We deliver timely and well researched reports that clients rely upon to maximise opportunities, avoid potentially reputation-damaging associations or to gain competitive advantages.

Astra Diligence is an Oxford-based specialist due diligence consultancy focusing on East Asia, particularly China. We provide enhanced due diligence and research services in a total of five languages including Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and English. We are committed to deliver in-depth intelligence to our clients that help them navigate through regional complexity and unlock opportunities as they look to East Asia to unleash their full potential.

We specialise in enhanced due diligence, strategic intelligence, prospect research and risk analysis. Combining advanced open-source investigative skills, diverse linguistic capacities and an extensive network of contacts in Asia, we deliver timely and well researched reports that clients rely upon to maximise opportunities, avoid potentially reputation-damaging associations or to gain competitive advantages.

We provide a diverse range of research services our clients need, from swift and efficient negative media coverage check, to in-depth due diligence on high-net-worth individuals and corporations, to complex regulatory environment analyses and competitor mapping.

Our clients range from top-ranking universities, leading litigation support firms to some of the largest and most renowned business intelligence companies in the UK and overseas. We also provide tailored research services to small and medium-sized businesses.

Astra Diligence takes a collaborative approach in working with clients, focusing not only on what they want, but how they want it. We strive to push the boundaries of what can be achieved and offers a fresh perspective to due diligence and risk analysis on East Asia.

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Nan Nielsen is the founder and Managing Director of Astra Diligence. Nan is a polyglot investigator and analyst with extensive experience working for both the private sector and the higher education industry including the University of Oxford on East Asia-focused complex investigations and due diligence projects.

A native Mandarin speaker with fluent command of English, Japanese and Spanish, Nan has led on countless Asia-related due diligence and investigations projects across a wide range of industries such as higher education, manufacturing, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and financial services for clients ranging international banks, law firms, hedge funds and globally renowned universities.

Nan serves as an independent consultant for several leading UK consultancies that are highly ranked by Chambers and Partners.

Previously, she was Prospect Research Officer - China Specialist at the University of Oxford’s Development Office where she was responsible for carrying out in-depth multilingual due diligence, prospect research, and risk assessment of high net worth individuals, government entities, corporations, trusts and foundations – particularly those from Greater China, Japan and South Korea – with whom the University will aim to establish significant philanthropic relationships and/or high-level research partnerships. Nan was a member of Oxford's China Interest Group, which includes heads of divisions, leading academics and international strategy officers who collectively advise on the University's China strategy. In April 2019, Nan received the Award of Excellence from the Oxford University Development Office which recognised that she had consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in all key areas of her role. 

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Nan began her career as an Asia-focused research analyst at a UK business intelligence company, providing a range of investigations and due diligence services to European banks and multinational corporations.

Nan holds an MA in International Relations and Spanish from the University of St Andrews and a BA in Advanced Japanese Studies and Chinese Studies from the University of New South Wales. She also completed a management course from Harvard Business School online. In 2020, she received intensive training on advanced open source investigation techniques from the British investigative firm Bellingcat.

CORE STRENGTHS

SERVICES

Due diligence

• Business partner due diligence 

• Prospective donor due diligence

• Third party due diligence

• Recruitment-related due diligence

• Global sanctions and blacklists check

• Judgement record check (Chinese entities and individuals)

• Asset freeze record check (Chinese entities and individuals)

• Official disciplinary action record check (Chinese entities and individuals)

• Public procurement-related activities check (Chinese entities)

• Advanced OSINT training

• Other tailored due diligence services 

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Prospect Research

•  Source of wealth research

• Chinese charitable organisation research

• Corporate affiliations mapping

• Philanthropic record research

• Business network mapping

• Gift capacity assessment

• Identification of Asian alumni that are high net worth individuals and/or serve in senior positions of prominent companies

• Political risk analysis 

• Negative media coverage research  

• Other tailored prospect research services

Strategic intelligence

• Sector and industry analysis 

• Stakeholder mapping

• Competitor research 

• Business development strategy research  

• Regulatory environment research

• Identification of investment and business partnership opportunities in China and major global economies 

• Chinese news and media monitoring 

• Other tailored strategic intelligence services