Laurence Allan, Ph.D.

Director and Head of Desk for Country Risk Europe and CIS, IHS Markit

Dr. Laurence Allan leads the IHS Markit Country Risk Europe and CIS team, including a regional intelligence team of in-country analysts and sources.

Since 2015, Dr. Allan has managed the Country Risk regional team for Europe/CIS research, leading analysis and assessment of political and violent risks and their impacts on the business operational environment across the region. He leads the Europe/CIS risk indicator and horizon scanning infrastructure, including using geospatial analysis and scenario modelling techniques. He has supported senior decision makers from diverse sectors on investment and operational issues across the region, including through delivery of bespoke sector and project level consultancy engagements. Previously, he led the IHS Markit Latin America team. Before joining IHS Markit, Dr. Allan was a research analyst at the UK Foreign Office, providing Latin America expertise and insights for UK government policy makers and diplomats, briefing senior officials and ministers, and working with external stakeholders. He previously taught politics and international relations, including at the Institute for the Study of the Americas (University of London) and the Royal College of Defence Studies (London). He has also worked on various projects - including on illegal drug policies, and effectiveness of public service provision - for non-profit organisations focused on Latin America and on Europe, including Transparency International, the Royal Society of Arts, and Amnesty International. He holds a Ph.D in Argentine Politics (University of London), and speaks fluent Spanish and intermediate Brazilian Portuguese.