Board of Directors

Representing the Government of the United Kingdom

Paul Smith is Head of the Conflict Minerals and Private Security Standards Team in the Human Rights Department of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, leading on ICoCA, the VP and the Kimberley Process. His previous roles in the FCDO have included postings to Afghanistan, UAE, Kenya and Nigeria working on a range of issues including rule of law, immigration, and trade and investment

This is the Mr. Smith’s second consecutive term on the Board of Directors.

Representing the Government of Switzerland

Frederic Chenais is Policy Advisor at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs where he is in charge of matters related to commodities and human rights, with a special focus on the UNGP, the VP and ICoCA. Previously, Mr. Chenais worked as Principal Advisor on communities relations for the Simandou project at Rio Tinto. He also headed the mission of the International Organisation for Migrations in Guinea, in Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. He holds a Master’s Degree in Ethnology and in Management of International Organisations.

This is Mr. Chenais’ second consecutive term on the Board of Directors.

Representing the Government of the United States of America

Amanda Wall is the Assistant Legal Adviser for Management at the U.S. Department of State, where she oversees the Department’s legal practice in areas including diplomatic security, investigations and oversight, and Department operations. Previously, she has served as the Deputy Legal Advisor for the U.S. National Security Council staff and as an attorney-adviser at the U.S. Department of State, advising on international and domestic legal issues including use of military force and international humanitarian law, international human rights law and ethics. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Georgetown Law School. She is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, where she teaches International Human Rights Law and International Law and Use of Force.

This is Ms. Wall’s second consecutive term on the Board of Directors.

Representing Middle East, Asia and Australia

Dr. Shoujun Cui, is a Professor of international relations at School of International Studies, Renmin University of China (RUC), where he also serves as Deputy Dean of School of Global Governance, Director of the International Development Institute and Director of the Center for Middle East and African Studies. Research topcis that interest him include China’s foreign policy, China’s overseas interests protection, energy geopolitics and international organisation studies. He has conducted research on China’s “ Belt and Road Initiative”, China’s overseas interests protection, energy geopolitics, international organisations and global governance. Dr. Cui has been an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) visiting fellow to the U.S. Department of the State, and visiting fellow of EU Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange project. In the last decade, Dr.Cui has been actively involved in the research and activities of China’s private security companies.

Mr. Shou Jun was elected to serve a first 3-year term as a Board Director in December 2023.

Representing Africa

Mr. Amoyaw is privileged to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Security (LMS). He has spent nearly fourteen years in Africa and with the private sector, engaged in the mining sector with focus on CSR/CSI, health security, participating in high level dialogue with host governments, multilateral donors, including over ten years working in the private security industry in governance and strategic oversight roles.

He has attained a wealth of experience and expertise in understanding the African context, developing and executing successful strategies, and building resilient relationships with stakeholders across multiple sectors in such a resource-rich but often complex environment.

He holds a master’s degree and leadership certificate in International and European Security from the University of Geneva and Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) respectively; has a deep understanding of security and global public health issues, with an MPH from the University of Ghana, and a continuing study in Defence and International Politics at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

Mr. Amoyaw remains committed to encouraging dialogue and consultations between the public and private sector to further the development of innovative and effective security policies and global initiatives to promote responsible security on the African continent.

Mr. Amoyaw was elected to serve a first 3-year term as a Board Director in December 2022.

Representing Europe

Mr. Didier Ranchon serves as Vice-President of Institutional Affairs at AMARANTE International SAS. Since 2017, he has played a key role in advising the CEO on the Group’s entry into institutional markets and took over the management of the division in 2019.

With nearly twenty years of experience in operational security within the French Ministry of the Interior, he has worked in counter-narcotics, organised crime and international cooperation, including roles with SCTIP and EUROPOL. He later joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contributing to crisis management efforts in global emergencies such as evacuations in conflict zones and responses to health and natural disasters.

He holds a master’s degree from the Centre for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies (CEDS), specialising in the security of travellers and expatriates, and is a graduate of the Superior School of National Police Officers (ESIPN). He is also a recognised security expert for the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Mr. Ranchon was elected to serve a first 3-year term as a Board Director in January 2025.

Representing the Americas

Michelle Quinn is Senior Advisor at SOC, a Day & Zimmermann Company. She has worked in high-threat theatres and post-conflict operations for twenty years, providing a broad scope of security, training, operational, and logistics solutions for DOS, DOD, DOE and other government agencies. Supporting the private sector, Ms. Quinn is focused on critical U.S. Government missions and programmes with acute security needs, both CONUS and OCONUS.

Ms. Quinn was elected to serve a second 3-year term as a Board Director in December 2023.

Representing Civil Society

Vicky Bowman CMG has been the Director of Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) since July 2013, based in Yangon until November 2022, and currently based in London. She is a Senior Adviser at the Institute of Human Rights and Business (IHRB), serves as Independent Chair of the Global Network Initiative (GNI) and is an Honorary Senior Fellow of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law (BIICL).

From 2011-2013 she led global mining company Rio Tinto’s policy approach to transparency, human rights and resource nationalism/resource curse issues. She was Director of Global & Economic Issues and G8 sous-Sherpa for the United Kingdom from 2008-2011 and Head of the Southern Africa Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Government from 2006-2007. Ms. Bowman served as ambassador of the UK to Myanmar from 2002-2006 and as second secretary in the Embassy from 1990-1993. She has also worked in Brussels as Member of Cabinet of European Commissioner Chris Patten (1999-2002) and as press spokeswoman for the UK representation to the EU (1996-1999).

Ms. Bowman has an MA in Natural Sciences (Pathology) from University of Cambridge, holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Bradford, and is an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College.

Ms. Bowman was elected to serve a first 3-year term as a Board Director in August 2023.

Representing Civil Society

Representing Civil Society

Ms. De León was elected to serve a second 3-year term as a Board Director in December 2023.

Representing Civil Society

Caleb Wanga is Coordinator of Usalama Reforms Forum. An advocate of social justice with wide experience in community organising, peace building, conflict management, community safety, access to justice and environmental conservation, he has over 15 years in active engagement in policy and community oriented programmes through different organisations. Mr. Wanga has participated in the establishment of several networks like Usalama Forum and is also the regional coordinator of PeaceNet Kenya Nairobi region. He is a graduate in Diplomacy & International Relations from United States International University-Africa. He is a visiting trainer at the Kenya School of Government Crime and Violence training programme.

Mr. Wanga was elected to serve a second 3-year term as a Board Director in December 2022.