Alex is a senior political and strategic board-level advisor to multinational companies with interests in the Middle East. A former diplomat, Alex has advised major multinational companies with significant operations in the region on their political engagement strategy, while also giving board-level advice to AIM-listed companies with local joint-venture relationships. Alex served in the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi from 2004–2007 and has been a regular visitor to the UAE since then, developing extensive relationships and a profound knowledge and understanding of the subtleties of politics and the wider commercial environment. Alex founded Montclair in 2009 and has worked for a range of clients in the UK, the UAE and beyond on issues including direct investment, political and business development strategy and crisis management, He is a UK national and graduate of Edinburgh University.