Wilton Park Marks 80 Years as Key Multilateral Facilitator for UK Diplomacy
Monday, 12 January 2026
Wilton Park, an executive agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, is celebrating its 80th anniversary as a leading international dialogue convenor. The agency has announced a new strategy aimed at positioning itself as a modern multilateral facilitator for UK diplomacy.
The move comes at a critical time as traditional diplomatic structures face increasing pressure from shifting global power dynamics. In response to calls for greater diplomatic innovation in the Western world, Wilton Park is expanding its focus on flexible partnerships with the private sector, faith groups, and civil society.
Since its establishment in 1946, Wilton Park has played a crucial role in shaping post-war Germany, supporting transatlantic security, advancing climate action, and strengthening global health systems. Its newly expanded role will see it deepen dialogues with key partner countries while also supporting major multilateral institutions and developing smaller, more agile arrangements.
In addition to its traditional role, Wilton Park will now work with a range of international players, including faith actors, civil society representatives, and business leaders. This new approach aims to bring together diverse voices to address global challenges that traditional diplomacy alone cannot solve.
Wilton Park’s CEO, Tom Cargill, expressed the agency’s commitment to adapting and expanding its role to serve as a modern multilateral facilitator for the benefit of the UK and the world. He stated, “At a time of global disruption and instability, the UK needs new ways to connect and influence. Our focus is on bringing together diverse voices to address the challenges traditional diplomacy alone cannot solve.”
As part of its efforts, Wilton Park plans to host a major dialogue in the summer of 2026 to explore the future of international diplomacy, draw lessons from successful approaches, and develop concrete proposals for more entrepreneurial engagement on the global stage.
Baroness Gisela Stuart, Wilton Park’s Chair, emphasized the agency’s crucial role in a fast-changing and uncertain world. She stated, “In order to serve the UK’s national interests and navigate complex international challenges, British diplomacy must evolve. The UK has been a leader in convening global partners, and Wilton Park is a crucial diplomatic asset.”
Wilton Park was established on January 12, 1946, as a center to educate German prisoners of war and rebuild democratic institutions in post-war Germany. Since then, it has hosted approximately 80 events annually, bringing together over 3,000 participants from more than 100 countries. The agency is based at Wiston House in West Sussex, where it has operated since 1951.
For more information about Wilton Park’s history, please visit their website. For media inquiries, please contact Jack Pearson, Head of Communications, at jack.pearson@wiltonpark.org.uk or 07715085280.
