The Key Risk Consulting Asia Team

Robert Youill

Executive Director

Robert Youill is the founder and Executive Director of Key Risk Consulting Asia

From 2008 to 2017 he was a Senior Managing Director in the Global Risk and Investigations practice of FTI Consulting with responsibility for China and Korea, where he specialised in conducting complex investigative assignments involving brand integrity, fraud or corruption, business intelligence and due diligence investigations, asset searching, and other risk consulting services.

Robert is a highly qualified and experienced risk and investigations expert with over 35 years of senior-level experience in investigations and risk consulting, and has extensive expertise in corporate strategies for the protection of intellectual property (IP) and brands, integration of IP and brand protection within enterprise risk management, effective protection against counterfeiting, investigation of complex corporate fraud, asset searches, due diligence and security and asset protection.

Prior to FTI Consulting, from 1998 to 2008 Robert was the Regional Anti-Piracy Enforcement Director for the International Federation of Phonographic Industries, where he combated IP theft and counterfeiting, fraudulent transactions, corporate due diligence and designing compliance programmes across the Asia Pacific region. He was responsible for the neutralisation of many multi-jurisdictional criminal-counterfeiting syndicates and undertook numerous risk assessment projects for the major global music companies.

From 1997 to 1998, he was General Manager of Hong Kong for Pinkerton, a global security and business intelligence company. He was responsible for designing and implementing a wide variety of risk solutions for multinational clients including, IP-related investigations, due diligence, and fraud investigation and asset protection solutions.

From 1974 to 1997, he served in the Hong Kong Police as a commanding officer, specialising in the investigation of organised crime syndicates, earning him numerous awards and commendations for his work. In 1997 he was the recipient of a distinguished service medal from Her majesty the Queen of England.

Robert has authored a large number of publications and is an accomplished speaker on the subject of business risk issues. He also specialises in developing and presenting private investigator training courses

Robert has earned his Bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Keele in England in 1977 and received a diploma in business administration from Wolsey Hall College, Oxford in 1993. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (“CFE”) a, Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (“CAMS”) Certified Protection Professional (“CPP”) with the American Society for Industrial Security, as well as a Graduate of the International Institute for Industrial Security (“IIPSA”). In addition to his native English, he speaks Cantonese.

KEVIN KWOK

REGIONAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR – CHINA

Kevin has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate investigations, risk consulting and intellectual property protection investigations. He has significant expertise in conducting a broad range of investigative projects in the Asia Pacific Region, including numerous due diligence, corruption and fraud related issues for a wide range of multinational companies across various industries.

Kevin began his investigation career in 1999 as a Hong Kong Government law enforcement officer working within the Independent Commission Against Corruption, where he was engaged in the investigation and detection of complex corruption and fraud offences within both the public and private sectors.

In 2006, he joined the International Federation for the Phonographic Industries as a Project Leader where he was instrumental in the investigation and eradication of multi-national copyright piracy groups operating out of Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.

Kevin subsequently joined a global consulting firm in Hong Kong as their Regional Due Diligence Manager. In this role, he assisted the firm in establishing its due diligence team and was responsible for supervising all due diligence matters across Asia. In addition, he was the lead investigation manager in various corruption and fraud investigations, as well as other compliance related assignments.

In 2014, Kevin joined FTI Consulting as a Senior Consultant in the Global Risk and Investigations Practice where he specialized in conducting complex investigative assignments involving brand integrity, business intelligence, fraud and corruption, additionally he was the lead case manager for a large scale multi-national due diligence project for a Fortune 50 company. In this role Kevin was responsible for the day to day management of in excess of 80 ongoing case matters per month.

In mid-2017, Kevin was employed as a senior manager by a large China based Intellectual Property Service Company where he was responsible for supervising a significant number of investigative personal across the PRC, and delivering results for clients within a diverse range of business risk issues

Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science Studies from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and is a graduate of the International Compliance Association (ICA).

Kevin is a native Cantonese and Mandarin speaker. In addition, he speaks fluent English.

AMANDA CHONG

REGIONAL CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Amanda has over 17 years of crisis management and communication experience for leading brands across Asia and the Middle East including the hospitality, tourism, F&B, attractions, lifestyle and entertainment industries. ​ During her career Amanda has developed a deep understanding that crisis communication is a sub-specialty of the public relations profession designed to protect and defend an individual, company, or organization to manage a crisis, navigate market disruptions, articulate their brand, stake a competitive position, or preserve their permission to operate. Drawing upon significant depth of industry expertise and interdisciplinary experience gained over many years in hands-on situations she has helped clients by providing  strategic counsel to management teams in critical situations where company enterprise value is at risk ,helped  companies protect reputations with delivery of credible and consistent messages to priority stakeholders, offered a unique capability to help clients navigating the critical intersection between market forces and public policy, developed strategies to help enhance employee understanding of the business strategy and build leadership credibility during transformation. Amanda possess significant experience in the landscape of, advertising and promotions, digital and traditional marketing, marketing partnerships, media relations, public relations, sponsorships, event management, social media and corporate social responsibility programmes . In her career she has assisted many multi-national corporations prepare for and respond to their crises communication needs. In addition, she has appeared as a guest speaker and panelist at industry forums  marketing and women empowerment workshops.

Unlike many crisis communication specialists who leave behind the business world when they  enter the strategic consulting environment Amanda remains involved in developing and building business experience through her Kuala Lumpur based company- Gray Matters Consultancy- an integrated marketing communication company that is dedicated to helping clients create sustainable business growth through meaningful and effective marketing, branding and public relations strategies and campaigns.

Amanda has a Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Management, from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia and speaks English, Malay, Hokkien and basic Arabic.

ARIEF PRASTYA

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR – INDONESIA

Arief has more than 14 years of experience in Investigation and Risk Management Consulting in Indonesia. He started his career in 2004 as a Senior Investigator with a local investigation company before moving to a more senior management position in 2007. During this time Arief worked a wide variety of investigations, including brand integrity, fraud, theft, due diligence and supply chain issues.  In 2013 he was employed as the Research Coordinator in PT PG Indonesia where he specialized in conducting bribery and fraud investigations, corporate intelligence, anti-counterfeiting strategies’, investigative due diligence investigations and risk assessments for multi-national clients operating within sensitive areas of the country.

During his career Arief has worked for both multi-national corporations and major local businesses across many parts of the country with particular focus on the pharmaceutical, automotive, fast moving consumer goods, energy and insurance industries

Arief enjoys strong support within the business risk and investigation community and over the years he has worked successfully with government and enforcement agencies across many parts of Indonesia, including within a number of high risk locales.

Arief graduated with a diploma in engineering from the National Institute Sains & Technology Jakarta Indonesia, and has received training from the Indonesian Police force in relation to investigation standards for the private investigation industry

Arief is fluent is Bahasa and English languages.

TONY HEADLEY

Law Enforcement, Maritime Security, and Surveillance Management Lead Consultant

Tony has a career spanning more than 40 years in the United Kingdom armed forces, law enforcement, and protective security.  These various roles included complex criminal investigations, surveillance, training delivery, disaster victim identification, large event security management, maritime security and high-risk asset protective security.

During a 23 year career in the British Metropolitan Police Force he was engaged in various highly active law enforcement roles, which included deployment in tactical policing response to civil disorder and large scale event and people movement; counter terrorism planning and incident response; as well as a key role in developing and running covert surveillance operations against organized crime targets, and monitoring suspects and offenders involved  in highly sensitive criminal activities. During his final years in the service, he was engaged in numerous successful investigations into high-profile organized crime murders, as part of the New Scotland Yard murder squad.

After leaving the police service, Tony’s career turned to the delivery of protective security in Singapore, including ship security in which he is a trainer under STCW 2010 (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping) and the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) code. He is highly experienced in high-value asset protective security, having been responsible for post security at the British High Commission in Singapore for three years, which saw him performing a wide range of duties involving physical security of premises, personnel vetting, as well as risk and site security assessments for personnel and visiting dignitaries.

Tony has a wide range of skills in training delivery, having been a trainer in the military, a police and detective trainer, and a qualified ISPS trainer in areas such as anti-piracy, theft, and maritime safety. His personal skills range from investigation management, financial and digital investigation, surveillance and intelligence gathering. He is a certified close protection operative and qualified financial investigator.

MICHAEL CAVANAGH

REGIONAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR – THAILAND

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Mike worked for 31 years for UK Customs and Excise before transferring to the UK Serious Crime Agency (SOCA, now the National Crime Agency [NCA]) at its inception, where he then worked for 5 years, and became the agency’s first SE Asia Country Manager, based at the British Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand as Regional Manager for the Mekong Sub Region. On retirement from SOCA, Mike took up an advisory role for the UK Border Agency in Bangkok before moving into the private sector engaged in the supply of specialist equipment and software to law enforcement and government agencies.

During his career in UK Customs as a Senior Investigation Officer, Mike was responsible for the planning and management of major domestic and international operations utilising intelligence, surveillance and intervention resources, from which he gained extensive experience in intelligence gathering, fraud investigation, surveillance, analytics, and a vast knowledge of border control regimes and controlled deliveries in numerous jurisdictions, in part in Asia and also during a five year deployment as UK Liaison Officer in Southern Cone Region South America, based in Buenos Aires covering Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

During his time based in Bangkok, Thailand, where he was responsible for Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, and Singapore, Mike gained in depth knowledge of the Indochina region, managing numerous successful operations, interventions and intelligence development projects, in cooperation with law enforcement agencies around the region. His considerable experience in compiling and conducting operational, tactical and strategic risk assessments were a key to success in these activities. He has extensive experience in illegal drug enforcement and fraud work in SE Asia.

Mike has a comprehensive understanding of current security risks and trends within the region, and a proven track record in delivering international technical assistance projects and training in SE Asia, India (UNODC), and South America, most recently as a trainer on a major UNODC Border Management and Training project. He also provides technical assistance in assessing, delivering and evaluating training projects.

Throughout his 20 years professional experience in international cooperation on criminal justice matters, and in particular during 12 years working in SE Asia, Mike has established a far-reaching personal and professional network with Senior Law Enforcement Commanders, Ministry of Public Security Officials, as well as relationships with commercial partners and end user clients, around the region.

Mike is currently an independent consultant providing advice, training and investigation services to agencies and companies around the ASEAN region.

STEVE K LEE

REGIONAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR – SOUTH KOREA

Steve has a career spanning more than 40 years in the US military and corporate security, before founding his own consultancy service. Steve has a wide range of experience in the Asia region, having worked in corporate security, strategic planning, and investigative roles with Fortune 100 corporations in the electronics and automotive industries.

In the corporate field his responsibilities included running security operations in the Asia region; strategic planning; corporate investigations; developing business intelligence; developing investigation strategies brand and intellectual property protection issues; providing security and investigation training to senior executives and regional leadership; crisis management; and safeguarding personnel and facilities around the region.

Prior to moving into the corporate world, Steve served in the US army and Department of Defense. Before retiring he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, and served in multiple roles focused on the Asia region, chief among which was as Senior Operations Officer with the US Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, directing military intelligence operations in support of U.S. military interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

Steve is the founder and managing partner of a Seoul based company providing investigation services in brand and intellectual property protection, as well as gathering and analyzing intelligence for regional security partners. He holds a Masters of Arts in Public Administration and is a Certified Protection Professional.

JOHN J SHANAHAN

REGIONAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR – HONG KONG

John has over 32 years of experience in Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Operations Department, tackling corruption, corporate fraud, money laundering and associated crimes. Prior to joining the ICAC he was a police officer in the UK and spent the majority of his career in the Criminal Investigation Department. In the ICAC, John was a Principal Investigator in charge of investigations and gained extensive experience investigating both private and public sector corruption, including areas of police corruption and election rigging, both in Hong Kong and internationally. He has conducted investigations relating to anti-money laundering (AML) and asset tracing involving major corruption-based frauds, and has given evidence in courts in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, the Channel Islands, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, and the USA. His considerable experience also includes conducting undercover operations.

During his final seven years with the ICAC, John was Director of Training and Professional Development, and was responsible for all aspects of training within the ICAC, both locally and overseas, from recruit level through to senior command courses, including specialist investigative training, financial investigations, law, ethics and integrity, and he also had overall responsibility for confrontation management and tactical firearms training. John was also responsible for writing and updating the internal regulatory regimes that set out the operational standards of conduct for ICAC officers, and their compliance with the law, as well as Ethics Manager for the ICAC intranet ethics resources site.

John has lectured on corruption and ethics to the Hong Kong Police Junior, Intermediate and Senior Command Courses, and on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Integrity Investigations and Corruption Courses at the International Law Enforcement Academy, Bangkok. He was also a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Working Group on Money Laundering Typologies and was a member of the FATF Project Team that published “Laundering the Proceeds of Corruption”, a FATF publication dealing with grand corruption and Politically Exposed Persons.

John currently provides independent investigation services and advice on anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, ethics and good governance. He is the recipient of the ICAC Medal for Meritorious Service and the United Kingdom Police Medal for Exemplary Service.

KENNETH WRIGHT

REGIONAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR – EUROPE

Kenneth is an experienced intellectual property professional, with more than 20 years experience working with the European Union and various government authorities in over 70 countries, to protect and enforce intellectual property rights, participating as a subject matter expert or project leader in multiple international projects. He has a detailed understanding of tools to analyze strengths and weaknesses in, and formulate, legislation, policy initiatives, national strategies, guidance to enforcement institutions, training needs, capacity building, and awareness campaigns. He has a deep knowledge of forensics investigation with regards counterfeiting and intellectual property protection and is currently an adviser to the Danish Patent and Trademark Office.

As well as being a skilled project manager, intellectual property strategist, conference organizer and trainer he has, together with many years working in the public and private sector, a background with the Hong Kong Police in intelligence operations and investigations against narcotics and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, working alongside the World and Asia region’s leading law enforcement bodies.

Following a move into the private sector, Kenneth worked in the phonographic industry, combating counterfeiting through investigations, intelligence gathering and forensic analysis. As well as his investigative and organizational skill-sets, Kenneth is also an accomplished trainer and during this time became head of the Interpol Intellectual Property Crime Training Sub-Group.

Kenneth holds a Master of Science in Information Security from the University of London and is a member of the European Union Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. He is also trained in computer forensics, and intelligence gathering and analysis.

Dr Loi Kheng Min

Dr KM Loi has a mechanical engineering background with post graduate management degrees (MBA & DBA) and has ten years of hands-on working technical experience in the manufacturing environment covering food & beverages, chemical process, medical devices, rubber and plastic, metal industries, serving in the laboratory, quality assurance, manufacturing and general management functions.

In addition, KM has more than fifteen years of management skill in quality consulting, training and auditing with wide exposure to various industries in the context of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SA 8000, OHSAS 18001, ISO 13485 & ISO/TS 16949 certifications and good manufacturing practices. Over this time KM has expanded his experience and knowledge into Corporate Social Responsibility, Accountability, Ethics and Integrity issues.

KM is an ISO 37001 anti-bribery management systems industry expert who has been appointed as the Vice Chair of ISO/PC 278, a Project Committee which is responsible for the development of ISO 37001:2016 – Anti-Bribery Management System standard.  In addition, he is also a PECB Certified 37001:2016 tutor and lead auditor. He has been involved in ISO standard development since 1995 and represented Malaysia as expert in ISO/TC 176 (ISO 9001-QMS); ISO/TC 207 (ISO 14001-EMS); ISO/TMB/WG Social Responsibility (ISO 26000).

With his long-standing history of anti-corruption work, he has been appointed as Deputy President (2015-2016) and Secretary-General (2012-2014) of Transparency International Malaysia as well as Vice Chair of UNCAC Coalition (2014-2017).

KM has a number of qualifications within the anti-bribery and good governance arena, including:

  • PECB Certified ISO 31000 Lead Risk Manager
  • PECB Certified and Data Protection Officer
  • ISO/PC 278 Vice-Chair / Malaysian Representative
  • ISO/TC 207 (EMS) Expert / Malaysian Representative
  • ISO/TC 176 (QMS) Expert / Malaysian Representative
  • ISC W Member of Occupational Safety & Health

ASHOK SARANGAPANI

STRATEGIC CONSULTANT, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, FINANCE & ANTI-BRIBERY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR

 

Ashok is a governance, risk, ethics, and compliance professional, with more than 20 years of extensive experience in the oil, energy, automotive, and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. He has worked extensively in regional roles with overall accountability in governance, risk management and compliance for 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

He is currently the managing partner of his own Malaysia-based governance and anti-bribery management consulting business.

Ashok has direct experience in the design, implementation, launch and audit of Anti-Bribery Management Systems in line with ISO 37001:2016 standards, and is adept in conducting ethics and compliance risk assessments and providing mitigation strategies. He also has considerable experience in leading and responding to complex investigations relating to financial fraud, corruption and malpractice.

Ashok is a PECB Certified Trainer and ISO 37001 (Anti-Bribery Management Systems) Lead Auditor, who conducts compliance training and ISO certification programs. He was among the select few participants in the prestigious United Nations “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” Program and is an alumni of the International Anti-Corruption Academy, Austria.

He is a fellow member of Institute of Management Accountants of India, a Certified Financial Crimes Specialist (CFCS) from ACFS USA, a Certified Ethics & Compliance Professional-International (CECP-I) from SCCE USA, a Governance Risk and Compliance Auditor (GRCA) USA, and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) India.  Ashok holds B.Sc. in Mathematics.

SHARADA KRISHNAN

Country Manager, Malaysia

Sharada has more than 25 years of experience in corporate executive management, governance, policy development, records management, and business processes development, having worked in large corporations in  both Malaysia and overseas. She also has extensive experience in investigation management.

In the field of investigation management, she has wide experience in conducting inquiries into a variety of areas that encompass IP protection, corporate fraud and corruption related activities both within Malaysia and around the South-east Asian region, direct experience which she has applied in consulting projects with clients seeking to implement protective processes and compliance related functions, or looking upskill their staff in these areas.

Sharada’s expertise in providing business solutions is complimented by skills in relationship building and forming partnerships with key stakeholders, while identifying business needs to determine and embed required processes and practices.

Sharada is trained in the areas of Malaysian Employment Act with Malaysian Employer’s Federation (MEF), is a HRDF Certified Trainer and has also attended many other management courses.

She holds a Bachelor Degree in Applied Management from the University of Ballarat, Australia (now known as Federation University) and holds a Post-graduate certificate in Project Management from the RMIT University of Melbourne, Vietnam.  Sharada speaks and writes English and bahasa Malaysia, speaks fluent Tamil, Malayalam and has an understanding of Vietnamese.

CHRISTINA WANG

KEY RISK CONSULTING ASIA LEGAL ADVISOR & PROJECT LEADER (CHINA)

                     (SENIOR PARTNER @ UNIVERSAL LAW OFFICE) 

Christina Wang is a PRC lawyer based in Shanghai providing Key Risk Consulting Asia with legal counsel and project oversight services in China. She also provides legal counsel for our clients across a wide range of litigation support, regulatory and training projects. She is currently a Senior Partner at Universal Law Offices based in Shanghai.

Christina specializes in IPR matters, corporate, regulatory investigation, foreign direct investment, as well as intellectual property, commercial law issues. She has advised many local and overseas multinational corporations, including Fortune 100 corporations across a wide range of industries including pharmaceuticals, fast moving consumer goods, fashion industry, furniture and home appliances, construction, hotels, food and beverage, auto motive industry amongst others.

Christina has extensive experience in the complex legal aspects of corporate operations in China, including drafting and reviewing commercial contracts, advising on regulatory enquiries, as well as training our client employees in respect of regulatory issues.

Christina as been a fully qualified lawyer for more than 12 years. Prior to becoming a Senior Partner at Universal Law Offices, she worked with a leading European law firm, an American NYSE listed business risk consulting and investigation company – where she was responsible for the management of its captive law firm, and a Sino-European IPR law firm. Her extensive experiences have allowed her to provide her clients with comprehensive IP legal services, including formulating intellectual property protection strategy, trademark filing and portfolio management, customs liaison including recordal procedures, investigations, anti-counterfeiting and raid actions, online infringement, criminal and administrative prosecutions, civil remedies, law enforcement liaison as well as transactions and agreement preparation.

Christina has participated as a speaker in numerous IPR industry conferences and forums and has recently co-authored a comprehensive article for the Thompson Reuters Practical Law series entitled “Conducting Effective Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement in China

Christina obtained her Bachelor of Law from Shanghai University, and her Master Degree of Law from Tongji University. In 2008, she became a member of the Shanghai PRC Bar Association

Christina is fluent in both written and spoken Chinese and English.

Christina can be contacted directly at either

christina.wang@yujunlawfirm.com or christina .wang@keyriskconsultingasia.com