Corporate development and transaction advisory for emerging and frontier markets
Twenty-five years of principal-level experience in mining M&A, commodities, biofuels and asset management across Africa, the Middle East, Russia and Asia — brought to bear on situations where execution risk is high and local credibility matters.
Not advice from the sidelines — decisions made and defended, on the ground, in the markets where they mattered.
I work with boards, investors and management teams on complex, cross-border transactions and strategic challenges — particularly in markets where execution risk is high.
With 25 years spanning mining and M&A, commodities, biofuels, agricultural operations and asset management across Africa, the Middle East, Russia and Asia, I bring financial rigour, legal fluency and operational credibility to situations that call for someone who has already done this, not merely observed it.
With access to a close-knit network of colleagues, I can supplement my transactional and operating expertise with the specific technical know-how demanded of your situation.
Not advice from the sidelines — decisions made and defended, on the ground, in the markets where they mattered.
Corporate Development & Transaction Advisory
End-to-end support on acquisitions, disposals, JVs, prepayment structures and distressed situations — from origination and appraisal through negotiation, structuring and close.
Interim C-Suite & Fractional Executive
Available as interim CEO, CSO or Corporate Development Director for defined periods — fundraises, restructurings, market entries, or situations requiring experienced leadership without a permanent hire.
Emerging Markets Entry & Investment Appraisal
Independent appraisal of opportunities in Africa, MENA and the CIS — from initial screening through full feasibility and partner identification.
Board Advisory & Non-Executive Roles
Board-level input on strategy, governance and major decisions for internationally active businesses, family offices and early-stage ventures.
Countries where I’ve executed transactions or led appraisal and advisory work — drawn from the record, not a sales map.
A condensed record. Full detail available on request.
Supported revenue growth from USD 15m to USD 200m; executed mineral commodity funding/prepayment structures and corporate mining and infrastructure acquisitions across eastern and southern Africa.
Seconded to Algiers; negotiated partnership agreements for two gold mining joint ventures on behalf of a London-based family office, conducting full investment appraisal for each.
Led a greenfield, fully-developed 1,000-hectare agricultural operation in Mozambique for biodiesel production, from a USD 10m operational investment.
Led acquisition strategy for a mid-sized private oil trader; won a competitive privatisation tender for Serbia’s national river barging company and led due diligence on a Russian bunkering merger and a Mongolian oil-distribution acquisition.
Led the AIM-listed spin-out of a Russian iron ore business; raised USD 187m and acquired USD 345m of new assets; peak market capitalisation of USD 380m.
Family offices & private investment groups
Active in natural resources and agriculture, typically in emerging markets, and looking for someone who can appraise an opportunity or run a transaction on the ground.
Founders & boards
Navigating a transaction, restructuring, or inflection point, and wanting an experienced hand who has sat in the CEO seat, not just advised it.
International businesses
Entering new markets — Africa, the Middle East, the CIS — who need someone with genuine local operating experience, not a slide deck.
Education
London Business School — MSc Finance
University of Durham — BA (Hons) Modern Languages
Languages
English (native)
French & German (fluent)
Russian & Spanish (conversational)
Availability
Immediately, and internationally.
Based
Andorra & Dubai, operating globally.
Tell me about the situation
Whether it’s a transaction that needs structuring, a market you’re weighing entry into, or a board seat you’re looking to fill — I respond personally to every enquiry.