Nalin is a seasoned business and finance professional with 39 years of experience in corporate and project finance across diverse infrastructure sectors globally. Over the course of his career, he held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most prominent financial and industrial institutions, representing the UK with deep reach into equity and debt capital markets across emerging and developed economies alike. Earlier in his career, he led investments at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, spanning sectors including synthetic fibres, cement, and electronics, and advised clients on project and corporate finance including IPO management at Bank of America’s Corporate Financial Services division. As a Senior Advisor to NorthStar Insights, Nalin brings an extensive network across the finance, banking, energy, and healthcare sectors with particular depth across China, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, to support clients navigating complex cross-border transactions and market entry.
Sadeq Alfardan is a Partner at NorthStar Insights, where he spearheads the firm's strategic communications offering. With over 18 years of experience spanning top-tier agency and in-house roles, Sadeq brings deep expertise in strategic communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across the GCC and beyond. His career spans leadership positions at Ogilvy, Grayling, Hill+Knowlton, and PwC, complemented by a distinguished stint with the EU Delegation to the State of Qatar giving him a rare combination of corporate, government, and multilateral communications experience. A recognised voice on EU-Gulf relations, Sadeq has advised governments, diplomatic missions, international organisations, and major corporates across the region.
As the Founder of NorthStar, Arth Malani sets the strategic direction for the firm, leveraging his deep expertise in emerging markets and political risk. Having advised on $325mn worth of deals, Arth has become a trusted partner for Fortune 500s and UK private equity firms seeking to mitigate risk and sharpen their communications. His main areas of expertise include political, policy and regulatory due diligence as well as financial communications. While he takes a rigorous approach to market analysis, he balances his professional life with a love for ABBA and an unsung enthusiasm for a karaoke night.
As a Senior Account Executive (MENA) at NorthStar Insights, Tala Karkanawi generates policy and regulatory intelligence across the Middle East and North Africa. Prior to NorthStar, she directed regional research at the MEA Institute, publishing analyses on nuclear escalation dynamics, Syrian post-war economic realignment, and Lebanon’s political economy through the MEA Institute and Dialogue Journal, with earlier work on legal and governance issues. She brings a legal foundation from NBCUniversal in corporate and competition law as well as extensive experience working with Public Policy Exchange - one of UK’s leading public policy events service.
Ahmed serves as the Senior Advisor to NorthStar Insights, bringing over 26 years of leadership experience in investment management and capital markets across the UAE and MENA region to the firm's institutional and family office clients. Prior to joining NorthStar, Ahmed was Head of Investment & Wealth Management at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), where he oversaw a 40% AUM growth to over AED 16 billion. in previous stints at EFG-Hermes and Citibank he was instrumental in structuring and launching numerous investment solutions, alongside managing Lipper award-winning mutual funds. He currently advises RootBridge Capital AG on GCC market entry and capital acquisition.
Wesley I. Romain is an Account Executive - East Asia at NorthStar Insights, focusing on geopolitical and investment risks, trade, technology, and supply chain resilience. He holds a BA in Southeast Asian Studies and International Relations from INALCO and an MA in International Affairs from King’s College London. Wesley bodes extensive experience in diplomacy, having served as Executive Assistant to the Ambassador of an ASEAN country. A native French speaker fluent in English, he also has working knowledge of Mandarin and Filipino. Outside work, he continues to refine his language skills to support his expertise in China’s evolving role in ASEAN.
Meghna is a Senior Account Executive at NorthStar Insights, specialising in geopolitical and security risk analysis with a regional focus on South Asia and the Asia-Pacific. She brings experience in corporate security and threat intelligence from her work at MitKat Advisory and Horizon Intelligence, where she supported clients through bespoke risk assessments and crisis communications. Previously, Meghna worked in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s South Asia department, gaining first-hand exposure to the region’s business environment and the regulatory challenges facing international stakeholders. She is bilingual in Hindi and English, with professional proficiency in French.
As Lead Asia Pacific Analyst at NorthStar Insights, Juliana R Montano oversees the firm's APAC research and manages client engagements across the region. She provides political risk analysis and strategic intelligence on markets spanning Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific, supporting businesses and investors as they navigate regulatory shifts and evolving trade dynamics. Complementing her academic foundation with hands-on experience in research, strategic communications, and consulting.
Steffen Ortiz is a North Africa Analyst at NorthStar Insights, specialising in geopolitical risk, supply chain resilience, and financial strategy within the Maghreb. He transforms complex global developments into actionable intelligence, helping clients across Asia and the GCC anticipate disruption and make confident strategic decisions. Steffen holds an MA in International Relations from King's College London's War Studies Department and a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of New Mexico.
Soojin Jang is a Senior Analyst within the East Asia Team at NorthStar. Her work focuses on the evolving role of South Korea, China and Japan in the world especially with regards to the emerging technologies sector. She has recently completed her MA in Korean–Chinese conference interpreting at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and hold a second MA from King’s College London. Prior to joining NorthStar, Soojin worked for Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London on evolving role of cyberwarfare in geopolitics.
Ziya Fitri supports marketing and business development at NorthStar Insights, bringing the firm’s vision to life through sharp visual storytelling and polished digital content. With a Bachelor’s in Business from Universitas Brawijaya and an MS in Entrepreneurship from the University of Washington (2025), her digital communications abilities have supported NorthStar amplify their presence in key business circles. Beyond her marketing work, she’s passionate about accessibility and empowering individuals with disabilities to thrive.
Haniva S Deanty is the Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Lead at NorthStar Insights, where she drives the firm's external positioning and client relationships across emerging markets. With a focus on delivering exceptional value in an era of heightened political instability. Haniva leads NorthStar's messaging, media outreach, and event partnerships, playing a central role in establishing the firm as a trusted voice in the advisory space. Prior to joining NorthStar, Haniva pursued a Master’s at King’s College London focusing on international relations and the changing landscape in the Asia Pacific.
