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SPP Career Talk–Political Risk with Tom Wales and Michael Denison

Thursday, March 2, 2017, 7:15 pm – 8:45 pm

Curious about careers in political risk? This work involves gathering information on an area or country, determining the causes and sources of potential risks (usually in relation to investments), reporting findings, and making recommendations. Political risk analysts / consultants / advisors usually possess excellent research and analytical skills, as well as strong communication and writing skills. Regional and/or country-specific expertise is also frequently sought after in this field—as well as the ability to think ahead creatively regarding possible scenarios.

Tom Wales is a Group Political Adviser at BP’s Government and Political Affairs section. Responsible for Asia and the Americas, he advises on ‘above ground’ (country and political) risk, reporting to the head of government and political affairs, and the Group Management Team. Prior to working at BP, Tom spent ten years at Oxford Analytica Ltd. (OA), an Oxford-based global political risk management firm, where he ran the global political Analysis Team.

Michael Denison is a Political Adviser at BP based in London, covering the MENA and FSU regions. He was formerly Special Adviser to the UK Foreign Secretary and Research Director at Control Risks, an international business risk company. Prior to this Michael was Lecturer in International Security at the University of Leeds and University of St. Andrews and an Associate Fellow of Chatham House. Michael read Modern History at Oxford University and completed his doctoral thesis at the University of Leeds, UK.

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