Salman Husain is a Vice President at The Asia Group, where he works with the firm’s South Asia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) teams. Salman brings more than a decade of experience in international affairs and national security, advising clients across sectors including energy, technology, and life sciences. Prior to joining The Asia Group, Salman
Paul Griffiths is a Managing Director at The Asia Group, where he leads the firm’s Australia presence from Canberra. A former senior Australian diplomat with more than three decades of government and executive leadership experience, Paul advises CEOs and senior executives on how to navigate Indo-Pacific geopolitical, trade, and national security developments, translating insight into
Amb. (Ret.) Paul Griffiths Read More »
Merran Lloyd is a Vice President at The Asia Group’s Australia Practice supporting defense and energy clients. Drawing on almost a decade of experience in national security policymaking, international engagement, and defence capability delivery, Merran provides clients with strategic analysis and political insights across the Indo-Pacific region to advance growth and expansion opportunities, government engagement strategies, and advocacy campaigns.
Shameek Godara is a Senior Associate in The Asia Group’s Australia practice where he supports clients focused on national security and defense, and the energy and extractives sectors. Based in Canberra, Shameek assists clients with expert policy analysis, stakeholder strategy development, and government engagement support. Shameek previously served as an Adviser at the Royal Norwegian
Akihiro Tsuchiya is a senior advisor at The Asia Group, based in Japan. A former senior official at Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF), he brings over three decades of leadership experience in international finance, economic security, and macroeconomic policy. Before joining The Asia Group in January 2026, he served as Director-General of MOF’s International Bureau
Akihiro (Aki) Kawai is a Principal at The Asia Group (TAG), where he focuses on the firm’s defense and national security portfolio. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in the Japanese defense industry, Aki supports defense clients’ business objectives in Japan, helping them to develop engagement strategies and to advance business development opportunities and expand market access.
Valerie Knobelsdorf is a Vice President in the Defense & National Security Practice at The Asia Group (TAG). Ms. Knobelsdorf brings over fifteen years of government and legal experience to TAG, with deep expertise in Indo-Pacific security affairs, technology policy, and international diplomacy. Most recently, she served as an Acting Director for the Office of
Valerie Knobelsdorf Read More »
Yuki Kurihara is an Associate with The Asia Group based in Tokyo. Yuki provides thoughtful analysis of geopolitical and security policy trends in the Indo-Pacific region, especially on Japan’s evolving defense policy, to assist client success in the Japanese market. Prior to joining The Asia Group, Yuki worked in London at the International Institute for Strategic
Kendall is an Associate with The Asia Group’s Defense & National Security Practice, where she provides strategic analysis of geopolitical trends and industry developments to support defense clients seeking to expand into markets across the Indo-Pacific. She also directly supports The Asia Group’s Indo-Pacific Defense Incubator (IPDI) initiative, helping to connect emerging U.S. and allied defense technology
Kate Canavan is a Senior Associate with the Defense and National Security Practice, where she advises defense and aerospace companies on navigating complex policy environments to advance commercial success in the Indo-Pacific region. She brings expertise in geopolitical trends, international trade, and regulatory issues affecting the defense industry—which she developed through her work supporting senior