Richie Santosdiaz

richie santosdiaz

Executive Economic Development Advisor

United Arab Emirates

Bio Summary

Richie mainly specializes in economic development and diversification within the management consulting realm, specifically around internationalization (international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI)), as well as international business, international education, and capability development.

Having lived in seven countries with over 15 years professional experience, he spent almost 5 years until 2018 with PA Consulting based in London, having a portfolio of high-level government (UK, Canadian, Mayor of London) and multinational corporate clients in Europe, North America and the Middle East. Richie has worked in others industries, such as higher education, manufacturing, transportation, NGOs and retail.

Richie has worked with a wide range of sectors in the context of economic development and internationalization, but, in particular he developed a skill set and sub-passion for the agriculture/food, tech, tourism and creative industries sectors (particularly film & television).

Employment History

Executive Economic Development Advisor

March 2021 - present

Dubai - United Arab Emirates


RISE Group

Head Of Strategy

RISE Group

May 2019 - March 2021

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Work mainly in Saudi was part of the leadership team overseeing strategy and implementation projects across KSA

CIEE Council on International Educational Exchange

ADJUNCT PART TIME LECTURER

CIEE Council on International Educational Exchange

July 2015 - August 2017

London, UK

Redesigned "British Business in a European Context" and "International Management" courses, delivered with high student & academic feedback, business advisor to students

PA Consulting

Economic Development Advisor

PA Consulting

September 2013 - February 2018

London, UK


Department For International Trade

PROJECT EXECUTIVE GREATER

Department For International Trade

August 2012 - October 2013

London, UK

Led a £5 M European Union project helping SMEs from London internationalize. Later emphasis on infrastructure initiative "High Value Opportunities, " giving UK companies opportunities to win large contracts abroad

University of California

ASSISTANT TO SENIOR PROGRAMME OFFICER

University of California

October 2010 - August 2012

London, UK

Worked with the London Study Centre's Senior Programme Officer in the centre's operations, helping and maintaining the program's UK academic operations; coached and mentored students

Sic Lazaro

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS USA REPRESENTATIVE

Sic Lazaro

November 2009 - June 2010

Pamplona, Navarre, Spain

Led works for investigating the counterweight, raw material, heavy machinery and elevator market for 2010 US market entry, as well as establishing potential clients, suppliers, and identifying plants locations in the US

Education

intermediategraduate in

INSTITUTE OF EXPORT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

2014

masters in GLOBALIZATION AND MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES

2012

masters in INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

FORO EUROPEO BUSINESS SCHOOL OF NAVARRA

2009

bachelors in INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON

1899

Master's in Business Education

Soas

2012

Country Experience

United Kingdom Saudi Arabia Canada United States United Arab Emirates Spain

Skills

Finance

Financial Planning

Project & Program Management

Business

Business Unit Strategy,

Growth Strategy,

Innovation Strategy,

Strategic Planning

Industry Experience