Wilton Park is a non-profit Executive Agency of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) that convenes policy conferences on international issues. Although part of government, it is autonomous, hosting discussions on issues that may or may not align fully with government policy.
Wilton Park’s autonomy stems from its status as an Arm’s-Length Body; its financial model, which is based on funding from a wide range of sources; and the objectivity and impartiality of its Programme Directors and conference outputs (this covers the range of different types of Wilton Park events and products, such as reports, videos, etc.).
Wilton Park is valued as a safe space for sensitive issues to be surfaced and debated in an open and equitable manner, supporting challenge, solving problems and strengthening policy-making. To ensure this, in no way can Wilton Park’s policy convening:
- Undermine or contradict an established policy or position of the UK Government.
- Advance a partisan political purpose or commercial interests.
- Promise access to, or direct influence of decision makers in exchange for funding.
Wilton Park is bound by the same standards of conduct and legal frameworks as the rest of the UK Government. It is committed to the highest standards in fundraising practice, and therefore adheres to the following guidelines:
- Wilton Park works closely with partners but retains ultimate responsibility for programme design and accountability for policy outputs. Final decisions rest with the Programme Director responsible.
- To ensure independence, objectivity and inclusion, Programme Directors may seek to diversify funders.
- Objectives and intended outcomes are clearly defined and agreed between Wilton Park and the funders at the outset. Wilton Park will ensure adherence to these policy objectives through the development process, subject to changes agreed between it and the funders.
- Wilton Park is required to conduct due diligence on potential partners to prevent any conflict of interest or negative consequences for Wilton Park, FCDO and HMG. It may therefore ask detailed questions to obtain this information. Wilton Park reserves the right to decline offers of partner funding without explanation.