Spear’s Review

Adam Wilkinson is a partner at Schillings, overseeing teams that deal with digital and physical risk and private diplomacy around the world, with a particular specialism in African countries. 

There is a lot at stake for his clients. ‘The world is becoming more unstable and dangerous. Clients have high-risk appetites; they are in risky industries, in risky jurisdictions,’ he tells Spear’s. ‘Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, corruption is the norm, and hostile actors will try to take advantage of you, undermine your operations and potentially smear your reputation. This is when expert advice around diplomacy, security and how to navigate business in these different jurisdictions is crucial.’ 

Wilkinson and the critical risks practice cover blackmail, extortion, kidnapping and personal security as well as ransomware and hacking. Physical security is often directed to specialist companies in Wilkinson’s trusted international network, while dealings with extortionists and blackmailers are more likely to be dealt with in-house, as are problem-solving expeditions covering threats to property, business and people in areas of the world where the courts might be powerless or corrupt.

Adviser Profile

Adam supports high-profile individuals and leading businesses in countering threats to their privacy, security or reputation, and in unlocking high-stakes opportunities.

Adam’s primary focus is on resolving political and commercial conflicts using diplomacy, intelligence, communications and, where necessary, security. Adam also oversees high-stakes surveillance, physical and digital security tasks across the globe. He leads direct negotiations during blackmail, ransomware and extortion cases. An agile problem-solver with a military background, Adam has an international network and a focus on clients operating in high-risk sectors and challenging markets – with a current emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa.