Who we are

We are a group of development experts and entrepreneurs, sharing ownership of a business we’re passionate about, to improve our countries.

We are an employee owned business, sharing both the responsibility for and benefits of growth across our team. Incorporated in the United Kingdom, we build agency and capability in our focus countries.

We work with Governments, investors, donors, intermediaries, family offices, startups, multinationals and communities to deliver growth that is increasingly inclusive in the markets and regions where we work.

To do so, we bring together some of the most accomplished experts in our focus markets with international experts drawn from across the private sector.

Team Profiles

Raymond Asfour

Raymond is the CEO and co-Managing Partner of Expectation State.

United Kingdom

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

Andrew is the co-Managing Partner of Expectation State

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 of Hedgehog and a Non-Executive Director of the Development Bank of Wales. He previously held senior leadership roles at one of the world’s leading private markets investment managers.

Raya is an Expectation State Partner and Country Representative in Jordan.

Jordan

Prior to joining Expectation State, Raya has worked extensively across investment in Jordan, with a variety of government and private sector counterparts.

Amine is an Expectation State Partner and Country Representative in Tunisia.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State Amine was a Trade and Investment Adviser at the UK Department of International Trade (DIT) where his role involved supporting businesses interested in exporting to Tunisia

Lucy is an Expectation State Partner, leading our Migration portfolio.

United Kingdom

She is a social researcher and widely published global expert on issues related to displacement and forced migration.

Sacha is an Expectation State Partner, leading our Digital portfolio.

Jordan

She supports organisations to develop digital strategies, policies, and products that are rights-based and inclusive.

Ghassan is an Expectation State Partner, leading our expansion in MENA

Lebanon

He works to grow strong local and international partnerships across the region.

Amina is a Project Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, Amina was an Account Manager at eXo Platform MEA.

Nour is a Project Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, Nour worked as a Parliamentary Reporter at AlBawsala, a Tunisian NGO.

Neila is a Project Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, Neila worked for a Tunisian CSO.

Ons is a Senior Associate with Expectation State

Tunisia

Ons is a Senior Associate with Expectation State, having previously led projects on a variety of issues related to inclusive growth.

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.

Wiem Supports on Business Development in Tunisia

Tunisia

Prior to joining Expectation State, Wiem Zarrouk was a Senior Adviser to the Minister of Development, Investment and International Cooperation in Tunisia, having formerly served as a Senior Adviser to the Minister of Trade.

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

United Kingdom

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

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

United States of America

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

David has a track record of investment transaction and relationship management with Financial Institutions and Development Partners in Africa.

Kenya

David currently serves as a Group Executive Director of Monitoring and Evaluation for the Africa Guarantee Fund.

Who we are

We are a group of development experts and entrepreneurs, sharing ownership of a business we’re passionate about, to improve our countries.

Team Profiles

Raymond Asfour

Raymond is the CEO and co-Managing Partner of Expectation State.

United Kingdom

Andrew Gharaibeh Collingwood

Andrew is the co-Managing Partner of Expectation State

Jordan

Robert Lamb

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

United Kingdom

Raya Rousan

Raya is an Expectation State Partner and Country Representative in Jordan.

Jordan

Amine Allouche

Amine is an Expectation State Partner and Country Representative in Tunisia.

Tunisia

Dr Lucy Hovil

Lucy is an Expectation State Partner, leading our Migration portfolio.

United Kingdom

Sacha Robehmed

Sacha is an Expectation State Partner, leading our Digital portfolio.

Jordan

Ghassan el Bitar

Ghassan is an Expectation State Partner, leading our expansion in MENA

Lebanon

Amina Ben Abdallah

Amina is a Project Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Nour Chaabene

Nour is a Project Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Neila Ahlem Zakraoui

Neila is a Project Officer at Expectation State.

Tunisia

Ons Ben Abdelkarim

Ons is a Senior Associate with Expectation State

Tunisia

Sanchia Kirkpatrick

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

United Kingdom

Wiem Zarrouk

Wiem Supports on Business Development in Tunisia

Tunisia

Dr Alessandra Buonfino

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

United Kingdom

Steven Zausner

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

United States of America

David Ekabouma

David has a track record of investment transaction and relationship management with Financial Institutions and Development Partners in Africa.

Kenya