On TV Poland World talking about soft power and the long tradition of the British Council.
Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=OR8lq0…
Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=OR8lq0…
Delighted that Lubaina Himid RA, CBE has been selected to represent the UK at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. The Turner Prize-winning artist will showcase a significant solo exhibition of new work at the British Pavilion, commissioned by the British Council.
February 25, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Delighted that Lubaina Himid RA, CBE has been selected to represent the UK at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. The Turner Prize-winning artist will showcase a significant solo exhibition of new work at the British Pavilion, commissioned by the British Council.
A Global Soft Power Index shows China overtaking the UK for the first time. The US remains the top-ranked nation, while the UK dropped to third in the survey, from @BrandFinance.
Our own research confirms that while the UK is still considered a ‘soft power superpower,’ this position is under threat.
Our own research confirms that while the UK is still considered a ‘soft power superpower,’ this position is under threat.
February 24, 2025 at 8:12 AM
A Global Soft Power Index shows China overtaking the UK for the first time. The US remains the top-ranked nation, while the UK dropped to third in the survey, from @BrandFinance.
Our own research confirms that while the UK is still considered a ‘soft power superpower,’ this position is under threat.
Our own research confirms that while the UK is still considered a ‘soft power superpower,’ this position is under threat.
In #Iraq, education specialist Ibtisam Al-Kaabi has used training from our #SchoolsConnect programme to introduce human rights education and democratic student engagement in schools across the Afek District. In agreement with the Federal Ministry of Education, we expanded the initiative nationwide.
February 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
In #Iraq, education specialist Ibtisam Al-Kaabi has used training from our #SchoolsConnect programme to introduce human rights education and democratic student engagement in schools across the Afek District. In agreement with the Federal Ministry of Education, we expanded the initiative nationwide.
I joined the Goethe-Institut to present at the #MSC on the role of culture in security. Johannes Ebert and I were joined by Ana Riaboshenko from Georgia. We discussed disinformation, community cohesion and reputational security as parts of the battle for national identity across the edge of Europe.
February 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I joined the Goethe-Institut to present at the #MSC on the role of culture in security. Johannes Ebert and I were joined by Ana Riaboshenko from Georgia. We discussed disinformation, community cohesion and reputational security as parts of the battle for national identity across the edge of Europe.
New honorary awards:
Liudmyla Tatsenko – former Head of Education Ukraine, British Council, MBE for services to UK/Ukraine cultural relations.
Dr Elke Ritt – former Head of Arts Germany, British Council, MBE for services to the promotion of UK arts in Germany.
Congratulations to you both.
Liudmyla Tatsenko – former Head of Education Ukraine, British Council, MBE for services to UK/Ukraine cultural relations.
Dr Elke Ritt – former Head of Arts Germany, British Council, MBE for services to the promotion of UK arts in Germany.
Congratulations to you both.
February 14, 2025 at 6:07 AM
New honorary awards:
Liudmyla Tatsenko – former Head of Education Ukraine, British Council, MBE for services to UK/Ukraine cultural relations.
Dr Elke Ritt – former Head of Arts Germany, British Council, MBE for services to the promotion of UK arts in Germany.
Congratulations to you both.
Liudmyla Tatsenko – former Head of Education Ukraine, British Council, MBE for services to UK/Ukraine cultural relations.
Dr Elke Ritt – former Head of Arts Germany, British Council, MBE for services to the promotion of UK arts in Germany.
Congratulations to you both.
Congratulations to Minerva Rodríguez, our Country Director #Cuba, who was awarded the highest distinction in culture ‘El Zarapico' by the Government of Villa Clara Province.
The award was made to Minerva and her team for their contribution to cultural and educational development in the province.
The award was made to Minerva and her team for their contribution to cultural and educational development in the province.
February 13, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Congratulations to Minerva Rodríguez, our Country Director #Cuba, who was awarded the highest distinction in culture ‘El Zarapico' by the Government of Villa Clara Province.
The award was made to Minerva and her team for their contribution to cultural and educational development in the province.
The award was made to Minerva and her team for their contribution to cultural and educational development in the province.
The BBC and British Council brought together people from 119 countries to learn about deep listening. Now, an academic article based on the project has been accepted in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. Congratulations to Emily Kasriel.
Paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
February 12, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The BBC and British Council brought together people from 119 countries to learn about deep listening. Now, an academic article based on the project has been accepted in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. Congratulations to Emily Kasriel.
Paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Good article on the British Council with some wonderful history.
www.telegraph.co.uk/art/artists/...
www.telegraph.co.uk/art/artists/...
What is the point of the British Council?
Founded more than 90 years ago, the institution is in dire financial straits. But it’s a vital soft power tool – not an expensive indulgence
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Good article on the British Council with some wonderful history.
www.telegraph.co.uk/art/artists/...
www.telegraph.co.uk/art/artists/...
We provide thousands of English language examinations worldwide. We rely on many people behind the scenes working hard to ensure everything is set up for test-takers on their big day. Great to see our team in #Nepal bringing together their teams to recognise and celebrate their contributions.
February 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
We provide thousands of English language examinations worldwide. We rely on many people behind the scenes working hard to ensure everything is set up for test-takers on their big day. Great to see our team in #Nepal bringing together their teams to recognise and celebrate their contributions.
I dropped into the British Council Delhi office on Friday to share some Masala chai with the team and caught up on all the work we are doing connecting the UK and India. On Saturday, we had a little look around Delhi.
February 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I dropped into the British Council Delhi office on Friday to share some Masala chai with the team and caught up on all the work we are doing connecting the UK and India. On Saturday, we had a little look around Delhi.
Our team in India was honoured to welcome HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward to our New Delhi cultural centre to open the second edition of the School Education Conference, which was organised in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education.
February 7, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Our team in India was honoured to welcome HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward to our New Delhi cultural centre to open the second edition of the School Education Conference, which was organised in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education.
For 18 years, the Premier League and the British Council have partnered through the Premier Skills programme, empowering coaches, educators, and referees.
We recently delivered a #PremierSkills course to launch a new facility in Gansbaai, #SouthAfrica.
More here: premierleague.com/news/4235091
We recently delivered a #PremierSkills course to launch a new facility in Gansbaai, #SouthAfrica.
More here: premierleague.com/news/4235091
February 6, 2025 at 1:41 AM
For 18 years, the Premier League and the British Council have partnered through the Premier Skills programme, empowering coaches, educators, and referees.
We recently delivered a #PremierSkills course to launch a new facility in Gansbaai, #SouthAfrica.
More here: premierleague.com/news/4235091
We recently delivered a #PremierSkills course to launch a new facility in Gansbaai, #SouthAfrica.
More here: premierleague.com/news/4235091
We've sealed a partnership with UNICEF Egypt to create a framework for the national English curriculum in #Egypt.
Together, we will leverage our technical expertise and extensive networks to embed principles of gender equity, inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainability into the curriculum.
Together, we will leverage our technical expertise and extensive networks to embed principles of gender equity, inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainability into the curriculum.
February 5, 2025 at 4:36 AM
We've sealed a partnership with UNICEF Egypt to create a framework for the national English curriculum in #Egypt.
Together, we will leverage our technical expertise and extensive networks to embed principles of gender equity, inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainability into the curriculum.
Together, we will leverage our technical expertise and extensive networks to embed principles of gender equity, inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainability into the curriculum.
The British Council supported Budoor Al Abid to make a short #film called 'The Marshes of Iraq'. The film has received global attention. It's a beautiful film, which looks at the damage #climatechange is wreaking on an ancient way of life in #Iraq. See the film here: bit.ly/4af0jzS
January 31, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The British Council supported Budoor Al Abid to make a short #film called 'The Marshes of Iraq'. The film has received global attention. It's a beautiful film, which looks at the damage #climatechange is wreaking on an ancient way of life in #Iraq. See the film here: bit.ly/4af0jzS
The British Council in #India has been running very successful Culture Fridays at our libraries in the country. They recently screened The Beatles and India and were joined by the film's director, Indian author and political journalist Ajoy Bose.
January 30, 2025 at 1:38 AM
The British Council in #India has been running very successful Culture Fridays at our libraries in the country. They recently screened The Beatles and India and were joined by the film's director, Indian author and political journalist Ajoy Bose.
Impossible to agree more. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the British Council: cherish and preserve | Editorial
Editorial: Financial struggles dating back to the pandemic are imperilling the future of a bastion of soft power. The government should find a way to help
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Impossible to agree more. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Our flagship CPD programme in #Egypt – Teach Engage Inspire - is wrapping up its third year.
An exciting new CPD programme is planned for Egypt, offering the same quality and innovation. I’m looking forward to seeing it build on the success of Teach Engage Inspire.
An exciting new CPD programme is planned for Egypt, offering the same quality and innovation. I’m looking forward to seeing it build on the success of Teach Engage Inspire.
January 28, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Our flagship CPD programme in #Egypt – Teach Engage Inspire - is wrapping up its third year.
An exciting new CPD programme is planned for Egypt, offering the same quality and innovation. I’m looking forward to seeing it build on the success of Teach Engage Inspire.
An exciting new CPD programme is planned for Egypt, offering the same quality and innovation. I’m looking forward to seeing it build on the success of Teach Engage Inspire.
Meet Bashair Abdallah. She's been with us for 7 years, in our Sudan office, demonstrating resilience and commitment keeping operations going despite the war. She is now in Egypt, promoted to Finance Manager for a programme strengthening the capacity of teacher training institutions in Sudan.
January 27, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Meet Bashair Abdallah. She's been with us for 7 years, in our Sudan office, demonstrating resilience and commitment keeping operations going despite the war. She is now in Egypt, promoted to Finance Manager for a programme strengthening the capacity of teacher training institutions in Sudan.
We launched our International School Awards in 1999 and have recognised over 6,000 schools since then. The ISA empowers schools to cultivate an international ethos and global perspective. The Awards were celebrated by teachers, students and MPs at the House of Commons.
January 24, 2025 at 7:15 AM
We launched our International School Awards in 1999 and have recognised over 6,000 schools since then. The ISA empowers schools to cultivate an international ethos and global perspective. The Awards were celebrated by teachers, students and MPs at the House of Commons.
Congratulations to @exeter.ac.uk - the first member of the UK’s Russell Group to establish a branch campus in Africa. We're proud to have supported the partnership with Ain Shams University in Cairo, which will offer Exeter undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
January 23, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Congratulations to @exeter.ac.uk - the first member of the UK’s Russell Group to establish a branch campus in Africa. We're proud to have supported the partnership with Ain Shams University in Cairo, which will offer Exeter undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
I am delighted to be on the UK Soft Power Council. It is an ambitious and laudable initiative. The British Council needs to play its part supporting the UK government and the UK's remarkable strengths across sectors as we lead the way on creating modern partnerships. More: www.gov.uk/government/p...
January 22, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I am delighted to be on the UK Soft Power Council. It is an ambitious and laudable initiative. The British Council needs to play its part supporting the UK government and the UK's remarkable strengths across sectors as we lead the way on creating modern partnerships. More: www.gov.uk/government/p...
We've just launched our UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme with @educationgovuk and @literacy_trust - connecting 50 UK and 50 Ukrainian schools to share the joy of reading!
Find out more: bit.ly/40BF9Zv
Find out more: bit.ly/40BF9Zv
January 21, 2025 at 5:42 AM
We've just launched our UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme with @educationgovuk and @literacy_trust - connecting 50 UK and 50 Ukrainian schools to share the joy of reading!
Find out more: bit.ly/40BF9Zv
Find out more: bit.ly/40BF9Zv