1. Having worked with Control Risks
in locations around the world,
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) hosted
events at the British Residence
to help launch the UK company’s
annual publication RiskMap.
There are many things to consider
when investing in an unfamiliar market.
Aside from the generic commercial
issues, there are certain regions that
require extra caution and focus. UK
headquartered company Control
Risks is a global risk consultancy that
specialises in helping organisations
to manage political, integrity and
security risks in complex or even hostile
environments. It also publishes an
annual document, called RiskMap, a
guide to business risk in the year ahead
which forecasts the major challenges
and opportunities of doing business
in some of the world’s most complex
environments.
Established in 1975, Control Risks was
created as a spin off from the insurance
broker Hogg Robinson. Independent
since 1980, the company has expanded
its range of services from specialist
crisis management to also cover political
risk analysis, corporate investigations
and security consultancy.
“We aim to support our clients though
the full life cycle of a project or
transaction, helping them to assess and
manage key risks they may face,” says
Nick Panes, General Manager at Control
Risks Mexico. “We focus on security,
political and integrity risks for our clients.
Perhaps the most obvious area is the
security of property, personnel and
business assets, including intellectual
property. However, understanding the
political climate in an overseas market
can be just as important, and allows
businesses to prepare for and take
advantage of political developments
and opportunities. Finally, protecting
our clients’ integrity, whether it be
from corruption or fraud-related risks,
ensures that the reputation they have
built does not suffer due to issues that
might arise in the course of pursuing a
new venture.”
Complete global coverage
Control Risks has global headquarters in
London, regional headquarters in Dubai,
Los Angeles and Singapore, and is
staffed by 2,000 people. Over the years,
the company has expanded its network
of offices, allowing it to provide on-the-
ground support across the world for its
domestic and multinational clients alike.
Having worked in Latin America since
its inception, in 1994, Control Risks
decided to establish a permanent
presence in Mexico City. Initially, the
company mostly worked with multi-
national organisations, but has since
grown its client base to include local
firms, including Mexican companies
seeking support for their own overseas
investments.
Secure in
the market
Fast facts
Company: Control Risks
Industry: Security & Business Risk
Target Market: Mexico
UKTI Services: Overseas Market
Introduction Service
www.controlrisks.com

2. Published July 2013
by UK Trade & Investment
© Crown Copyright
Helping you access
international markets
Doing business in another country
can be a challenge, so it’s good to
know that UK Trade Investment is
there to help you succeed.
Through a range of unique services,
including participation at selected
trade fairs, overseas missions
and providing bespoke market
intelligence, UK Trade Investment
can help you crack foreign markets
and quickly get to grips with
regulations and business practices
overseas.
UK Trade Investment’s Overseas
Market Introduction Service (OMIS)
is a flexible business tool, letting you
use the services of our trade teams,
located in our embassies, high
commissions and consulates across
the world, to benefit your business.
A service package could include:
• Market, sector advice
• Analysis of market entry strategies
• Support during overseas visits
• Identification of possible
business partners
UKTI was delighted to support
Control Risks in its investment
overseas.
To speak with an advisor
in the UK and begin your
own success story,
scan this code with
your smart phone
www.ukti.gov.uk
+44(0)20 7215 5000
UK Trade Investment is the
Government Department that helps
UK-based companies succeed in
the global economy. We also help
overseas companies bring their
high-quality investment to the UK’s
dynamic economy. We provide
companies with the tools they
require to be competitive on the
world stage.
“An on-the-ground presence is essential
when offering our clients effective
support,” says Nick. “When we see
that a market has sufficient potential,
we look to establish and maintain a
physical presence. This has driven
our growth over the years. Mexico has
proven to be a key location for us, and
is a prime example of the transition
from supporting inward investment to
facilitating outgoing trade.”
Promoting awareness
As a UK company with a significant
overseas presence, Control Risks
maintains a working relationship with
many British Embassies around the
world. It is a member of the British
Chamber of Commerce in Mexico,
and met the UKTI security team at
embassy events.
Control Risks commissioned an
Overseas Market Introduction Service
(OMIS) from UKTI to formally launch
RiskMap in the Mexican market.
In February 2012, UKTI organised
a breakfast presentation at the
Ambassador’s residence in Mexico City.
UKTI worked with the company to
identify which organisations would
be interested in attending, sent out
invitations and helped schedule
speakers for the event. Afterwards, UKTI
followed up with the attendees, and
passed the positive feedback they got
to Control Risks. Given this success, in
March 2013 the company arranged a
similar presentation with UKTI. There are
now plans to make this an annual event.
“Both the range and quality of the
services we received from UKTI in
Mexico were excellent,” says Nick.
“UKTI helped us to promote RiskMap
and our brand to influential members
of the Mexican business community.
As a UK company that has expanded
overseas, the local British Embassy is
always one of our first points of contact.
We look forward to building a long
term relationship with the UKTI team
in Mexico, and with their support look
forward to cementing our RiskMap
presentation as an annual fixture in
Mexico’s business calendar.”
The UK and Mexico
Mexico is the UK’s second largest
trading partner in Latin America and
there has never been a better time
to consider Mexico as a place to do
business. Mexico regularly ranks in the
top three emerging markets in which
to do business, and is the fourteenth
largest economy in the world.
Over the past decade, the country has
seen economic growth and stable
inflation. With its impressive network of
Free Trade Agreements (including North
America and the EU) and its strategic
location in-between the US and Latin
America, Mexico has the potential to act
as a springboard into the region as well
as being an attractive proposition in its
own right.
For further information about
business opportunities in Mexico,
please go to www.ukti.gov.uk/mexico