MAP’s core team is based in London. We work with a global network of Associates and Partners.

George Middleton, Director

George specialises in international trade, sustainable supply chains and the interface between government and business. He has extensive experience in private, public and not-for profit sectors, in the UK and internationally.

Since 2019, George has engaged privately with companies and governments across a range of sectors. He set-up MAP in 2021.

George began working with international business and government in 2011, on moving to Rio de Janeiro to manage UK’s major events handover, from London 2012 to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This position with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was followed by Country Deputy Director (2014-16), Deputy Trade Commissioner / Operations Director for Latin America & the Caribbean (2016-18), and Specialist (2018-19) roles with the UK’s Department for International Trade.

Before his seven years in Brazil, George managed Community Relations and Projects for the Olympic Delivery Authority (2008-11), which was responsible for the £9 billion build of venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games. Prior to that he was as a Project Management Consultant on infrastructure and regeneration programmes in and around London for Tribal Group (later Capita) plc (2005-08).

George was a member of the UK Department for Business and Trade’s Trade Advisory Groups (2021-2023).  He was trained in global leadership by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2015-16), and holds qualifications in project management (Prince2), business and technology (BSc). He has twice served as a Trustee, for Tribal Foundation and The Docklands Settlements. He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Beata Stepantchenko, Manager, Sustainable Trade and Government

Beata specialises in providing regulatory advice and developing sustainability policy and impact, in the UK and internationally. She is skilled at operating between businesses, investors and governments.

Since joining MAP in 2024, Beata has focused on strengthening the resilience, sustainability and growth of clients, centring on international trade and supply chains. 

Beata previously worked at Global Counsel, a political and strategic advisory firm (2021-24), to provide political and regulatory due diligence support and sustainability advice. She worked with clients ranging from private equity investors, financial institutions, corporates, to the public sector, in the UK, EU and US. This included her creating and leading a human rights due diligence offer, helping the private sector proactively manage and mitigate adverse human rights risks across their value chains.

Beata began her career working with investment banks, including Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs (2018-20), operating within trade support teams. She then moved into a research analyst role at Legatum Institute (2020-21), where she assessed the impact of the UK government’s ‘levelling-up agenda’. She completed a human rights due diligence course (2022) which, complementing her Master’s in Human Rights from the London School of Economics (2017-18), has deepened her understanding of ethics in government, the UK economy and international trade. 

Yasmin Lee Stremel Barros, Analyst

Yasmin specialises in sustainable socio-economic development, with a particular focus on Brazil and Latin America.

Yasmin re-joined MAP in 2024 as an Analyst, where she supports MAP’s work to strengthen the growth, resilience, and sustainability of clients. This includes work on market research, regulatory compliance and sustainable trade opportunities between the UK and Brazil.

Her wider experience includes the UK public sector, where she assisted the UK’s Trade Envoy to Brazil throughout 2023.

Yasmin is completing a Master’s degree in International Political Economy at King’s College London (2023-2024), which has deepened her understanding of international trade, and the economies of Brazil and the UK specifically. Additionally, she collaborated as an organiser of the 2024 Brazil Forum UK, further deepening her skills and networks.

Yasmin first worked for MAP in 2022 as an intern, while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Politics at Queen Mary University of London (2020-2023). During her internship, she contributed to MAP’s work for a global bank as well as trade relationships in a number of international markets, including in Europe, South America and the USA.