My name is Imogen Sykes, and I am currently a master’s student at King’s College London studying Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies. From the end of July 2025, I had the opportunity to spend just under a month interning at SET Advisory, an immensely rewarding experience that offered practical exposure to the due diligence industry and through which I learned a great deal.

Joining SET Advisory

In November 2024, I attended a Security Panel Event at King’s where I first met Edward Semple, the Managing Director and Founder of SET Advisory. Following the event, I reached out to introduce myself and seek advice on pursuing a career in the security and corporate intelligence sector. This resulted in a follow-up meeting in which Edward generously shared insights into the industry. This conversation was extremely helpful and resulted in my gaining a better understanding of the industry. It also helped me appreciate the value of networking, showing how engaging with industry experts can build expertise, expand knowledge, and create opportunities. Following our discussion in January, we had a follow-up call in April, at which point I was offered an internship at SET Advisory. I am very grateful to Edward for this opportunity.

Internship responsibilities and tasks

My internship began with a detailed review of past due diligence reports, which allowed me to understand and learn their structure, writing style, and language used. I also received guidance on the tools and databases commonly used in reputational due diligence and political risk research.

From there, I became actively involved in ongoing projects, assisting with research and report writing, conducting open-source intelligence research across multiple geographical contexts, and learning a variety of OSINT techniques. Based on my own internship experience, my advice for new interns is to immerse yourself in the work from day one. Take on as much responsibility as possible, get involved in every aspect of the projects, and throw yourself into learning. This is how you gain the most experience and insight from your posting.

Skills and Lessons Learned

During my time at SET Advisory, I developed a range of professional skills. For example, I found that corporate due diligence requires a different approach from academic writing. Whereas academic writing requires you to develop an argument based on the evidence presented, due diligence reports require you to present the facts and evidence clearly and concisely without judgment. I also gained experience investigating specific individuals, companies, and locations, applying OSINT techniques across multiple geographical contexts.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was the variety of industries I covered. Each project demanded not only thorough research to meet the brief but also an understanding of the political and geographical context. This highlighted the value of languages in the sector, and I am motivated to continue learning new languages to enhance my analytical capacity.

Time management and adaptability were crucial. The internship involved working on multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines without compromising the quality. Working in SET Advisory’s fast-paced Canary Wharf office emphasised the importance of clear communication and teamwork on shared projects.

Another extremely rewarding part of the internship was the collaborative atmosphere. The analysts that I had the pleasure to work with were generous with their time and knowledge, always willing to answer questions or offer guidance on challenging aspects of research. This mentorship allowed me not only to refine my analytical skills but also to gain a clear understanding of the due diligence process, from receiving a client brief to conducting research, editing, and delivering a final report. Seeing how each stage interconnects and contributes to actionable insights for clients provided a true understanding of the practical demands and responsibilities of the role.

Reflections and Key Takeaways

My time at SET Advisory has provided me with invaluable knowledge of the practical demands of due diligence work, how the sector operates, and the process of conducting due diligence investigations. The experience has significantly strengthened my OSINT and analytical skills and reaffirmed my interest in pursuing a career in this field. For anyone seeking to enter this sector, my main advice is to actively engage with industry professionals and be adaptable, as the work often requires mastering new topics under tight deadlines.

I want to extend my gratitude to the entire SET Advisory team for their guidance, trust, patience, and the opportunity to contribute directly to client work, and for the chance to work alongside such knowledgeable and talented professionals.

This post is a contribution made by Imogen Sykes, an intern at SET Advisory.