Christopher Melville Email & Phone Number

Greater London, England, United Kingdom

A new advisory organisation focused on tackling growing societal and geopolitical divisions and conflict over natural resources

London, England, United Kingdom

Independent Africa-focused political and stakeholder risk advisory, presently focused on critical mineral supply chains and African carbon markets

London, United Kingdom

Sofala Partners is an Africa-focused advisory firm supporting clients participating in markets with high growth potential and development impact.

London, England, United Kingdom

Kina Advisory, Senior Associate (Apr 2020 - Feb 2022)Critical Resource, member of the senior advisory panel (Apr 2020 - Feb 2022)International Conflict and Security (INCAS) Senior Associate (Jan 2021 - Feb 2022)

London

Became a trusted advisor on political risk and strategic stakeholder management for business leaders across the West African operated and non-operated portfolio, our East Africa onshore developments and New Ventures business delivery team (onshore/offshore), consistently delivering high-impact, business-relevant analysis and advice to business teams, senior leaders and Execs Significantly improved the quality of investment decision making and pre-entry planning linked to >$100 million-worth of committed investments, advising on New Country Entry/Mergers and Acquisition decision making for ~20 jurisdictions and opportunities across Africa and South America Established a medium-term framework for managing non-technical and stakeholder risks across Tullow’s ~90kbpd portfolio through the development of Board-level Country Strategies for our key production and development businesses in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea Significantly enhanced senior-level awareness of political and stakeholder-related challenges across our portfolio through the establishment of Quarterly political risk reporting to the Exec and Board, creating new channels for non-technical communication between senior leadership and in-country Businesses Guided senior leaders in managing stakeholder challenges at critical moments of transition in Tullow’s business, including: a Ghana-CDI maritime boundary dispute that posed a material risk to Tullow's rights to operate the 250mmbbls TEN complex; and the repositioning of the 500mmbbls South Lokichar project in Kenya to enable JV partners and Kenya government to move ahead with commercial negotiations.

Led Africa consulting practice and introduced new approaches to evaluating and managing above-ground risk, managing and developing an extensive network of subject-matter/industry experts and strategic partnersSupported business development efforts that resulted in a more than 50% increase in consulting revenue year-on-yearProvided expert commentary in international and industry media, Menas Breakfast Briefings and third-party conferences

Led highly respected team of Africa analysts and consultants, growing our Africa consulting revenue by more than 40% over three years. Developed trusting relationships with clients across a diverse multinational client base, including oil and gas/mining majors, mid-caps and juniors; traditional and non-traditional investors; government relations, security and legal teams; lawyers, underwriters and hedge funds Consulted on political, operational and security risks in 12 countries in West and Central Africa with a focus on Congo (DRC), Angola, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Congo-Brazzaville

Produced incisive daily analysis and country reports on political, economic and security issues for fifteen sub-Saharan African countriesResearched and authored thematic reports on key issues and emerging trends, incl. France and Africa in the 21st Century; ‘Power-Sharing’ in post-conflict Côte d’Ivoire; US Security Interests in the Sahel; Implications of Commodities Boom in GabonDeveloped service-wide projects and contributions incl. World Bank Risk Project; Global Terrorism Index; In Focus 2004, 2005, 2006; Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index

Sourced and researched news-leads and wrote forward planning briefs on a wide range of international issues and current affairs, from Korean elections to Canadian parliamentary committees

Ma, African Studies

Graduated with distinction. Dissertation: elite survival strategies and resource dependency in post-Cold War Angola. Papers included.

Ba Hons, Modern History

Graduated from Balliol College with 2:1 Hons. Papers included: Nationalism and imperialism in Sub-Saharan Africa; Europe and the Wider.