Former head of Abu Dhabi Farmers Service Centre Chosen as New CEO of Global Impact Firm Palladium

Following extensive search for the best candidate, former head of Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre Chris Hirst is appointed CEO from October 2018

Vision to strengthen delivery of major international development programmes around the world and maximise global impact through private sector, investor, and government engagement

London – Global impact firm Palladium has chosen a new CEO to take over from Kim Bredhauer, who has spent 36 years with Palladium and 18 as Group Managing Director and CEO, building the company into one of the world’s largest programme managers and consultancies dedicated to linking social progress with commercial growth.

Following an extensive search, Palladium has appointed internal candidate Chris Hirst, head of Strategy and Corporate Development. He will officially take over the CEO role later this year (October).

Hirst’s career at Palladium spans almost 20 years, holding positions in Australia, the United States, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, and the United Arab Emirates, and includes a five-year secondment as the CEO of Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre. During his time there, he led the organisation from its beginning to operating in support of 24,000 small farms and ensuring that the agriculture sector across the Emirate was commercially viable and sustainable.

As the new CEO of Palladium, Hirst will be responsible for implementing the strategy and delivering on the objectives and vision of the Board. His focus will also be on empowering employees to improve efficiency in operations and delivery of “Positive Impact” – sustainable solutions with both social and economic value – in over 90 countries.

After 36 years of service, multiple acquisitions and significant impact across the globe, Kim Bredhauer has decided to shift his role. He started at Palladium as a recent graduate in 1982, working his way up through the organisation to become Managing Director and CEO – a role he’s held since 2000. Beginning in October, he will continue to guide and oversee the company from his continuing role as Group Managing Director and beginning in January 2019, Executive Chairman designate.

Palladium has more than 2,500 staff operating in complex environments across the world to improve societies, communities, businesses and the lives of millions. Core tailor-made services include consulting, programme management, impact investing and capacity building in public and private sectors ranging from education and the environment to health and food security.

Chris Hirst, new CEO of global impact firm Palladium, said: “I’m extremely proud to have the opportunity to take over from Kim, who has been hugely successful in developing the company to what it is today. I’m passionate about social change, which is what my career has been about since the beginning, but I’m also drawn to the business side. The CEO role is the best place to be able to influence both of these.

“I have an intimate understanding of the company, where we’ve been and where we want to go. I’ve been in different roles – team leader, project director, head of Strategy, seconded CEO – and I’m familiar with everything from our markets to our internal culture. My ambition is to continue Palladium’s growth, working with innovative partners to help improve economic and social welfare across the world.”

Kim Bredhauer added: “This decision has been years in the making, following a robust internal and external search. Chris is a talented strategist with a deep commitment to Palladium’s success. In addition to his strong business acumen, he is passionate about social change and making the world a better, more equitable place. Based on my own experience as CEO, I believe the role will require him to tap into both drivers, just as all good CEOs should.

“Our employees trust him, our clients trust him, and I trust him. From my new role on the Board, I’m looking forward to continuing our important work together.”

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© Press Release 2018