Australia’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop, has joined Palladium’s Board of Directors.

Following a highly successful 20-year political career, including Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2018 and deputy leader of the Liberal Party from 2007 to 2018, this is Julie’s first private sector directorship since leaving politics.

“Working with Palladium is a continuation of my long-standing interest in economic development. Palladium has a focus on private sector engagement to deliver effective, sustainable development and I hope to provide further support to the company’s efforts,” says Bishop.

Bishop brings a network of global contacts, years of public service experience and background in driving innovation in international development.
During her parliamentary career, she was praised for her work following the Malaysia Airlines MH17 tragedy in Ukraine, improving Sino-Australian relations, and input into the Colombo Plan, an intergovernmental effort to strengthen economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Palladium’s Executive Chairman Kim Bredhauer values Bishop’s deep understanding of development and working with the private sector in particular: “We’ve long admired her work as a minister toward revolutionising the sector, and we’re delighted to be her first private sector directorship. Her commitment to tapping into private sector expertise mirrors our own, as we develop new and innovative ways to tackle problems of social and economic inequality. We are both committed to inclusive growth, resulting in sustainable solutions around the world.”

Bishop will join a six-strong board of directors including Alonzo Fulgham, former Chief Operating Officer of USAID, and Ann Sherry, former senior civil servant and Executive Chairman and CEO for 12 years of Carnival Australia, the country’s largest cruise ship operator.