Control Risks

Addressing compliance and sustainability issues along your supply chain isn’t only about keeping regulators happy. It’s also just good business.  As organisations race to stay ahead of regulations and elevate their supply chain practices, Maria Knapp and Yadaira Orsini speak to Microsoft’s Senior Manager for Responsible Sourcing, J.J. Messner de Latour,  about whether Compliance’s prominent role in managing ESG in supply chains is truly a good idea.  This is the second episode of Control Risks’ new ESG podcast, The Good Idea. 

Multiple data leaks in recent years have prompted governments across the region to scrutinise the processing and flow of information within and beyond their societies. As technology adoption surges, regulators are increasingly concerned about the implications for national security – and are building national frameworks on how information is being processed. While China is often emphasised in the headlines, digital sovereignty actually is a broader concern across Asia. In this episode, Angela Mancini, Partner talks to Jim Fitzsimmons, head of our APAC Digital Risk team about how companies are affected by this move, and how they can adapt their business models to navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape across the region.   Visit our cyber content hub for more analysis on the digital risks companies face. For more insights across the Asia-Pacific region, please subscribe to our Asia In Focus podcast.

Artificial Intelligence has been on the minds of governments for many years. But with the sudden advent of widespread public access to generative AI like ChatGPT, governments are now on the back foot. Join Control Risks Partner, Claudine Fry, for a conversation with Control Risks Principal, Jonathan Wood, for a conversation about how the real threat to geopolitics from AI might lie in its ability to reinforce current dynamics rather than upending them. Find out how our global team of political and country risk experts can support your organisation by visiting our website. And stay up to date with our cyber team at our cyber hub.   

Reaching an agreement or an amicable dispute resolution outside of court is often voluntary and based on good faith, which in some cultures can be seen as a sign of weakness whereas in others, incentivised. Join our host, Christine Soon for a final conversation with Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University, Nadja Alexander in In Re’s Negotiation series as they discuss how to bring the parties to the negotiation table. Find out more about our Litigation and Dispute services.  

From choosing which relevant parties to involve around the negotiating table, to identifying the long-term reputational risks or opportunities associated with the issues, preparation is key to a successful agreement. Join our host, Christine Soon for a conversation with Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University, Nadja Alexander in the second episode of In Re's Negotiation Series. Together, they consider the course of action organisations can make to prepare for a desired outcome in a commercial dispute. Find out more about our Litigation and Dispute services.  

From bargaining a discount off a purchase you’re looking to make, to reaching an agreement on your rent with a landlord, negotiating can be part of our everyday lives. Quite often - particularly in a commercial dispute - we don’t consider effective negotiation strategies, which can make for a confusing journey to a desired outcome. Join our host, Christine Soon for a conversation with Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University, Nadja Alexander as they discuss what makes a successful negotiated agreement between parties. Find out more about our Litigation and Dispute services.

Talk of India’s economic rise has been around for the last decade. Its skilled workforce, coupled with low labour and production costs, makes it an attractive market for investors. India's strategic position also enhances resilience in regional supply chains for neighbouring countries navigating geopolitical tensions. However, there are challenges inherent in this complex market, and businesses often find themselves navigating what feels like many separate nations.  In this podcast, Angela Mancini, Partner, speaks with Aryaman Bhatnagar and Shikha Kher, Senior Analysts based in our Delhi office to understand how foreign businesses can navigate India’s ever-evolving landscape to be equipped for the promise the country holds.  Interested in our India analysis? Read our article, India's Modi Operandi: Why the economic gains might trump the social pains to make this India’s decade or contact our India experts for tailored advice.  For more analysis across the Asia-Pacific region, please subscribe to our Asia In F

Thailand held its general elections recently on 14 May, where the opposition beat the incumbent pro-military coalition. Surprisingly, it was the progressive Move Forward Party that emerged as the largest party, not pre-election favourite Pheu Thai. However, forming the government will be a tricky prospect as the incumbent coalition and the Senate could spoil the party for the opposition. The people of Thailand have signalled a desire for change – which is by no means a guaranteed outcome – but investors should already be preparing for the impacts and opportunities to come. Angela Mancini, Partner, speaks with Harrison Cheng, Director and South East Asia Lead Analyst to find out how businesses should prepare themselves in the short and medium term. Visit our South East Asia hub to explore the issues of doing business in one of the world's fastest-growing markets. If you are looking for more analysis across the Asia-Pacific region, please subscribe to our Asia In Focus podcast.

What does ‘ESG’ mean for the responsible investor?  What aspects of ESG as a risk management approach should we carry forward, and which we might want to leave behind in favour of another approach? Join ESG Director Maria Knapp for a conversation with Phil Davis, Director of ESG at Helios Investments LLP as they explore the effectiveness and suitability of the ESG framework while addressing pressing questions surrounding the private equity (PE) industry. How much pressure does PE face from the mounting mandatory reporting and disclosure requirements? They also dive into the impact of ESG as a compliance and risk management framework on PE, discussing how it occupies valuable time and resources.

Demographics are routinely cited as a factor influencing unrest, elections, economic fortunes, politics.   Join Claudine Fry and Serena Pilkington as they unpack current global demographic trends, how these drive everything from economic vitality to unrest, and the implications for business now and into the future.    

On and off the pitch the use of digital technology is becoming increasingly relied upon by the sporting industry. But in this era of growing connectivity, are organisations in danger of being kicked into touch by ever more sophisticated threat actors? Control Risks Partner Nic Reys sits down with Control Risks Global Head of Sport, Entertainment and Major Events, Daniel Heal and Senior Consultant, Steve Sacks to discuss what is going on with cyber security in the sports industry. Find out more about our cyber and digital services.   Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch.

Thailand will be holding its general elections less than a week, on 14 May. This upcoming election is shaping up to be the most competitive one since 2011. In the past, elections have almost always favoured the current opposition party Pheu Thai led by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Now, Thaksin – more specifically his daughter – is now back in the spotlight as Pheu Thai tries to repeat its electoral feats of the past. Will this election produce political stability, and free up the government from military rule to focus on economic transformation, or will there be a return of large-scale demonstrations in Bangkok like in 2013-14? Angela Mancini, Partner, speaks with Harrison Cheng, Director and South East Asia Lead Analyst to find out what all these mean for foreign investors. Read our article Geopolitical sanctuary: Thailand’s upcoming election and investment opportunities for more analysis on Thailand, or visit our to explore the issues of doing business in one of the world's fastest-growing markets. If

As the hype and media chatter around Artificial Intelligence grows, organisations and boards are increasingly facing questions regarding the impact of this emerging technology and how best to prepare for it. In this episode, Nic Reys is joined by Control Risks Partner Michele Wiener as they discuss the implications of artificial intelligence today and into the future. Find out more about our cyber and digital services. Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch.

The message from Western developed economies, but particularly from the United States, is to stop making things so far away from home. Is this the end of globalisation? Join  Charles Hecker and Claudine Fry for a conversation with Control Risks experts Alejandra Soto and Aryaman Bhatnagar about what the outlook for two nearshoring hotspots, Mexico and India, tells us about where supply chains, manufacturing and the global economy are headed.   Visit controlrisks.com to find out how we can help you navigate changing world. 

In March, the White House released its National Cybersecurity Strategy with the aim “to better secure cyberspace and ensure the United States is in the strongest possible position to realize all the benefits and potential of our digital future”. Join Steve Sacks on a Decrypt Deep Dive for an overview of what’s included, the key takeaways for business, and how the strategy can play a role in cyber security strategies within your organization. Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch.

The Communist Party of Vietnam has been on an aggressive anti-corruption drive. Earlier this year, in a move unprecedented in recent Vietnamese political history, three key national leaders including the ex-president were forced to step down on charges of corruption.  The campaign, commonly described as the ‘burning furnace’, has mainly affected the real estate, healthcare and banking sectors, but there are concerns that other sectors will come under heat.  Angela Mancini, Partner, speaks with Linh Nguyen, Associate Director and Lead Vietnam Analyst on what anti-corruption drive means for businesses with exposure in Vietnam. They also discuss whether the Vietnamese economy will be affected by external factors such as the re-opening of China, the banking crisis in the West, and if there is a silver lining for investors in all of this turbulence.   Watch the on-demand recording of our webinar, Power, Politics, Potential: The new realities of doing business in Vietnam or listen to our podcast episode, Vietnam: I

Without the necessary and effective preparation, cyber crisis management can look very different in practice compared to on paper, leaving organisations exposed to an increased potential for damage. Join Stina Connor for a discussion with Control Risks experts Elspeth Robertson and Emma Sanderson on the key challenges organisations face with cyber crisis management and how they can effectively prepare. Find out more about our cyber and digital services.   Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch.

China’s reopening after three years of zero-COVID policy has been one of the most discussed topics for international companies recently. The policy shift spurred hopes of a broad economic revival. With pent-up demand being released, China saw a strong rebound in consumption in January, directed at sectors like tourism and retail. Business activity is also picking up, something that can be seen in the surge of global CEOs traveling to China. Despite signs of improvement, China's prospects for future growth are far from certain. Long-standing and emerging issues continue to pose risks to business operations. Join Angela Mancini, Partner, as she talks with Kent D. Kedl, Partner and Head of Greater China and North Asia, and Yifei Zhang, General Manager of East China. They discuss the most recent developments in China after an about-turn in its zero-COVID policy, the outlook for the country in 2023, the key issues at the top of the agenda for many of our clients right now, and how businesses should correctly calib

Investing in African Mining Indaba is a staple in the mining industry’s calendar. This year over 6,500 attendees came together to discuss and explore the latest trends and developments in Africa’s mineral industry. With ESG, digitization, diversity, transparency, decarbonisation and technology being high on the agenda , one thing was clear throughout: the time for African mining is now.   Join Shawn Duthie and other experts from our Johannesburg, Paris, and Americas office as they discuss the key themes from this year’s Mining Indaba, how these key themes may transpire at the 2023 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), specific countries to watch, and what risks and opportunities companies can expect to face in the year ahead. 

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was designed to decapitate the Ukrainian administration in just a matter of days. The war has now ground on for a year. What does the long-term really look like? Join  Charles Hecker and Claudine Fry for a conversation with Control Risks expert Anna Walker to discuss the near-term uncertainty for the conflict on the ground, the potential end goals for both Russia and Ukraine, and the wider geopolitical implications as the war continues.