All artwork reproduced with kind permission of The Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge UK
Arctic Advisory Associates (AAA) was created in 2024 although its Founder and its commercial origins as a Polar Consultancy, date back to 2010. The company specialises in the Arctic regions, the growing link between the Poles and the Space domain, and the Technologies that link Space with the Poles. In addition, Arctic Advisory Associates brings to the arena consultancy services, research capabilities, investment experience, and commercial opportunities with AAA, including Associateships and Partnerships. Arctic Advisory Associates offices are located in the UK and Norway.
Tim Reilly has been an Expert Witness to various HMG Arctic committees, most recently the 2023 House of Lords’ Defence and International Affairs Committee on the Arctic. Tim regularly briefs the UK Cabinet Office, FCDO, and MoD on Arctic matters and his input was included in the UK’s latest Arctic policy paper. He has an international Arctic network which includes U.S. Space Force; the latter reflecting the growing link between Space and the Poles. He is also a founder member of the UK’s All Party Parliamentary Group, on the Arctic Regions.
Tim is a Russian speaker and his PhD at the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) at Cambridge, was on Sino-Russian relations in the Eurasian Arctic. He is also formally trained in international relations.
After serving in the UK’s Parachute Regiment in the ‘80s which included three years in the Arctic, Tim worked for Exxon, Chevron and then later as Government Affairs Adviser to Shell in the nineties, responsible for the CIS region. In the early noughties he was VP for a major U.S. Telecom/Media operator in the CIS and later Director of Oil & Gas at Kroll International. He regularly writes in the papers (The Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, La Tribune, etc), on Sino-Russian and Arctic matters.
Tim continues to pursue academic research as an Associate at SPRI. He also lectures on Arctic matters at various UK/U.S. Think Tanks, the U.S.’ Space Command, MoD’s JEF formation, the UK’s Cabinet Office and NATO, as well as advising commercial organizations in the UK, EU, and U.S.
Commissioned from RMA Sandhurst August 1982, into the Parachute Regiment where he was trained as an Arctic Warfare Instructor and posted to Norway for three years. Colin served for 15 years during which time he served in NI as well deployments to the US, Corsica and throughout Europe. Whilst serving Colin established the Parachute Regiment Bobsleigh Team which competed in the 1992, 1994 Winter Olympics and won an Olympic Bronze Medal in 1998.
Colin joined Hughes Training (part of General Motors) delivering the Global Training contract for General Motors Training. Subsequently Colin worked in Germany and then Dubai as GM’s Regional Training Manager and also delivered the region’s Global Change Programme.
In 2000 Colin set-up his own Leadership and Team-building Company in Dubai. Key clients included HP, Microsoft, GM, Glaxo-Smithkline, Tetrapak, Siemens, Emirates Airlines and Jumeirah International Hotel Group. Colin was invited to support the Future Leaders Of Dubai programme, sponsored directly by Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai.
Colin sold his company to Sir Chay Blythe and stayed on and also supported the BT Global Challenge, “the worlds toughest yacht race” before moving back to the UK. Further roles included working for Siemens UK as a Transition/Transformation Programme Director.
Later in the noughties Colin worked for AEGIS, a Private Military Company supporting the US Department of Defence in Iraq, and subsequently moved to Malta as Director Special Operations and New Business Development, for a UK maritime security firm.
Sven-Roald has worked on Sámi peoples’ issues for over 40 years. His expertise is related to Arctic Indigenous peoples’ communities, their rights and opportunities in terms of governance, resources, sustainable development, and business.
He held appointments in the Government’s Sami Rights Committee 1984-1997, and was elected to the Sámi Parliament in Norway in 1993, where he represented the Norwegian Sámi Association, and was then appointed President for two subsequent, four-year terms, 1997-2005. This included membership of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentarians for the Arctic Region, participation in Norway’s delegation to the Arctic Council, and in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, as well as conducting governmental meetings with Nordic Countries, Canada, and Russia.
Sven-Roald worked at the Árran Lule Sámi Centre from 2006 to 2022 as Special Adviser, responsible for Arctic and High North Affairs. Between 2007-2009 he was a member of the Norwegian Government’s Expert Committee on High North Affairs.
He is a member of Norwegian Mineral Industry’s TSM COI Panel, and the Advisory Council at the Centre for the Ocean and Arctic, UiT, the Arctic University of Norway. Since 2006 he has widely lectured/advised in the region, and published 55 papers/articles. He holds a MPhil in Polar Studies from the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge.
Guy was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment and served for 35 years including 19 with UK Special Forces (UKSF), before joining the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
Guy served in numerous high-risk operational theatres and post-conflict environments including Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served with the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), providing operational and policy advice on counter-terrorism to U.S. Special Operations Forces, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement agencies. Senior UK appointments included two tours at the MoD providing policy and operational advice as well as supporting time-sensitive operations with specialist advice in the Defence Crisis Management Centre (DCMC) and Cabinet Office Briefing Room ‘Alpha’ (COBRA).
At DSTL Guy established and led a team providing policy advice to senior decision-makers within the MoD and other HMG departments. Guy also conducted sensitive projects in Defence and Policing regarding: capability; policy; and future technology requirements. This required delicate cross-governmental and stakeholder engagement, combined with intimate knowledge and experience of the political landscape.
Guy is highly regarded in the Defence and security industry and has received a number of UK and international awards. He has an MSc in Security Management, a registered Chartered Security Professional, and Fellow of the Security Institute.
Chris is an experienced executive with 20 years of high-level business development and negotiation in the Arctic initially within the energy sector; he possesses a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of this evolving sector and the challenges faced therein. Leveraging his extensive experience, Chris has cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, successfully navigating the competitive landscape. This has led to a proven track record of identifying opportunities for strategic partnerships and collaborations resulting in numerous successful negotiations that have established businesses in the region. Chris exhibits a unique blend of vision, leadership, and expertise that has established him as a trusted advisor within the Arctic.
Chris was initially trained in business finance and international management and after years of dedicated research and collaboration alongside fellow experts in the field, Chris has since become an expert in the Arctic arena and has worked closely with critical regional organizations such as the Arctic Council.
His extensive knowledge and expertise in this specialised area have allowed him to make significant contributions to the understanding of Arctic ecosystems, climate change impact assessments, and policy development. Chris is also the founder of the Arctic Exchange – a high level unique formatted event bringing together C-suite executives and government bodies to share research findings, insights, and expertise to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities at play in the Arctic ecosystem.
He sits on the board for Sea Focus, an international maritime business network that fosters innovation and collaboration among maritime professionals, and is also the UK Advisor for Smart Ocean AS, a technology Company based in Norway which is dedicated to addressing major ocean challenges through innovative smart products and digital solutions.
After twelve years as an officer in the Norwegian Armed Forces, Andreas Svanlund transitioned to the defense industry in 2012, where he played a pivotal role in orchestrating the transformation of Oskar Pedersen AS from a ship supplier to a prominent defense industry actor.
During his tenure at Oskar Pedersen AS, the company grew to become the largest equipment provider to the Norwegian police and secured multiple substantial contracts with the armed forces in Scandinavia, covering a range of items from advanced robotics to sleeping bags. One significant milestone was the development of the Nordic Combat Uniform System which later was awarded a EUR 425 million contract with the Scandinavian Armed Forces.
In 2020, Andreas ventured into the oil & gas sector, contributing to the establishment of a Norwegian marine mineral industry. Notably, in January 2024, the Norwegian Parliament, with a 4/5 majority, approved deep-sea mining in Norwegian waters.
In the process leading up to the opening of the NCS, Svanlund work closely with both political, academical, industrial, environmental, national, and international media as well as security-oriented actors.
His interest extends to geopolitics, international economy, and energy security. He is frequently invited to lecture on supply chain vulnerabilities, addressing esteemed audiences across different industries and sectors.
Svanlund has on several occasions been asked to advice governmental actors and institutions on topics related to his expertise.
