Laurence leads S&P Global's Country Risk regional team for Europe/CIS, directing analysis and forecasting of political and violent risks, including geopolitical and global themes, and their impacts on the business operational environment. 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; he is responsible for maintaining and developing expert in-country source networks and methodological rigour in our regional forecasting. Previously, he led the IHS Markit (now part of S&P Global) Latin America team. Before joining S&P Global, Laurence 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 has lectured politics and international relations for several years, including at the 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.

Laurence holds a Ph.D in Politics (University of London), and speaks fluent Spanish and intermediate Brazilian Portuguese.