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Global Britain

Expanding the FCDO’s global network

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is one of our biggest customers, with embassies and posts all over the world. In March 2018, the FCDO announced the Global Britain project: one of the largest expansions of their worldwide estate in recent history. The plan is to create at least 250 new diplomatic roles, expanding the diplomatic service by almost 15%. 

We’ve partnered with the FCDO throughout the project, so far helping to build and open 12 new small diplomatic posts in Asia Pacific, including Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. We’re also supporting the project across Europe and Africa, helping to boost a wide variety of posts.

The plan is to create at least 250 new diplomatic roles, expanding the diplomatic service by almost 15%

So what’s involved in the project? With teams involved across the organisation, let’s put the spotlight on just a couple of the teams involved.

First, there’s our Commercial team. They help develop each project’s commercial strategy, making sure our proposals are competitive in the wider market, to help both the customer and the taxpayer save money. They make sure that every new build is achieved with both quality and value for money in mind, and that our services represent commercial excellence for our customers.

Then, there’s the Procurement team. No matter whether we’re building in the South Pacific or southern Europe, they make sure we’ve got the supplies and services in place to enable each new construction. From local skip and recycling services to construction supplies, they make sure that everything we use is of the highest standard, and that every single partnership meets our ethical requirements. That’s the kind of work they’ll do on the Global Britain project.

In the end, whether it’s our Skilled Trades travelling to fit out new posts in good time, or our Interior Designers ensuring that the embassies’ furnishings are fit for purpose, a range of skills and capabilities will be involved, from across FCDO Services, throughout the project. With Global Britain still ongoing, we’re proud that our efforts will help the UK continue its role as a successful global foreign policy player.