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Safa Sharifi
Associate Director, Economics & Country Risk at IHS Markit
Professional Background
Safa Sharifi is a distinguished professional leading business development for IHS Markit's Economics and Country Risk (ECR) solutions across Africa and the UK. With a robust background in both political analysis and economics, she has honed her expertise in helping governments, banks, and corporations navigate the challenges of political and economic uncertainty. Through her leadership in business development at IHS Markit, Safa ensures that clients are equipped with the critical insights necessary for making informed strategic decisions. The ECR team, composed of over 90 leading country experts, engages in proprietary forecasting methodologies and leverages alternative data to provide clients with comprehensive assessments of the changing risk landscape.
Safa’s career at IHS Markit reflects a steadfast commitment to empowering organizations with the tools they need to thrive in unpredictable environments. Her roles have evolved through several important positions, including Senior Associate II and Senior Associate in the Economics and Country Risk division, where her analytical skills and industry knowledge have played a critical role in shaping strategic decisions. Safa's clients benefit from her wealth of experience and her focused approach to mitigating risks and optimizing strategic planning.
Education and Achievements
Safa's educational background is marked by academic excellence and a strong foundation in politics and international relations. She attended The Hollyfield School in London, achieving AAB with a remarkable 340 UCAS points. Building upon this strong foundation, she pursued higher education at the University of York, where she earned a First Class BA (Hons) in Politics with International Relations. This academic pedigree has undoubtedly equipped Safa with essential analytical skills and a keen understanding of global economic trends, making her a valued asset in her field.
In addition to her impressive educational credentials, Safa has dedicated her career to enhancing decision-making processes for organizations grappling with political and economic complexity. As an Associate Director at IHS Markit, her role continues to be instrumental in delivering high-quality economic analysis and country risk assessments. The unique capabilities of the ECR team, under her leadership, serve to transform uncertainty into actionable insights, ultimately empowering clients to achieve profitable and sustainable strategic outcomes.
Notable Contributions
Safa's expertise has been significantly demonstrated in her previous positions at IHS Markit, where she held roles such as Account Manager in Maritime & Trade and participated in EMEA Rotations at the company. Her adaptability and extensive knowledge have allowed her to cater to a diverse client base, addressing varying needs across different sectors and regions. Before her impactful tenure at IHS Markit, Safa served as a Political Risk Analyst at Strategic Analysis, where she garnered valuable experience in assessing political risks, an essential skill that she carries forward in her current work. Additionally, her involvement with The Institute for Integrated Transitions provided her with rich insights into Middle Eastern and North African geopolitics, further strengthening her analytic repertoire and strategic insight.
If you're interested in learning more about Safa Sharifi or her initiatives at IHS Markit, she welcomes inquiries and would be delighted to connect with professionals looking to enhance their understanding of economic and country risk analysis. Her dedication to fostering informed decision-making is at the core of her professional philosophy, and she continuously strives to empower organizations to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
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