Case Study: FCDO builds an inclusive digital talent pipeline with Sparta Global

FCDO builds an inclusive digital talent pipeline with Sparta Global, delivering £85,479 social value per consultant

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) required a highly skilled and diverse workforce to modernize its technology systems. To build a dedicated talent pipeline for specialist digital roles, the FCDO partnered with vendor Sparta Global and its specialized Athena Academy to design a scalable and inclusive solution.

Sparta Global implemented a bespoke upskilling pathway, including rigorous screening and speed interviewing, to train and deploy an all-female consultant cohort as infrastructure engineers and product owners. The results were outstanding: 100% of consultants came from backgrounds facing systemic barriers, 80% identified as female or non-binary, and the partnership generated £85,479 of social value per consultant, equating to a £2.25 return for every £1 invested by the FCDO.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (fcdo)