INTELLIGENCE BASED ADVICE
Since
GMTL is a leading corporate intelligence firm providing strategic advisory and high-end due diligence.
Headquartered in London, we have offices in Washington DC, Cairo, Canberra, Zurich, Brussels and Milan.
Affiliates worldwide
We help clients make informed decisions about their business all over the world. Our highly qualified independent network of commercial and political specialists enables us to tackle issues in all sectors in over 150 countries.
Years of collective experience
The company is owned by its management and our core team has over 500 years of collective experience in corporate strategy & risk management for corporates and private investors.
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This can take the form of a stand-alone report, or a monitoring service (e.g. a weekly or monthly report) to keep clients fully appraised of an evolving situation. These cover a range of topics including:
Competitor strategy
Reputation analysis
Government regulation and policy
Market entry strategy
Insights on tender processes
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Qualitative and intelligence-led due diligence forms an integral part of any potential M&A transaction, joint venture or partnership deal. On behalf of both corporates and leading investment funds, we support our clients on a global scale by providing comprehensive intelligence on a variety of issues in the run up to transactions.
The most common drivers for our pre-transactional work include:
Understanding the reputation and probity of senior leadership within a company
Evaluating the strengths, weaknesses and dynamics in play among management and other key stakeholders
Understanding the broader corporate culture in place within a company
Assessing any regulatory or political exposure which may impact the viability of a client’s investment
Identifying and evaluating any current or historical risk with regard to bribery, corruption, money laundering, sanctions exposure or other legal / regulatory issues
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GMTL Advisory provides strategic guidance to businesses and investors navigating complex regulatory landscapes and political dynamics across various geographies. We specialise in translating policy developments into actionable insights, ensuring clients remain agile in evolving environments.
Key focus areas include:
EU Directives & Compliance: Proactive analysis of EU regulatory frameworks, including implementation timelines, cross-border implications, and compliance strategies for industries like manufacturing, energy, and financial services.
National Policy Shifts: Global real-time monitoring of legislative changes, parliamentary debates, and departmental consultations across sectors such as healthcare, technology, and environmental regulation.
Government Stakeholder Mapping: Profiling of ministers, senior civil servants, and parliamentary committees to anticipate policy directions.
Investment-Specific Regulatory Exposure: Assessing the regulatory and political landscapes impacting a particular investment opportunity; identifying potential headwinds/tailwinds.
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In a contentious setting, actionable intelligence can prove essential in advancing a client’s case. This may involve a review and assessment of all relevant public information, but very often would also require targeted intelligence gathering from informed sources familiar with the situation and/or one’s adversary. Across a variety of matters, and with the support of our global networks, we work regularly with some of the world’s leading litigators, arbitrators and in-house counsel across a number of jurisdictions.
The drivers for our work in this area include:
Intelligence on the strategy, strength of position and likely intentions of an adversary or potential adversary;
Determining a party’s appetite for settlement and identifying the most promising routes to resolution; and
Identifying potential points of leverage which might motivate one’s adversary to settle or, in the case of a threatened suit, reconsider its intentions.
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Led by Simon Kingston, with over 20 years in the development sector, this service equips philanthropies and development funders to operate effectively in complex environments.
See the Intelligence for Development website for more information
A GMTL Advisory Affiliate
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As public development funding recedes and the global financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals widens, philanthropic capital plays an increasingly decisive role in addressing systemic challenges. Deploying that capital responsibly – particularly in fragile, high-risk or institutionally fragmented environments – requires rigorous independent verification and strategic oversight.
Built on GMTL’s established commercial intelligence capabilities, this service applies disciplined investigative methodologies and trusted on-the-ground source networks across low- and middle-income countries to philanthropic capital deployment. We provide insight that extends beyond sponsor reporting and official channels, enabling confident, defensible funding decisions.
Our work strengthens governance, protects institutional reputation and enhances the effectiveness of philanthropic capital across the full funding lifecycle.
Key focus areas include:
Partner Due Diligence & Independent Verification – Validation of leadership integrity, operational delivery capability and financial accountability prior to funding commitments
On-the-Ground Intelligence – Direct-source insight into local dynamics, stakeholder credibility and implementation track record
Strategic Mapping of Aligned Funders and Facilitation of Credible Co-Investment Relationships
Reputational Risk Monitoring & Early Warning – Identification of corruption exposure, governance weaknesses and emerging threats
Country & Regional Funding Intelligence – Analysis of political, regulatory and donor landscapes shaping programme viability and scalability
We work discreetly alongside trustees, investment committees and executive leadership to ensure philanthropic capital is deployed with confidence, integrity and measurable impact – even in the most complex and fast-moving operating environments.
For more information see the Intelligence for Development website.
Core Team
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Before founding GMTL, he was a partner at a leading London-based intelligence company, and has worked as a special adviser to the Irish Prime Minister and a strategy consultant at No. 10 Downing Street, HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office.
He is a specialist with considerable experience in aerospace, defence and energy and has spent over a decade providing strategic advice to global companies.
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Gordon is the co-founder and Global Managing Director of GMTL. A practitioner of business intelligence for nearly 20 years, his work cuts across a variety of sectors and disciplines, with an emphasis on transactional and strategic intelligence mandates for investors in both the private and public markets.
He also works closely with corporate clients and outside counsel on both transactional and contentious matters. Gordon began his career practicing corporate law in New York and London with a leading Wall Street firm. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law and is a licensed attorney in the State of New York.
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Prior to GMTL, Frits served as an executive board member responsible for corporate strategy and business development for a large FMCG company.
He has extensive experience in sourcing and executing global M&A transactions and providing strategic advice to Fortune 500 companies.
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Ian is former senior UK diplomat and head of security at Shell where he was responsible for cyber security, crisis and risk management.
He has substantial corporate intelligence experience and lectures frequently at board level on risk management, intelligence and cyber security issues in the UK and US.
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Charles began his career as a City lawyer in London and Tokyo and then spent over 20 years in industry comprising legal, M&A, business development and government affairs roles with both large multinationals and smaller entrepreneurial businesses. He has an MA in Law from Cambridge University.
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George has worked in the Middle East, in both the shipping and technology sector, and now leads affiliate management and report construction for GMTL.
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Simon brings over 20 years' experience serving organisations in the development sector at the highest levels. He founded the Global Development Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates, where he subsequently led the wider Social Impact and Education sector team.
Simon leads GMTL's Intelligence for Development service, combining his extensive development sector network with GMTL's global intelligence capabilities to help funders navigate complex environments and maximise their impact.
Advisory Board
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Sir Michael is a former UK Defence Secretary with 30 years of senior political and business experience, serving in four British Cabinets, and as non-executive director on City and commercial boards.
Michael is Chairman of Aberdeen Standard Investcorp Infrastructure Partners and Deputy Chairman of Genel Energy Plc and Nova Innovation Ltd.
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Patrick was formerly head of Asia at Rolls-Royce, and led the team of regional presidents, responsible for geographic strategy, business development and political risk.
His earlier career began with Jardine Matheson and spans business, diplomacy and cultural relations, with extensive experience in Asia. Patrick has also held various external roles, board positions and advisory appointments.
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Michael is a distinguished author and historian, a regular contributor to various newspapers and other publications.
He has also taught at Oxford, the LSE and Stanford University.
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Alberto is a former investment banker with Rothschild and Credit Suisse serving in London, Zurich and Milan.
He executed a large number of M&A projects for large and mid-size corporates in Italy and Southern Europe, and has more recently headed business development and international sales at a large Italian industrial company.
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Dirk is a veteran EU/EEA corporate immigration lawyer with extensive experience working with corporate clients and High Net Worth Individuals.
He brings these skills to GMTL clients looking for advice on litigation support and European due diligence.
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Mathula is a former Zimbabwean opposition leader and expert on Sub-Saharan Africa.
He travels widely and is well placed to assist GMTL on projects across the region, especially with his high-level links in South Africa.
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Marceline is originally from Cote d’Ivoire and is GMTL’s expert on West African matters. She is well versed in the politics, business and regulatory dynamics of the region and has advised on transactions in the mining, consumer goods and infrastructure sectors.
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Brent Clark has had a distinguished career in the Australian military followed by senior industry positions. Most recently he was head of the Australian Defence Industry Association.
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Dr Agarwal is a senior energy executive with nearly four decades of experience overseeing multi-billion dollar projects in the global oil and gas industry, including in North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He most recently served as President of ConocoPhillips Canada where he specialised in strategic planning, full cycle P&L management, and innovation.
His global network and proven ability to align commercial strategy with evolving climate and policy frameworks make him a valuable strategic partner to clients seeking clarity and confidence in high-stakes decision-making.
