The chief executive of Palladium International has told U.K. lawmakers that the company — one of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s biggest contractors — would survive without FCDO contracts, despite acknowledging the agency comprises 80% of its U.K. business.
Speaking at an International Development Committee hearing Tuesday examining whether FCDO is getting value for money from its use of private contractors, Sinéad Magill said the company is working toward reducing its global reliance on FCDO, with a target that no single client represents more than 10% of its international portfolio. The department’s contracts now account for 22% of Palladium’s global business — up from 16% prior to cuts to U.S. development assistance.
Asked whether the firm could remain operational if it lost its U.K. government business, Magill responded: “We would still be able to function as an organization. We’re very committed to retaining our presence here and to diversifying our presence here.”
About the author
Susannah Birkwood
Susannah Birkwood is a Devex contributing reporter focusing on U.K. aid policy and international development. She has reported on foreign aid budgets, peacebuilding, and the politics of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, drawing on more than 16 years of experience across newsrooms and NGO press offices. She has overseen major media campaigns for international NGOs, including WWF, ActionAid, and Plan International, and has advised a wide range of charities and INGOs on media strategy and press outreach.
