Mark is the Managing Director and Founder of Themis Group Consulting Ltd and has over three decades of global experience in strategic leadership, business transformation, and operations management in the private sector and international organisations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
He has proven leadership expertise in complex, high-impact environments delivering operational excellence. Mark successfully led investigations into chemical weapons use in Syria as Head of the UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism. At the Commonwealth Secretariat, he founded the P/CVE Unit and led institutional reform efforts across 56 Member States.
As a project manager and a certified change management leader (APMG Certified), he offers deep knowledge in organisational design, operational efficiency, and workforce optimisation.
Mark is known for cultivating positive, inclusive, and innovative organisational cultures, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
He holds an MBA in Strategic Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance, a Diploma in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School, is an APMG Certified Change Management Practitioner and is a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington DC.
Earlier in his career, Mark served in diplomatic postings in Tel Aviv, Geneva and The Hague
About
Mark Albon
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Robert fairweather
Bob is a conflict resolution expert with over three decades of experience in international diplomacy, crisis management, and multilateral negotiations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
He has held senior roles in some of the world’s most politically sensitive contexts, including as UK Special Representative to Sudan and South Sudan, Administrator of Diego Garcia, and Chief of Cabinet at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.
Bob has led cross-government teams and advised senior officials at the OPCW, supporting global coordination with IGAD, the African Union, and the UN. He was awarded an OBE in 2019.
Earlier in his career, Bob served in diplomatic postings in Geneva, Kathmandu, The Hague, and Beijing, and began his public service career specialising in VAT and fraud investigations with HMRC.
Santiago Oñate Laborde
Santiago is a lawyer, diplomat and international civil servant with deep expertise in international law, chemical weapons disarmament, and multilateral diplomacy.
A graduate of UNAM, he also undertook postgraduate legal studies in Italy, the UK and the USA. In Mexico, he served as Federal Attorney for the Environment, Minister of Labour, and Chief of Staff to the President. As a diplomat, he represented Mexico in the UK, the Netherlands, the OAS, and various international bodies.
At the OPCW, Santiago held senior roles including Director of the Office of the Legal Adviser, Special Adviser to the Director-General for the Third Review Conference, and Coordinator of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT), which attributed responsibility for chemical weapons use in Syria.
He is widely recognised for supporting States Parties in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and for his leadership in legal and policy advisory roles within disarmament frameworks.
Drawing on over three decades of experience and leadership in NGO/IGO’s, the foreign office and business environments, we provide cost-effective advice and support to organisations in need of change and transformation, training and coaching to senior leadership, and capacity building and mentorship to operational teams.
We have a strong track record of working in many locations, including hazardous and conflict environments. We also have extensive dealings with Heads of State, Royal Houses and senior officials across multiple international organisations.
We have a wide ranging offer that meets the common problems managers, leaders and governments face and we can design a bespoke intervention to suit your specific needs.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us directly to discuss you needs.
International Compliance & Multilateral Engagement
Services
We provide discreet, senior-level advisory support to governments seeking to establish and re-establish compliance with key international multilateral agreements. Our services include:
1. Strategic advice, legal and operational support for compliance with international legal instruments.
2. Risk-managed planning of in-country inspections, drafting of declarations, official reports, and submissions to key Policy Making Bodies and Secretariats.
3. Development of public diplomacy strategies, stakeholder engagement and discreet outreach to donors, partners, and key diplomatic actors to sustain engagement.
4. Training and mentoring of officials to manage compliance processes and inspections.
We work with governments to manage legacy issues, rebuild trust with the international community, and reframe their global standing. Our team includes former senior officials from across the United Nations, Agencies and Associated Multilateral Organisations.
organisational transformation
We offer tailored solutions to help organisations navigate complex changes and achieve long-term success. Our services focus on:
1. Strategic Leadership & Governance:
Refining strategic goals, improving governance, and aligning operations for enhanced performance and decision-making.
2. Business Process Reengineering:
Streamlining processes and introducing modern systems and methodologies to boost efficiency and reduce operational redundancies.
3. Workforce Optimisation & Culture:
Building inclusive, high-performing teams aligned with strategic goals while fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
4. Risk Management & Compliance:
Identifying risks, ensuring compliance, and maintaining stability during transformation.
These services drive effective transformation, ensuring agility, efficiency, and sustainable growth.
Leadership Empowerment
We provide targeted services to help leaders drive success and navigate operational and strategic challenges. Our approach includes:
1. Leadership Development:
Strengthening decision-making, communication, and strategic thinking to enable leaders to guide their teams with confidence.
2. Team Building:
Helping leaders create high-performing, collaborative teams through tailored strategies and conflict resolution.
3. Coaching for Change:
One-on-one coaching to help leaders manage organisational change, fostering resilience and an inclusive culture.
4. Strategic Alignment:
Aligning leadership styles with organizational goals to ensure effective action and sustainable growth.
Facilitation &
negotiation
We offer expert services in:
1. Board and Committee Secretariat Services
Support boards, councils, and high-level committees through agenda preparation, accurate minute writing, and post-meeting documentation. Where required, I also offer professional chairing or co-chairing services to ensure meetings are efficiently conducted, procedurally sound, and strategically aligned.
2. Conference Facilitation:
Design and lead international conferences and workshops. Managing multi-stakeholder dialogues on sensitive topics, and ensuring productive outcomes through effective moderation
3. Mediation
Facilitating conflict resolution between diverse entities by applying cultural understanding and diplomatic expertise to build consensus and foster collaborative solutions.
4. Negotiation
Provide training and advice on multilateral negotiation techniques. Assisting with the preparation of strategies for international summits and negotiations by guiding clients through complex geopolitical landscapes.
change Management
We guide organisations through smooth change implementation for long-term success. Our approach includes:
1. Change Management Strategy:
Developing tailored strategies aligned with organizational goals, focusing on stakeholder engagement and clear communication.
2. Process Optimization:
Streamlining operations and introducing efficient systems to improve performance during transformation.
3.Team Engagement & Training:
Facilitating programs to prepare teams for change, fostering adaptability and alignment with new goals.
4. Leadership Support:
Coaching leaders to effectively guide teams through transitions, maintaining focus and productivity.
Organisations we've worked with
Testimonials
Prof. Chahine Ghais, College of Security and Global Studies
American University of the Emirates
"...We embraced the opportunity to get to know Mark and were honored to host him in a number of lectures and workshops. His confidence, world-wisdom and generous personality came through his talks vividly. He presented his experienced knowledge of world affairs, security, weapons of mass destruction, the UN and conflict resolution with such a rational passion and humanistic touch. He represented a model diplomat with the continued commitment to serve a better humanity and world peace. He has earned our respect, gratitude, and lasting friendship..."
أخذ السفير مارك ألبون مبادرة التواصل مع كلية الأمن والدراسات العالمية في الجامعة الأمريكية في الإمارات، وعرض مشاركة ثروته من المعرفة والخبرة مع طلابنا وأعضاء هيئة التدريس. اغتنمنا فرصة التعرف عليه وتشرفنا باستضافته في عدد من المحاضرات وورش العمل. جاءت ثقته وحكمته العالمية وشخصيته الكريمة من خلال محادثاته بشكل واضح. لقد قدم خبرته في الشؤون العالمية والأمن وأسلحة الدمار الشامل والأمم المتحدة وحل النزاعات بشغف عقلاني ولمسة إنسانية. لقد كان يمثل دبلوماسيًا نموذجيًا مع الالتزام المستمر بخدمة الإنسانية والسلام العالمي بشكل أفضل. لقد نال احترامنا وامتناننا وصداقتنا الدائمة، كما نأمل.
