A Career in Strategic Intelligence

Strategic intelligence professionals play a pivotal role in helping clients make informed, risk-aware decisions—particularly in high-stakes or opaque environments. Whether supporting pre-transaction due diligence, uncovering hidden risks, or providing political and regulatory insight, this career requires intellectual curiosity, discretion, and analytical rigour.

WHAT IS STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE

Working in strategic intelligence means gathering, analysing, and interpreting complex information to support clients across sectors such as private equity, sovereign wealth funds, law firms, and multinational corporations.

Assignments are typically international in scope and may include:

Corporate Intelligence & Due Diligence:

> Assessing companies, executives, and markets to identify reputational, regulatory, or financial red flags that may not be apparent through conventional means.

Pre-Transaction Risk Assessment:

> Supporting M&A transactions by evaluating the integrity, background, and commercial standing of acquisition targets.

Political & Regulatory Insight:

> Analysing political risk, policy shifts, and regulatory dynamics that may affect an investment, expansion, or ongoing operation.

Source-Based Intelligence Gathering:

> Conducting discreet human-sourced inquiries to supplement open-source research, particularly in jurisdictions with limited transparency.

KEY ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS

Strategic intelligence roles are intellectually demanding and often fast-paced.

Professionals who succeed in this field typically bring:

> Investigative Mindset: A natural curiosity and ability to pursue leads, uncover hidden information, and distinguish signal from noise.

> Analytical and Writing Skills: The ability to synthesise large volumes of complex information into clear, actionable, and client-ready reports.

> Cultural and Regional Fluency: Insight into local business, political, and regulatory environments—especially in emerging markets.

> Language Proficiency: Strong English writing is essential, while regional language skills (e.g., Arabic, Bahasa, Mandarin, Russian, etc) are a major asset.

> Professional Discretion: Integrity, judgement, and the ability to handle sensitive client matters with the utmost confidentiality.

> Stakeholder Confidence: Comfort engaging with clients, briefing findings, and responding to nuanced or challenging queries.

Career Paths

ENTERING THE INDUSTRY

Entry level analyst hires are typically Master’s graduates with academics in:

> International Relations or International Affairs; Regional Studies (e.g., China Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Russian & Eurasian Studies); Modern Languages; Political Science; Intelligence & Security Studies; History; Law; Development or Area Studies

Experienced professionals often transition from:

> Government (diplomacy, intelligence, law enforcement); Academia (specialising in international affairs, political risk, or area studies); Strategy or Political Risk Consulting; Diplomatic Service or Civil Service; Journalism (especially investigative or foreign affairs reporting); Legal Sector (especially litigation support or cross-border investigations); Military, Intelligence Services, or Law Enforcement; Think Tanks or International NGOs. Note: Prior fieldwork experience in emerging markets, high-risk jurisdictions, or regulated industries is highly valued.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Transferable skills:

> Analytical thinking and structured problem solving; Open-source intelligence (OSINT) and human-source intelligence (HUMINT) techniques and investigative research; Stakeholder communication and brief writing; Client and stakeholder management; Network building and discreet outreach; Project management under time and information constraints.

Knowledge developed:

> Industry-specific dynamics (e.g., energy, defence, finance); Geopolitical risk and regulatory landscapes; Investment lifecycle (pre-transaction to post-event analysis); Due diligence and reputational risk frameworks; Intelligence collection, vetting and validation methods; Strategic analysis and scenario planning.

EXIT ROUTES

Future career options outside of intelligence might include: 

> Asset management or private equity; Geopolitical risk; Government; Law; In-house intelligence/investigations at multinationals or NGOs; Management consulting, including setting up your own consulting firm.

What to Expect

A DAY IN THE LIFE

There is no typical day—only a set of core disciplines that repeat across different briefs.

The role sits at the intersection of research, judgment, and communication.

Below is an illustrative example of how a day might unfold.

Morning
An analyst begins the day reviewing a new brief from a private equity client looking to invest in a Southeast Asian logistics firm. The analyst scopes out the target company’s background, maps the shareholding structure, and screens for any links to politically exposed persons or recent litigation.

Late Morning
Time is spent sourcing discreet insights—perhaps contacting trusted local interlocutors or briefing a field researcher on what to verify. The focus might be on assessing the reputation of the CEO, the strength of client relationships, or the political exposure of major contracts.

Afternoon
The analyst turns to another project already underway—a reputational review of a senior hire for a multinational. This involves synthesizing findings into a clear, structured memo: credible allegations are flagged, benign issues are contextualised, and unknowns are acknowledged.

End of Day
A quick client call to discuss preliminary findings. The analyst walks through initial takeaways and outlines lines of inquiry for the next stage. As always, the goal is to help the client make an informed decision—quietly, and without disruption.

EXAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS

> Energy: Investigated regulatory barriers delaying approvals for a wind project.

> Healthcare: Assessed macro-level risks facing foreign investment in the cosmetics sector for a private equity client.

> Data Centres: Analysed political and regulatory dynamics surrounding data centre investments.

> Green Energy: Market-entry intelligence for an oil & gas major entering the green space.

> Cybersecurity: Due diligence into a techology vendor and its key partners.

> Consumer Goods: Pre-deal assessment of a company’s operations, supply chain, and political ties.

> Mining: Integrity due diligence on a mining project.

> Whisky: Strategic analysis of distribution channels and customer relationships for a potential acquisition.

> Energy: Policy insights for an investment fund installing EV charging systems.

> Cosmetics: Competitor intelligence and customer relationship mapping in the aesthetics sector.

> Financial Services: Background review on a recently convicted investment executive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is strategic intelligence?
Strategic intelligence is discreet, human-sourced research and analysis, often used to inform decisions around acquisitions, partnerships, leadership hires, or market entry. It focuses on what is not easily found online—reputation, political exposure, business practices, and networks of influence.

Is this the same as compliance or OSINT?
No. While complementary to compliance and open-source research, strategic intelligence often goes further—using a network of trusted sources to provide insight into individuals and companies where public information is limited, unclear, or unreliable.

What kind of clients use this work?
Clients include private equity firms, hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, multinational corporations, and occasionally law firms or NGOs. The common thread is the need to reduce uncertainty around high-stakes decisions.

Is this legal and ethical?
Yes. All work is conducted in accordance with applicable laws and industry best practices. Analysts do not conduct surveillance, hack accounts, or use deceptive means. The work is professional, discreet, and rooted in open-source and human intelligence methods.

What backgrounds do people come from?
Many analysts have prior experience in diplomacy, journalism, investigations, academia, or government. Others come from consulting or legal backgrounds. What matters most is curiosity, strong judgment, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly.

Is this desk-based research or fieldwork?
Most analysts are desk-based but may brief or manage local field researchers. They act as investigators, editors, and advisors—assembling and interpreting inputs into a form clients can act on.

Is language ability essential?
It depends on the region. Analysts covering specific countries often work in local languages. But excellent English writing remains essential, regardless of other skills.

Can people transition into this field?
Yes—if they have the right skill set. Analysts need excellent writing, professional discretion, and sound judgment. Some firms will train the right individual, particularly if they bring deep regional or sectoral knowledge.

Think This Work Is for You?

To start your career in Strategic Intelligence, reach out to: Sam Dakin, Managing Director.

Or review and apply to our latest roles here: Careers