Global Data Risk (GDR) Acquires Highly Specialized Risk Consultancy, Sanctions Strategy, Inc. (SSI) To Further Enhance Its Sanctions Management and Resolution Capabilities

Global Data Risk LLC (GDR) today announced it has acquired Sanctions Strategy Inc. (SSI), an independent consultancy which manages and resolves issues related to US, UK and EU government sanctions, impacting individuals, banks and companies around the world.

With the support of GDR’s consulting and investigative teams, SSI’s experts will be responsible for providing risk management and sanctions resolution services to multiple industries impacted by global events from the Russia/Ukraine War to challenges in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and China. The team brings their breadth of combined expertise to corporations, high net worth individuals, government-regulated entities and financial institutions around the world.

Since the launch of GDR’s consultancy earlier this year, the firm has established an operational presence in more than 10 countries, providing a range of services to entities experiencing challenges, disputes and risks.

“Fostering transparency and inter-government dialogue for our clients has helped to mitigate significant sanctions related challenges and alleviate capital and inventory restrictions,” said John Bass, GDR President and former operational commander at the CIA. “Sanctions can be debilitating for entire supply chains. Our work often provides sensitive entities with the guidance needed to mitigate the risk of sanctions before it is too late. GDR is also one of the leading experts on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) with an emphasis on Russian and Middle Eastern challenges such as Hezbollah and other designated entities; integrating a strong sanctions practice bolsters our capabilities.”

GDR’s acquisition of SSI comes at a time when global businesses face increasing challenges associated with the risks of sanctions and regulatory actions often restricting supply chains and corporate growth. As the post globalized economy shows signs of fragmentation and balkanization, the advisory market continues to experience expansion, largely driven by increasing regulation, government enforcement and market vulnerability across a range of industry and corporate matters that include sanctions, insider threat, risk management, litigation and compliance.

Erik Laykin, GDR CEO and Managing Partner said, “Our clients who are often in active litigation, regulatory proceedings or capital events such as mergers & acquisitions, may encounter a horizon event looming in the shape of sanctions that can have severe consequences from a valuation perspective and often do not know where to turn to resolve or effectively manage these new risks. Sanctions Strategy provides clarity where it is needed most.”

Jelena Buraja, CEO of Rietumu Banka, the largest bank in Latvia, commented: “Since the world has faced new realities within the past year, financial institutions have a strong need for clear and objective advice to comply with legislation and sanctions. Global Data Risk has been an excellent partner for our bank.”

GDR client Kevin Carroll, Partner at Hughes Hubbard and Reed LLP in Washington DC added: “I’ve worked closely with Global Data Risk on complex and sensitive international matters. They are discrete, responsive, and have great judgment based upon their wide experience -- true professionals.”

On the future growth of Global Data Risk, Laykin added: “Organic growth is important to the firm as the nature of the work is highly specialized. Each client has unique challenges that enable us to scale in a steady and consistent manner. Bringing Sanctions Strategy into the mix was a no-brainer.”

ABOUT GDR

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in the historic financial core of New York City, Global Data Risk LLC (GDR) is an independent investigative consulting firm focused on risk in the information age. GDR specializes in the evaluation, protection and management of risk faced by organizations that rely on data, the life blood of the modern economy. From mitigating the impact of financial sanctions to critical M&A due diligence assignments, from opining on the internal controls of a multinational to providing winning expert testimony on a trade secret dispute, GDR is unique in that it provides unencumbered, objective analysis and actionable intelligence for senior management at the crossroads of data driven corporate challenges.

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