Sovereign Strategy has signed up John Gilchrist, the former Director, communications and strategic planning at the Dubai Financial Services Authority and the corporate planner at the London Stock Exchange at the time of the ‘Big Bang’. Based in Dubai, but a frequent traveller to Europe, Gilchrist will help with Sovereign Strategy’s client delivery and drive for new business in the Gulf.
Gilchrist is a capital markets expert most recognised for his extensive policy work and experience in the field of European payment and securities settlement systems; he was a member of the Giovannini Group set up to advise the European Commission on securities clearing and settlement.
John spent the early part of his career as an engineer and management accountant, working for Rolls Royce, International Computers Limited and STC Telecommunications Plc before focusing on the capital markets. His diverse career has formed the basis for his extensive multi-sector experience in strategic positioning and troubleshooting, comprising strategic and tactical planning, governance, stakeholder communication and handling, and improving organisational efficiency, competitiveness and cost effectiveness.
Sovereign Strategy Managing Director Rory O’Neill said: “This is a real coup for Sovereign. John will be a tremendous asset to the firm. He’s one of those people who convinces through sheer intellect. We’re about to convert a lot more new business in the Gulf, and John is perfect to help service those contracts and generate new business.
“As well as being one of the smartest men I’ve ever met, he’s also a very nice guy.”
Gilchrist has built a reputation in boardrooms across the world, and famously conducted an hour-long interview with President Bill Clinton via satellite in front of 400 business leaders at the International Leaders Summit held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2005.
Gilchrist said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Sovereign Strategy in the Gulf; they are experts in their field. A lot of the stakeholder work they do fits strongly with my interests, and they have a fabulous track record of working with clients with an interest in the financial markets, such as the City of London and Bloomberg.”
