Political Risk

What the team is known for

Control Risks is an internationally recognised player in the global political risk market. Beginning as a kidnap and ransom or physical security agency, Control Risks has developed into a firm with an array of intelligence-related services, including political risk. With 36 offices across 26 countries, Control Risks is well placed to provide substantive analysis of politically sensitive developments in almost any jurisdiction.

A market insider comments: "The political risk business has always been part of their DNA. It is the lens through which they look at the world." Another interviewee reports: "They do an excellent job of translating policy and politics into business imperatives." A client says: "Their global coverage is a strength, in particular the connection between their global management of risks and their depth of local resources for any country we ever need."

Notable practitioners

Charles Hecker manages Control Risks' global political risk function and oversees the firm’s main guide to business and political risks, called RiskMap. Hecker speaks fluent Russian and held previous positions in Control Risks as manager of its Moscow office. More recently, he served as Director of Corporate Investigations for Europe and Africa.

One interviewee says: “He can speak to such a broad range of issues; he is not specialised in one geography. He has a much more macro picture and can speak to some of the bigger themes and issues affecting businesses.” A client adds: “He is extremely forthcoming, extremely knowledgeable and easy to converse with. He can break down a complex situation into a very quick analysis.” Another source says: “He speaks wonderful Russian. He has been doing this for 25 years and is a wonderful person.”

Sorana Parvulescu is a partner in the firm’s Dubai office who leads the company’s geopolitical risk analysis team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She assists public and private sector organisations across a wide range of industries, helping them to manage geopolitical, security and reputational risk. She speaks fluent English and Romanian and is proficient in French and German.

Sources describe her as “very engaged, supportive, creative and dedicated.”