Chris
Torrens

Chris Torrens is a recognized expert and regular media commentator on China’s geopolitical and compliance risk issues. As the managing director of APCO’s Greater China operations, Chris brings unique insights to support both state-owned and private Chinese multinational companies operating globally, as well as foreign companies operating in China, advising on opportunities and challenges in the Chinese market, in particular in relation to geopolitical and regulatory risks.

Chris is a regular media commentator and has been interviewed by the BBC, CGTN, CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg. His articles have appeared in the Economist, People’s Daily, Financial Times and specialist publications and his book, Doing Business in China, was published by The Economist Group in 2010.

Before joining APCO, Chris worked at Control Risks for more than 20 years. He served as partner in the Greater China and North Asia region where he led the East China geomarket out of Shanghai before moving to Beijing to lead the North China geomarket. During this time, he oversaw the growth of the company’s Chinese client base. Before this role, Chris was based in London as the partner responsible for the Global Risk Analysis practice for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Chris served as a Shanghai-based associate director in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ advisory practice and as the Hong Kong-based head of research at Batey Burn, a UK government relations and public affairs consultancy, which was acquired by APCO in 1999.

Chris has lived in Greater China for nearly 25 years. He holds an MBA from the China-Europe International Business School, a BA Honours degree in Modern Chinese Studies from Leeds University and speaks Mandarin.

Chris currently serves as vice-chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China.