Who we are – Developmentum

Experienced practitioners strengthening institutions in the toughest environments.

Developmentum's management team and associates

Together, the management team of Developmentum offer over six decades of experience delivering projects across the globe and a broad range of projects from the smallest to some of the biggest implemented within the international development sector. Our pool of associates includes some of the leading experts across the fields of illicit finance and sanctions, emergency preparedness and response, cybersecurity, aid effectiveness, public financial management, security sector reform and stabilisation

The Team here at Developmentum

Expert in public sector management, governance, and stabilisation in post-conflict environments

With over 35 years of experience in development, governance, and strategic planning, he has worked extensively with national governments to strengthen state institutions and deliver reform in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. His expertise spans public sector management, reconstruction, stabilisation, democratic governance, public finance management, decentralisation, service delivery, and anti-corruption reform. He has played a leading role in shaping good practice in post-conflict planning, peacebuilding, state-building, and aid effectiveness, drawing on substantial field experience to ensure policy and strategy are rooted in the realities of implementation. As an academic practitioner, his work combines rigorous research and diagnostic analysis with a practical focus on political settlements and stability. His in-country experience includes the UK & Europe, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and South Sudan, Liberia, Libya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Pakistan, Palestine (Gaza & West Bank), Somalia, Syria, Timor Leste, Ukraine, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. He holds postgraduate degrees from University College London (Bartlett School, M.Phil.) and the University of Western Ontario (MA), as well as a Doctorate in Defence and Security from Cranfield University (UK Defence Academy).

Dr. Gregory Wilson

Director

Specialist in managing large-scale donor programmes in fragile and conflict-affected states

Zane Kanderian is an experienced leader in international development and stabilisation, with a track record of managing some of the largest donor-funded programmes in fragile and conflict-affected states. Over the past two decades, he has directed portfolios worth over £100m across Afghanistan, Syria, and beyond, covering sectors such as counter-narcotics, agricultural development, tax administration reform, public financial management, civil service reform, justice sector administration, security planning, and local governance. He has extensive experience working across multiple donors, including the UK, US, and EU, managing high-profile co-funded programmes and establishing operational capabilities to deliver complex interventions. This includes leading the Brazil Energy Programme, the largest Prosperity Fund programme ever commissioned, setting up USAID implementing capacity across global operations, and establishing an EU corporate office in the Netherlands. Zane has led more than 50 donor-funded projects worldwide, giving him deep expertise in adapting sound project management principles to diverse institutional needs and political contexts. His experience positions him as a trusted advisor to governments, donors, and international partners seeking effective delivery in fragile environments.

Zane Kanderian

Director

Experienced in delivering complex programmes in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Eleanor is an experienced programme manager with a background in public policy, governance, and security programming across the Middle East and Latin America. Before joining Developmentum as Operations and Development Manager, she managed multi-year FCDO programmes in Iraq and Colombia, overseeing delivery through the full programme life cycle, building sustainability into national ownership, and adapting interventions during periods of unrest and COVID-19 disruption. She has also worked as a Portfolio Manager at FCDO London, supporting high-risk MENA and Gulf programmes, and previously held roles in the UK Department for Transport, Department for Business & Trade, Ministry of Defence, and the Stabilisation Unit. Eleanor holds an MSc in International and European Politics (Edinburgh) and a BA in European Studies (Maastricht). She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Dutch

Eleanor Mulholland

Operations & Development Manager

Political economist focused on aid management, PFM, and development data systems

Matt is a political economist with over 15 years’ experience in aid management, public finance, and governance. He specialises in aid data (including IATI), budget integration, debt, public investment, and service delivery. Matt has worked extensively in fragile states—including Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia/Somaliland, and Sierra Leone—as well as Rwanda, Mozambique, Laos, Vietnam, Ghana, South Africa, and Bangladesh, on behalf of FCDO, the EU, the World Bank, and UNDP. He typically works embedded within government counterparts to strengthen capacity and systems. Matt is also active in development IT solutions, co-founding a company that designs mobile app–based cash-transfer systems and data tools. He previously worked for the Overseas Development Institute, a UK development NGO, and the University of Warwick.

Matt Geddes

Associate

Senior adviser on government modernisation, capacity building, and post-conflict reform

Haider brings over 22 years’ experience in government modernisation, institutional capacity building, and post-conflict stabilisation across the MENA region. A native Arabic speaker, he has led transformational projects for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, Iraq’s Provincial Development Councils, and Palestine’s security and justice sectors. He has delivered results with UNDP, UNOPS, and bilateral donors, focusing on results-based management, performance frameworks, and stakeholder engagement. Haider has co-authored Saudi Arabia’s UN SDG 7 Progress Report, designed performance management systems for renewable energy departments, and implemented reforms to improve governance and service delivery. He holds an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School alongside certifications in change management and project management. His ability to navigate complex political environments while delivering measurable outcomes makes him a trusted leader in government reform.

Haider Shakiry

Associate

Senior counter-terrorism and law enforcement adviser

Piers has over three decades of leadership in counter-terrorism investigation, intelligence management, and law enforcement. A former Detective Chief Superintendent in the UK Counter Terrorism Network, he has advised national authorities in Libya, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia on counter-terrorism structures, training, and operations. He has also served as a Senior Advisor to the British Embassies in Libya and Lebanon, supporting the creation of counter-terrorism units and training programmes. Awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for distinguished service, Piers brings unmatched experience in developing operational protocols, managing intelligence, and supporting stabilisation and security sector reform in fragile environments

Piers Dingemans

Associate

Leader in humanitarian policy, practice, and organisational strategy

Nigel has worked in international humanitarian assistance since 1996, from his early role as a Water and Sanitation Engineer in Kabul to serving as Humanitarian Director for Oxfam International. As a consultant, he has co-authored influential policy studies, including research for ALNAP on drought response and applied ethics work with Humanitarian Outcomes. He has advised global organisations on learning, strategy, and humanitarian effectiveness. Nigel has held senior governance roles, serving as Chair of the CaLP Network, Board member for HQAI, founder Trustee of the Start Network, and a member of the UN IASC Emergency Directors Group. He was a co-author of the Core Humanitarian Standard and contributed to the SPHERE standards and the State of the Humanitarian System.

Nigel Timmins

Associate

Expert in government reform, policy development, and strategic planning

Arjen is an international development consultant with over 20 years’ experience in government reform, specialising in strategic planning, policy development, and coordination. He has advised governments across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central and South Asia. His current focus is on applying machine learning to development and governance challenges. Arjen holds an LL.M in International & European Law from the University of Amsterdam, an M.A. in International Relations & Economics from Johns Hopkins University, and is completing a PhD at Johns Hopkins SAIS.

Arjen van Ballegoyen

Associate

Specialist in financial investigations, asset recovery, and anti-corruption

Mohamed is a lawyer and financial investigations specialist with over 17 years of international experience spanning UNDP, GIZ, Transparency International, and the Iraqi Commission of Integrity. He has trained more than 2,000 judges, prosecutors, investigators, and auditors worldwide, developed handbooks on financial investigations and asset recovery, and designed justice-sector projects worth over $7 million. Mohamed holds two Master’s degrees and a PhD in Law and is a Certified Advanced Cryptocurrency Investigator. His work bridges legal expertise, practical training, and policy design, helping governments align with international AML/CFT standards and strengthen their capacity to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes

Dr. Mohamed Almosly

Associate

Financial sector expert in regulation, supervision, and digital finance

Talha is a financial sector consultant with over 20 years’ experience in 25+ developing countries, advising governments and international organisations on regulation, supervision, digital finance, and sustainable finance. He has worked with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Council of Europe, and American Bar Association, focusing on credit reporting, AML/CFT, financial inclusion, and climate-related finance. Talha has also supported central banks and supervisory agencies in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, drafting regulations and delivering training on risk-based supervision and virtual assets. He holds a PhD in Finance, an MBA from Georgetown University, and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

Dr. Talha Ocal

Associate

Senior adviser on asset recovery, illicit finance, and anti-corruption

Leam is a barrister with more than 25 years’ experience working on illicit financial flows, asset recovery, corruption, money laundering, and organised crime. Called to the Bar of England & Wales in 1997, she has worked with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UK regulatory authorities, the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority, Adam Smith International, and the International Centre for Asset Recovery. She has led or advised on projects in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including support to Uganda’s anti-corruption institutions, prosecutions in South Africa, and illicit finance programming in Iraq and Cyprus. Her expertise covers asset tracing, regulatory compliance, proceeds of crime, and financial intelligence, with a strong record of designing and implementing international cooperation mechanisms. Leam is also a Board Member of the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority

Leam Thompson

Associate

Specialist in democratic governance, peacebuilding, and social inclusion

Lara is an adviser and team leader with extensive experience supporting UNDP, EU, OSCE, and Amnesty International. She has worked in fragile and conflict-affected countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Sudan, and Georgia. Her expertise covers democratic participation, community engagement, peacebuilding, and gender and social inclusion. She brings skills in strategic planning, evaluation, technical writing, process design, and coordination, helping international organisations deliver inclusive and effective programmes.

Lara Griffith

Associate

Governance and rule of law specialist in conflict and post-conflict Iraq

Lubna brings over 17 years of experience in governance, accountability, and civil society engagement in Iraq. She has served as Chief of Party and Country Director for multiple U.S. Department of State programmes, managing multi-million-dollar budgets and teams of over 30 staff. Lubna has worked extensively with Iraqi and Kurdish government institutions, parliament, judiciary, and civil society, particularly during and after the ISIS conflict, where she played a key role in service delivery and resilience-building. She is fluent in Arabic and English (with intermediate Persian and Kurdish) and holds degrees in Law, Physics, and an MBA in Management Administration

Lubna Al-Waeli

Associate

Expert in geopolitics and diplomacy, and their intersection with new technologies and AI

Shaun Riordan is senior advisor on Public Diplomacy to UNDP Saudi Arabia. He is a research fellow of the Chahar Institute in China and a founding member of the Diplomacy 360 think tank in Romania. He is a senior consultant on digital, cyber and public diplomacy with UNITAR. He has been a visiting fellow of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and the London School of Economics. Shaun served for 16 years as a British diplomat with postings in New York, Taiwan, Beijing and Madrid, as well as the United Nations, Counter-Terrorism and Eastern Adriatic departments in the Foreign Office in London. He has taught at diplomatic academies in Romania, the Dominican Republic, Bulgaria and Spain. His books include “The New Diplomacy” (Polity 2003), “Adios a la Diplomacia” (Siglo XXI 2005), “The Geopolitics of Cyberspace” (Brill 2018) and “Cyberdiplomacy” (Polity 2019). A book on Business Diplomacy, co-written with a Chinese colleague, is forthcoming.

Shaun Riordan

Associate

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Experienced practitioners strengthening institutions in the toughest environments.

Developmentum's management team and associates

The Team here at Developmentum

Dr. Gregory Wilson Director

Zane Kanderian Director

Eleanor Mulholland Operations & Development Manager

Matt Geddes Associate

Haider Shakiry Associate

Piers Dingemans Associate

Nigel Timmins Associate

Arjen van Ballegoyen Associate

Dr. Mohamed Almosly Associate

Dr. Talha Ocal Associate

Leam Thompson Associate

Lara Griffith Associate

Lubna Al-Waeli Associate

Shaun Riordan Associate

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