Key Team Members

Alan Apter – Founder

Alan Apter is an accomplished investment banker and corporate strategist with over 40 years of experience advising multinational companies, financial institutions, and corporate boards. His expertise spans mergers & acquisitions (M&A), capital markets, corporate governance, and market entry strategies, with a particular focus on emerging economies across Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Former Soviet Union and Latin America.

Throughout his career, Mr. Apter has held senior positions at Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Renaissance Capital and Eaglestone Group, where he played a pivotal role in facilitating major cross-border transactions and guiding companies through complex capital-raising initiatives. His deep understanding of financial markets and corporate governance has made him a trusted advisor to firms navigating international expansion, regulatory challenges, and strategic restructuring. Notably, he led the first-ever NYSE-listed initial public offering (IPO) from post-Soviet Russia, a milestone that underscored his ability to bridge global financial centres with high-growth, transitioning economies.

Beyond investment banking, Mr. Apter has also been at the forefront of the energy sector in the Former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe and serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of a major gas producer in Ukraine. His leadership coincides with a period of substantial transformation in the region’s energy landscape, a role that requires deft navigation of geopolitical complexities and regulatory shifts. In this capacity, he has gained unparalleled insight into the intricate dynamics of international energy security and the evolving role of natural gas in global markets. His tenure reflects not only financial acumen but also a keen understanding of the strategic and political nuances inherent to the sector.

In addition to his expertise in the energy sector, he has worked across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, tech and telecom, financial services, heavy industry, retail and consumer, and real estate. Mr. Apter has actively contributed to corporate leadership as a director of multiple firms, including his tenure as a Director at a growing PSP and e-money platform, and a Director at Wood & Company, a Central European securities, corporate finance and asset management firm.

Mr. Apter’s legal background further complements his financial expertise. He holds a graduate degree from Columbia Law School and is a member of the Bar in both California and New York. His initial legal training provided him with a strong foundation in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management—critical elements of his advisory work

Heimir Helgason – Strategic Advisor & Market Research

Mr. Helgason brings a diverse and dynamic background spanning finance, entrepreneurship, and market strategy. Originally studying mathematics at the University of Iceland, he left academia to co-found a start-up with two partners. What began as a telecom marketing company in collaboration with Vodafone Iceland evolved into a successful insurance brokerage. After several years of growth, he exited the venture and relocated to London.

In London, he worked as a consultant for a Swedish firm specializing in capital raising across Europe, with a particular focus on Southern Europe, London, and the Middle East. This experience deepened his understanding of international finance, investment structures, and cross-border economic dynamics.

Following his tenure in capital markets, he transitioned into independent forex and commodity trading, leveraging deep geopolitical and microeconomic analysis to navigate global markets. A keen observer of financial trends, he was also an early adopter of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, actively trading in digital assets since 2017. With a strong interest in AI-driven solutions and advancements in computer science, he keeps a close eye on developments in blockchain, automation, and data intelligence, exploring their broader applications across industries.

With a career that bridges multiple industries and disciplines, Mr. Helgason combines entrepreneurial insight, financial acumen, and strategic market analysis to provide a well-rounded perspective on global economic and technological trends. His ability to integrate emerging technologies into strategic thinking ensures a forward-looking approach in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.