Who we are

We provide a different approach to
development in emerging states,
acting as a catalyst for private sector
investment, to benefit society as
a whole.

The 21st Century has been characterised by disruption. Political, technological and social change is rapid and global. This requires new approaches to old problems. Development in emerging states is no different.

Emerging states, especially democracies, need transformational levels of investment to meet the demands and expectations of citizens. International development aid alone cannot meet this demand at the speed and scale required. A new approach is needed to harness the transformative power of the market.

Expectation State is an interlocutor with international investment, a partner for progress with emerging state governments, and a support for the international donor community to improve social change.

Team Profiles

Raymond Asfour

Raymond is the founder and CEO of Expectation State. He is responsible for business strategy and oversight.

United Kingdom

Prior to founding Expectation State, Raymond’s career focused on supporting governments in Emerging States on behalf of a wide range of donors.

Andrew is a Director at Expectation State, leading engagement with our focus states.

Jordan

Prior to joining Expectation State Andrew was a Managing Principal at a UK development consultancy, followings roles in No 10, Cabinet Office, FCO and DFID.

Robert provides the Board with strategic inputs regarding international investors, as a Non-Executive Director.

United Kingdom

Away from Expectation State, Robert is a co-founder and managing partner of investment management firm Alte. He previously held senior leadership roles at one of the world’s leading private markets investment managers.

Ons is Expectation State's Country Representative in Tunisia.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State Ons worked in consultancy and the third sector, promoting government transparency and accountability following the Tunisian revolution.

Najwa is a Research and Engagement Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, Najwa worked as a journalist with the online magazine Tunisia Live, and as an event-coordinator with the media platform “Local Libya".

Abigail is an Associate at Expectation State, supporting business development and project management.

United Kingdom

Prior to joining Expectation State, Abigail was a consultant at a global international development consultancy.

Elliot leads our communications support for investment forums and events.

United Kingdom

He brings extensive communication and events expertise, including for the UN, UK Government, UK Conservative Party, You Gov, Dods publishing and the European Union.

Myriam is Expectation State’s Government Engagement Lead in Tunisia.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, Myriam held a senior management position at PwC in Tunisia, having undertaken banking and telecoms consultancy assignments across Africa.

Rim is an associate at Expectation State, leading on economic research and analysis.

Senegal

In addition to her work at Expectation State, Rim s currently a consultant for the World Bank, working on education in West Africa.

Olfa is Expectation State’s Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) Liason & Investor Relations Lead.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, Olfa worked at Heineken International in marketing and trade marketing roles before holding a double position at Nactis Flavours Group.

Sanchia leads our work and engagement with industry and business representatives.

United Kingdom

Sanchia as previously worked within and on behalf of international governments and investment promotion agencies, focussing on economic development and foreign direct investment.

Tom is a communications and brand strategist, specialising in policy communications at Expectation State.

United Kingdom

In his day job, he leads communications firm Cast from Clay, which he founded to drive greater engagement between policy elites and the general public.

Aymen provides research support to Expectation State Tunisia.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, he worked with the Tunisian Federation of Film Societies and interned at LEDI Smart Communication, a marketing and communication firm.

Advisory Council

We work with a number of advisors to ensure that our technical approach remains at the forefront of public and private sector practice.

Alessandra Buonfino

Alessandra is Head of International Development at the independent law firm Mishcon de Reya in London.

United Kingdom

Alessandra is Head of International Development at the independent law firm Mishcon de Reya in London.

Who we are

We provide a different approach to development in emerging states,acting as a catalyst for private sectorinvestment, to benefit society as a whole.

Team Profiles

Raymond Asfour

Raymond is the founder and CEO of Expectation State. He is responsible for business strategy and oversight.

United Kingdom

Andrew Gharaibeh Collingwood

Andrew is a Director at Expectation State, leading engagement with our focus states.

Jordan

Robert Lamb

Robert provides the Board with strategic inputs regarding international investors, as a Non-Executive Director.

United Kingdom

Ons Ben Abdelkarim

Ons is Expectation State's Country Representative in Tunisia.

Tunisia

Najwa Younes

Najwa is a Research and Engagement Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Abigail Henderson

Abigail is an Associate at Expectation State, supporting business development and project management.

United Kingdom

Elliot Grainger

Elliot leads our communications support for investment forums and events.

United Kingdom

Myriam Sfar

Myriam is Expectation State’s Government Engagement Lead in Tunisia.

Tunisia

Rim Wazni

Rim is an associate at Expectation State, leading on economic research and analysis.

Senegal

Olfa Ben Azouz

Olfa is Expectation State’s Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) Liason & Investor Relations Lead.

Tunisia

Sanchia Kirkpatrick

Sanchia leads our work and engagement with industry and business representatives.

United Kingdom

Tom Hashemi

Tom is a communications and brand strategist, specialising in policy communications at Expectation State.

United Kingdom

Aymen Bessalah

Aymen provides research support to Expectation State Tunisia.

Tunisia

Advisory Council

Alessandra Buonfino

Alessandra is Head of International Development at the independent law firm Mishcon de Reya in London.

United Kingdom

MB Christie

MB is currently the Chief Product Officer for Simply Business.

United Kingdom

Steven Zausner

Steve is a co-founder and lead of the advisory practice at Office:FMA.

United States of America

Research and Engagement Officer

Deputy Country Representative, Tunisia

We provide a different approach to
development in emerging states,
acting as a catalyst for private sector
investment, to benefit society as
a whole.