Languages:
- English
- French
- Persian/Farsi
- Arabic
- German
Regional expertise:
- Middle East and North Africa
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Education:
- BA European and Middle Eastern Languages (French & Persian), University of Oxford
- Certificate in Advanced Persian Language & Literature, Dehkhoda Institute, University of Tehran
Ronan has particular expertise in advising clients on FCPA, anti-bribery and corruption, sanctions compliance and anti-money laundering matters, with a focus on sectors with close government touchpoints such as energy and telecoms. He also has significant experience conducting investigations into allegations of fraud and corporate misconduct, including in low-transparency jurisdictions such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
As Deputy Head of Operations, Ronan also focuses on building internal capability to support high calibre intelligence-gathering and client advisory.
Before joining Risk Advisory, Ronan was a Near East analyst for a government organisation based in London, where he examined the activities, funding and influence networks of parastatal military organisations across the Middle East, as well as domestic terrorism and dual use technologies. He previously worked at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and for an organisation monitoring government corruption in Togo.
Project highlights
- Advised an international oil and gas company on its entry into Mauritania, leading interviews on the ground in Nouakchott and Dakar to underpin a detailed assessment of political, economic, security and corruption-related risks.
- Identified potential fraud by a customer of a pharmaceutical client purporting to be based in Afghanistan. Established that the customer had forged records, concealed their true identity and location, and had close ties to businessmen convicted of fraud in the US.
- On behalf of external counsel for a multinational corporate client, conducted an in-depth investigation into a counterparty active in a Middle Eastern city previously under Islamic State control. Carefully assessed whether the company had cooperated with militants and/or provided funds to them, in support of our client’s disclosures to government authorities.
- Investigated whistleblower claims against the management of a healthcare client’s affiliate in the Levant, assessing the possibility that the allegations were fabricated by a business rival.