Mark J. FiNlay - The City Consultant
Mark J. FiNlay - The City Consultant
  • Home
  • About Mark
    • Biography
    • US and UK
    • Projects and Portfolio
  • Speaker and Media
  • The Problems We Solve
    • The problems we solve
    • GeoPolitical Advisors
    • Discreet Diplomacy
    • Ports & Infrastructure
    • The City Consultant
  • Diplomatique™
    • Diplomatique™ Dispatches
  • More
    • Home
    • About Mark
      • Biography
      • US and UK
      • Projects and Portfolio
    • Speaker and Media
    • The Problems We Solve
      • The problems we solve
      • GeoPolitical Advisors
      • Discreet Diplomacy
      • Ports & Infrastructure
      • The City Consultant
    • Diplomatique™
      • Diplomatique™ Dispatches
  • Home
  • About Mark
    • Biography
    • US and UK
    • Projects and Portfolio
  • Speaker and Media
  • The Problems We Solve
    • The problems we solve
    • GeoPolitical Advisors
    • Discreet Diplomacy
    • Ports & Infrastructure
    • The City Consultant
  • Diplomatique™
    • Diplomatique™ Dispatches
What problems do we solve? - and Where do you fit in?

We help leaders and institutions navigate complex, high-stakes moments when clarity, trust, and moral authority are needed most. 

Retain Guiding Principles ™ Services

Our four offerings address specific kinds of problems:

Guiding Principles ™ guidingprinciples.us

Discreet Diplomacy ™ discreetdiplomacy.com

Discreet Diplomacy ™ discreetdiplomacy.com

Provides retained counsel and board-level wisdom to help leaders act decisively, ethically, and with lasting impact.

Problems We Solve:

  • CEOs and principals navigating transitions, crises, or moral dilemmas who need a trusted, outside voice
  • Boards and leadership teams that have lost alignment and require ethical clarity and strategic focus
  • Visionary leaders who feel isolated at the top and need discreet, steady counsel to act with integrity under pressure
  • Complex geopolitical or government affairs that demand informed, values-based navigation
  • Corporate governance and ethical responsibility requiring principled guidance and accountability
  • Economic development projects—delivered end-to-end, from vision to execution
  • Leadership challenges requiring discretion, empathy, and an understanding of cultural and political nuance


When leadership demands courage and clarity—call on us to help deliver what others cannot.

Retain Guiding Principles ™ Services

Discreet Diplomacy ™ discreetdiplomacy.com

Discreet Diplomacy ™ discreetdiplomacy.com

Discreet Diplomacy ™ discreetdiplomacy.com

Offers high-trust representation and backchannel engagement when stakes are high and silence is golden.

Problems We Solve:

  • Fractured relationships between suppliers and customers, institutions, communities, or governments that require careful repair and restoration of confidence
  • Special projects where we are deployed to secure our clients’ interests, protect reputations, and support their personnel in complex environments
  • Leaders or organizations needing a trusted emissary to act on their behalf in sensitive, non-public or cross-border engagements
  • Situations where formal diplomatic channels are unavailable and quiet, principled dialogue is the only way forward
  • Strategic communications and conflict de-escalation requiring discretion, empathy, and an understanding of cultural and political nuance


When discretion, discernment, and results matter most—call on us to restore trust and move negotiations forward.

Deploy Discreet Diplomacy ™

We Write Wrongs ™ WeWriteWrongs.com - $399 TRIAL

Diplomatique ™ Dispatches diplomatique.us - SUBSCRIBE

Diplomatique ™ Dispatches diplomatique.us - SUBSCRIBE

We help high-level leaders reclaim their voice and restore trust through strategic storytelling and moral clarity.


Problems We Solve:

- When Leaders feel misunderstood, misrepresented, or misquoted


- Organizations need help writing a keynote, legacy message, or turnaround narrative


- A pivotal speech or communication moment is approaching, and the words don’t yet match the weight of the moment


- There’s a crisis of trust—internally or externally—and language must lead the way to restoration


WeWriteWrongs.com

Diplomatique ™ Dispatches diplomatique.us - SUBSCRIBE

Diplomatique ™ Dispatches diplomatique.us - SUBSCRIBE

Diplomatique ™ Dispatches diplomatique.us - SUBSCRIBE

Offers high-trust insights for leaders navigating complexity—delivering actionable, values-aligned analysis in real time.


Problems We Solve:

- Executives, diplomats, and global leaders are overwhelmed by noise and lack principled intelligence


- We deliver real-time rapid-response dispatches on global developments to assist the executives who need to move fast


- Strategic decisions are made in isolation, without trusted analysis grounded in values, not ideology


- There's a need to understand emerging risks, align trends with purpose, and think geopolitically with discernment

Subscribe to Diplomatique ™ Dispatches

In action, inpromptu, and on deployment

Geopolitics | Strategic Partnerships | Deal Support

Experience of development in multiple countries, often working with government and community leaders, coupled with experience in peace and post-conflict transformation prepared me to work in sometimes discrete and sometimes public diplomatic efforts.

Trade, Partnerships and Deal Support

Public Affairs | Investor Relations

Our emphasis is on truth and trust. 

A lesson I was taught in the early days of the Northern Ireland peace process was the need to "keep turning up." Diplomacy - whether involving peace-making, corporate dispute resolution, or investor relations requires the investment of time and intentional relationship management.


We help leadership craft investor messaging that aligns moral authority with market credibility—building trust not just through performance, but through purpose, principle, and strategic foresight.


Where PR manages perception, our public affairs and investor communications articulate conviction—reframing challenges, articulating long-term value, and reinforcing trust with capital partners who care not just about results, but about integrity and leadership.

geopolitical advisors

Public Speaking

Some have generously described my style as that of an Irish Seanachaí, a storyteller and elder who imparts wisdom through the oral tradition. I strive to weave together Irish wit and wisdom while delivering on the "3 E's"—the essential elements of educating, entertaining, and evoking emotion.  


I relish the opportunity to engage with both large and intimate audiences, and I have been fortunate to speak in a variety of unique venues. For instance, in the clip above, I was invited to deliver impromptu welcome remarks in the House of Lords in London.  


My role is more often behind the scenes, where I prepare remarks for leaders to deliver. I would welcome the opportunity to assist you in preparing for an engagement or a looming critical presentation.


Let us help you prepare to knock it out of the park!
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Copyright © 2024 MarkJFinlay  |  markjfinlay.com  |  Guiding Principles ™ |  diplomatique ™ | WeWriteWrongs ™ | Discreet Diplomacy ™ - All Rights Reserved.


Diplomatique Dispatches™

"Strategic briefings for leaders in uncertain times."
A premium intelligence and commentary product:


  • Monthly newsletter - interviews with leaders; in market/theater intel; opportunity tracker.
  • Actionable Insights
  • Intermittent rapid response dispatches on global developments.

Who is it for:

  • Global executives - Chairs, CEO, C-Suite
  • National leaders, policy advisors, Diplomats
  • Trade and Business Development specialists
  • Private Equity, VC, and Institutional Investors
  • Not-for-profit organizations and missions

SUBSCRIBE: Diplomatique™