“The fact that we are now the world's largest funder of the World Health Organisation should be a major embarrassment to every country on this planet.”

Sam Fenwick speaks to Mark Suzman, CEO of Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic organisation, about why he thinks cuts to global aid spending is costing lives.

He says the Foundation has overtaken world governments to become the largest financial backer of the WHO. Last year, the United States scaled back parts of its overseas aid budget. It wasn’t the only county to do so, with many governments including the UK, Germany, France and Japan all spending less.

For an institution with little democratic accountability, Mark Suzman is asked whether there is too much reliance on the Gates Foundation globally and whether its priorities are the right ones.

Thank you to the Business Daily team for its help in making this programme.

This interview was recorded on 29 January 2026. This is not mentioned in the episode. Since the interview was recorded, the BBC has reported on Bill Gates and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Articles include:

Presenter: Sam Fenwick

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(Image: Mark Suzman Credit: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)