Our Experts
Edward Semple
Edward Semple is the Managing Director and founder of SET Advisory. Before establishing the company, he worked in the corporate investigations division of a prominent risk consultancy, focusing on Africa and Western Europe. At this role, Edward led a significant research project on Tiger Kidnap, and he also contributed to a Home Office-commissioned study on the international illicit drugs trade while at the Matrix Knowledge Group. His work has been featured in major media outlets including the BBC, The Economist, The Guardian, and The Independent. Edward’s expertise lies in due diligence, business intelligence, market entry studies, political risk assessments, and asset tracing across multiple countries such as Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil. With international experience in Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, Edward holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from University College Dublin and a Master of Science in Criminology from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London and is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, and is a member of the Strategic Governance Committee of the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain. Fluent in Portuguese and English, with advanced Spanish skills, Edward is well-equipped to navigate complex global environments.
Geraldine O’Keeffe
Geraldine O’Keeffe is a qualified lawyer in Brazil and serves as the Operations Director at SET Advisory. Prior to her role at SET Advisory, she led an energy service company in Portugal and worked as in-house counsel for Coca-Cola São Paulo (Spal) as well as a corporate lawyer at Machado, Meyer, Sendacz e Opice, one of Brazil’s leading law firms. Geraldine has lived and worked in Brazil, Ireland, and Portugal before relocating to the UK. She holds a law degree from Universidade de São Paulo and is fluent in Portuguese and English, bringing a wealth of legal and operational expertise to her position.
Ricardo Morais
Ricardo Morais is a Consultant at SET Advisory, having joined in March 2022. He conducts political risk and due diligence investigations primarily in Latin America, Lusophone Africa, and Western Europe. Ricardo’s international experience spans Portugal, the USA, and the UK. He holds a first class Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Universidade de Lisboa and a Master of Science in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Fluent in Portuguese and English, with advanced Spanish proficiency, Ricardo’s extensive background supports his analytical capabilities in diverse geopolitical contexts.
Maria Andrade
Maria Andrade joined SET Advisory in 2024. She works on political risk and due diligence investigations with a primary focus on Latin America, Lusophone Africa, and Western Europe. She holds a first class Bachelor of Arts degree from the Universidade de Brasília and a Master of Science in International Migration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. During her undergraduate studies, Maria was awarded a merit-based scholarship to study at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris, where she specialised in European Studies. Fluent in Portuguese, English and French, her international experience and research expertise equip her to deliver insightful political risk assessments and due diligence investigations across diverse regions.
Patrick Newell
Patrick Newell is an Analyst at SET Advisory, having initially joined as an intern in 2024. He conducts investigative research into corporate entities and individuals for due diligence and political risk projects, with a focus on the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Arabic from McGill University and a Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies from Leiden University. His wide experience in Turkey, Russia, Canada, Spain, The Netherlands and Oman, coupled with his proficiency in Turkish, French, Spanish and Arabic, equips him with a wealth of regional expertise and an understanding of different social, political and media landscapes.