Academy | KnightsbridgeSG

The Knightsbridge Academy

The Knightsbridge Academy was established to prepare the staff of Knightsbridge’s clients in both government and the private sector to operate in environments shaped by geopolitics. Our clients operate across sectors where geopolitical developments directly shape strategy and decision-making, including government, finance, energy, extractives, technology, security and defence. The Academy was created to help develop the skills required in these environments, including strategic thinking, wargaming, geopolitical strategy, intelligence and the ability to navigate complex international developments.

The six programmes (listed below) offered by the Academy draw directly on the experience of the Knightsbridge Strategic Group working with governments, international organisations, and private-sector clients. They focus on the practical disciplines as opposed to theory.

Academy programmes are designed to support the professional development of individuals working within organisations that Knightsbridge works with already. However, we also accept applications from individuals outside our client base. This allows participation by students, professionals and those seeking to career transition into fields such as:

Diplomacy and foreign policy
National security and defence
Intelligence and strategic analysis
Homeland security
Economic security
Geopolitical risk analysis
Corporate strategy and geopolitical advisory roles

The Academy also maintains a small philanthropic fund that allows ten participants per year to attend programmes without paying the course fee. These places are intended for applicants who are self-funding their participation, including students and early-career professionals who are not receiving institutional support. Applicants whose organisations provide training or professional development budgets are encouraged to seek university, government, or corporate funding to support their participation.

Participants who successfully complete a programme will receive a professional certification from the Knightsbridge Strategic Group.

Professional Certificate in Strategic Wargaming for National Security, Defence and Foreign Policy

Programme Overview

Strategic wargaming is a crucial tool used by departments of defence, foreign affairs, homeland security, the armed forces, national security councils, intelligence agencies, treasuries and central banks. The tool allows officials to:

Develop strategy
Test and expose policy to challenge
Compare courses of action
Anticipate escalation
Horizon scan
Think several steps ahead of the adversary
Increase national resilience and civil preparedness
Ensure that governments and institutions have options available before a crisis begins

Strategic wargaming is also utilised by Knightsbridge with clients in finance, energy, technology and extractive industries. This course is dedicated to governmental applications only. This programme is designed to give participants an understanding of how strategic wargaming works, but most importantly, prepare them with the practical ability to begin designing and executing wargames themselves. Participants will play in a wargame facilitated by the CEO of Knightsbridge based on those that have been delivered for NATO and the individual nations. The wargame will centre around US national security responses to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Crucially, participants will also be required to design their own strategic wargame and execute it with the rest of their cohort to fulfil a strategic objective.

Students successful in passing the course will receive a professional certification in Wargaming for National Security, Defence and Foreign Policy from the Knightsbridge Strategic Group.

Programme Facilitator

The programme is facilitated directly by the CEO of KSG, Finley Grimble. Before founding KSG, Finley served the UK Parliament, Cabinet Office, Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence as a strategist, intelligence official, wargamer and diplomat. This included working to the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, National Security Advisor and National Security Council. Finley founded KSG to bring his experience in diplomacy, intelligence, wargaming and strategizing for the UK Government to a wider audience. He has advised and created wargames for the highest level of decision making for several Western governments, NATO, and for some of the largest international companies in the world.

Who This Programme Is For

Policy and strategy professionals working in national security, defence, foreign affairs, treasury, homeland security, and related government functions
Members of the intelligence community
Military officers and defence planners
Analysts and researchers in think tanks
Professionals working on geopolitical risk in energy, economics, or strategic policy roles
Students of international relations, intelligence, security studies, diplomacy, history, and related fields

Learning Outcomes

Having completed the programme, participants will:

Understand how strategic wargaming is used across government entities
Understand how wargaming supports strategy development, horizon scanning, policy testing, preparedness, defence planning and crisis planning
Be able to design a structured geopolitical strategic wargame
Be better able to think several turns ahead in government policy and strategy contexts
Strengthen their ability to carry out horizon scanning and strategic foresight
Improve their ability to provide stronger policy and strategy advice to ministers, senior officials, and decision-makers

This programme is designed to make participants more effective in roles where they are expected to think ahead, prepare options, and contribute to strategy and policy on major national security, defence, and foreign affairs issues.

Programme Structure and Time Commitment

The programme is delivered entirely remotely, allowing participants from across the world to take part. It combines preparatory reading, live instruction, and extensive practical strategic simulation exercises.

Participants will complete the following stages:

Weeks 1–2 — Pre-Reading

Participants complete a short reading pack introducing strategic wargaming, how governments use wargames, and how they are structured.

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 3 — Lecture and Seminar

A live online lecture and seminar introducing strategic wargaming, scenario design, and its role in national security decision-making (delivered by the Knightsbridge CEO).

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 4 — Facilitated Strategic Wargame

Participants take part in a full multi-turn wargame facilitated by the Knightsbridge CEO, based on the actual methods used in government and defence environments.

Time commitment: ~4 hours

Weeks 5–10 — Wargame Design Preparation

Participants design their own multi-turn strategic wargame.

Time commitment: ~14 hours

Weeks 11-12 — Cohort Wargame Exercises

Participants execute and participate in wargames designed by members of their cohort.

Time commitment: ~12 hours

Total Programme Commitment: ~36 hours across the programme.

Course Dates

Participants may apply to attend one of the following cohorts:

Monday 6 July – Friday 25 September 2026
Application deadline: 1 May 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 3 August – Friday 23 October 2026
Application deadline: 1 June 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 7 September – Friday 27 November 2026
Application deadline: 30 June 2026 (open to applicants)
Monday 2 November 2026 – Friday 22 January 2027
Application deadline: 1 September 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 1 February – Friday 23 April 2027
Application deadline: 30 November 2026 (open to applicants)
Monday 15 March – Friday 4 June 2027
Application deadline: 15 January 2027 (fully reserved)
Monday 3 May – Friday 23 July 2027
Application deadline: 31 January 2027 (open to applicants)
Monday 12 July – Friday 1 October 2027
Application deadline: 15 May 2027 (fully reserved)
Monday 6 September – Friday 26 November 2027
Application deadline: 30 June 2027 (open to applicants)

How to Apply and Fees

Applications are assessed based on the applicant’s:

Academic and/or professional background
Demonstrated interest in national security, international affairs, economics, defence, and strategic policy
Overall suitability for the programme.

Programme Fee: £700

To apply for the programme, applicants should submit to academy@knightsbridgesg.com:

A current CV
A short statement (maximum 300 words) outlining:

Their background and experience
Why they would like to participate in the programme
How they hope to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the course in the future
What they believe they would bring to the course and cohort discussion

Please include the programme title and start date in the subject line of the application email.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that their information will be processed in accordance with the Knightsbridge Strategic Group Privacy Policy

Any questions can be directed to academy@knightsbridgesg.com

Professional Certificate in Corporate Intelligence Analysis

Programme Overview

Intelligence analysis is an increasingly important capability for organisations operating in complex and uncertain global environments. While intelligence analysis is often associated with government agencies, it is increasingly used across the private sector. Industries including finance, energy, defence, technology, logistics, transportation, and extractive sectors all employ analysts to assess geopolitical risk, political developments, regulatory change, and emerging strategic threats.

Corporate intelligence teams help organisations anticipate developments that may affect markets, investments, supply chains, and operations. Their work allows decision-makers to:

Understand geopolitical and political risk
Assess emerging strategic threats
Analyse developments affecting markets, industries and operations
Make better strategic decisions
Anticipate crises and disruption
Identify opportunities and vulnerabilities

Intelligence professionals working in corporate environments must combine structured analytical methods with strong research, stakeholder management, writing, and briefing skills. This programme introduces participants to the fundamentals of professional intelligence analysis and the methods used in corporate intelligence and geopolitical risk analysis. Participants will learn how intelligence organisations collect, analyse, and present information, and how those methods are applied in private sector environments. The course focuses not only on understanding intelligence methods but also on developing the practical analytical and writing skills required for intelligence analysis roles. Participants will take part in practical analytical exercises and will produce their own structured intelligence assessments.

Students successful in passing the course will receive a professional certification in Corporate Intelligence from the Knightsbridge Strategic Group.

Programme Facilitator

The programme is facilitated directly by the CEO of KSG, Finley Grimble. Before founding KSG, Finley served the UK Parliament, Cabinet Office, Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence as a strategist, intelligence official, wargamer and diplomat. This included working to the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, National Security Advisor and National Security Council. Finley founded KSG to bring his experience in diplomacy, intelligence, wargaming and strategizing for the UK Government to a wider audience. He has advised and created wargames for the highest level of decision making for several Western governments, NATO, and for some of the largest international companies in the world.

Who This Programme Is For

Individuals working in corporate intelligence, geopolitical risk, and strategic analysis
Students of international relations, political science, economics, security studies, and related fields
Analysts seeking to develop stronger research, analytical and briefing skills
Professionals interested in transitioning into intelligence or geopolitical risk analysis, particularly government intelligence to corporate

Learning Outcomes

Understand how intelligence analysis is conducted in a government context, and how it differs in corporate environments
Learn how organisations gather, assess, and interpret information relating to geopolitical, political, and economic developments
Develop the ability to analyse complex developments and identify risks, opportunities, and strategic implications for companies
Understand what corporate decision-makers need from intelligence and how intelligence can support business strategy and competitive advantage
Develop the ability to present intelligence clearly and succinctly so it can be used by senior leaders when making strategic decisions

By the end of the programme, participants will have developed the analytical, research, and briefing skills required to function effectively as intelligence analysts supporting corporate organisations operating in complex geopolitical and economic environments.

Programme Structure and Time Commitment

The programme is delivered entirely remotely, allowing participants from across the world to take part. It combines preparatory reading, live instruction, and practical analytical exercises.

Participants will complete the following stages:

Weeks 1–2 — Pre-Reading

Participants complete a short reading pack introducing intelligence analysis, analytical methods, and the role of intelligence in government and corporate environments.

Time commitment: ~4 hours

Week 3 — Lecture and Seminar

A live online lecture and seminar introducing the fundamentals of intelligence analysis, including research methods, structured analytical techniques, and intelligence reporting.

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 4 — Intelligence Analysis Workshop

Participants take part in a practical analytical exercise examining a geopolitical or economic development and its implications for corporate decision-making.

Time commitment: ~5 hours

Weeks 5–10 — Intelligence Assessment Preparation

Participants produce their own structured intelligence assessment examining a geopolitical, economic or strategic development affecting business or markets.

Time commitment: ~12 hours

Weeks 11–12 — Cohort Analysis Exercises

Participants present and discuss their intelligence assessments, examining how different analytical approaches can inform strategic decision-making.

Time commitment: ~2 hours

Total Programme Commitment: ~26 hours across the programme.

Course Dates

Participants may apply to attend one of the following cohorts:

Monday 6 July – Friday 25 September 2026
Application deadline: 1 May 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 3 August – Friday 23 October 2026
Application deadline: 1 June 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 7 September – Friday 27 November 2026
Application deadline: 30 June 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 2 November 2026 – Friday 22 January 2027
Application deadline: 1 September 2026 (open to applicants)
Monday 1 February – Friday 23 April 2027
Application deadline: 30 November 2026 (open to applicants)
Monday 15 March – Friday 4 June 2027
Application deadline: 15 January 2027 (fully reserved)
Monday 3 May – Friday 23 July 2027
Application deadline: 31 January 2027 (open to applicants)
Monday 12 July – Friday 1 October 2027
Application deadline: 15 May 2027 (fully reserved)
Monday 6 September – Friday 26 November 2027
Application deadline: 30 June 2027 (fully reserved)

How to Apply and Fees

Applications are assessed based on the applicant’s:

Academic and/or professional background
Demonstrated interest in corporate intelligence, geopolitical risk, business strategy, and the analysis of political and economic developments affecting companies and markets
Overall suitability for the programme.

Programme Fee: £700

To apply for the programme, applicants should submit to academy@knightsbridgesg.com:

A current CV
A short statement (maximum 300 words) outlining:

Their background and experience
Why they would like to participate in the programme
How they hope to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the course in the future
What they believe they would bring to the course and cohort discussion

Please include the programme title and start date in the subject line of the application email.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that their information will be processed in accordance with the Knightsbridge Strategic Group Privacy Policy

Any questions can be directed to academy@knightsbridgesg.com

Professional Certificate in Political Warfare and Strategic Statecraft

Programme Overview

Knightsbridge’s government clients increasingly recognise that they are competing in an environment where political warfare and strategic statecraft are central instruments of power. In recent years, officials and analysts across NATO and allied governments have publicly acknowledged that adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran have demonstrated superior sophistication in using political, economic, informational, and indirect tools to pursue strategic advantage over the West.

These campaigns rarely take the form of conventional military confrontation. Instead, they operate persistently below the threshold of war, shaping political environments, influencing decision-making, and gradually shifting the strategic balance.

Political warfare and strategic statecraft involve:

Narrative shaping and influence operations, including propaganda, disinformation, and strategic communications designed to shape public opinion, elite debate, and international legitimacy
Reflexive control, where adversaries deliberately manipulate information, signals, and political dynamics in order to influence how rival governments perceive events and make decisions, effectively guiding opponents into taking actions that ultimately advance the adversary’s own strategic objectives over several moves
Strategic deception and perception management, designed to distort how adversaries interpret intentions, capabilities, and risks in order to shape their strategic behaviour
Covert political influence, including the cultivation of networks, elite capture, political financing, and indirect pressure on political systems
Economic coercion, including sanctions, trade pressure, financial leverage, and restrictions on access to markets, capital, and global financial infrastructure
Strategic investment, foreign aid, and economic partnerships, used to build political influence and long-term dependency
Control of critical resources, supply chains, and strategic industries, including energy, critical minerals, advanced technology, and strategic infrastructure
Alliance-building and institutional influence, shaping regional political orders and international institutions in ways that reinforce geopolitical advantage
Special operations, proxy actors, and political destabilisation, including support to opposition movements, insurgencies, or in extreme cases attempts to engineer regime change or coups
Market access, investment, and trade relationships used as geopolitical tools, shaping the economic environment in ways that advance long-term strategic objectives

Participants will examine how states use these instruments to shape the international environment, how adversaries apply concepts such as reflexive control and strategic manipulation, and how governments can better recognise, counter, and respond to such strategies.

The objective of the programme is to equip participants with the ability to regain strategic advantage in environments where geopolitical competition increasingly takes place through influence, economic leverage, and indirect power rather than conventional conflict.

Programme Facilitator

The programme is facilitated directly by the CEO of KSG, Finley Grimble. Before founding KSG, Finley served the UK Parliament, Cabinet Office, Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence as a strategist, intelligence official, wargamer and diplomat. This included working to the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, National Security Advisor and National Security Council. Finley founded KSG to bring his experience in diplomacy, intelligence, wargaming and strategizing for the UK Government to a wider audience. He has advised and created wargames for the highest level of decision making for several Western governments, NATO, and for some of the largest international companies in the world.

Who This Programme Is For

Policy and strategy professionals working in national security, defence, foreign affairs, economic security, and related government functions
Diplomats, particularly those working in roles related to adversarial nations such as Iran, Russia and China
Intelligence Officials
Officials and staff working in international organisations, including NATO, the European Union, and other multilateral institutions
Military officers and defence planners seeking to better understand political warfare and strategic competition below the threshold of conflict
Professionals working in strategic industries, including finance, energy, technology, and extractive sectors exposed to geopolitical competition
Analysts and researchers in think tanks and policy institutes examining international security and geopolitical competition
Students of international relations, geopolitics, diplomacy, and strategic studies seeking to prepare for positions in the aforementioned fields

Learning Outcomes

Understand how political warfare functions as an instrument of modern statecraft, and how states compete strategically below the threshold of armed conflict
Unravel the strategic logic behind these campaigns, including how adversaries combine political, economic, informational, and indirect instruments of power into long-term strategic efforts, and how concepts such as reflexive control are used to manipulate the perceptions and decisions of rival governments over multiple moves
Develop the strategic judgement required to counter political warfare campaigns, strengthening the ability of governments and institutions to retain strategic advantage in geopolitical competition

Programme Structure and Time Commitment

The programme is delivered entirely remotely, allowing participants from across the world to take part. It combines preparatory reading, live instruction, and structured strategic discussion examining how political warfare operates in modern geopolitical competition and how governments can respond.

Participants will complete the following stages:

Weeks 1–2 — Pre-Reading

Participants complete a reading pack introducing political warfare, strategic statecraft, and the tools states use to shape geopolitical environments short of open conflict. The material will examine how adversaries employ these methods and will also introduce the strategic approaches governments use to recognise, counter, and respond to such campaigns.

Time commitment: ~7 hours

Week 3 — Lecture and Seminar: Understanding Adversary Methods

A live online lecture and seminar examining how rival states conduct political warfare campaigns. The session will explore the strategic tools adversaries use to influence political systems, shape narratives, apply economic leverage, and manipulate the decision-making of rival governments.

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 4 — Lecture and Seminar: Countering Political Warfare

A second lecture and seminar examining how governments and institutions respond to political warfare campaigns. Participants will explore strategies used to counter influence operations, resist economic coercion, strengthen alliances, and retain strategic advantage in geopolitical competition.

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Weeks 5–10 — Strategic Policy Paper

Participants will be presented with a geopolitical scenario in which they are working for a Western government or NATO and are confronted with a political warfare campaign conducted by a rival state. Participants will be required to produce a strategic policy paper outlining how their government or institution should respond to the campaign and regain strategic advantage.

Time commitment: ~15 hours

Weeks 11–12 — Cohort Strategic Discussion

Participants will meet to discuss their policy papers and strategic approaches to the scenario, examining different methods governments might employ to counter political warfare campaigns.

Time commitment: ~2 hours

Total Programme Commitment: ~30 hours across the programme.

Course dates

Participants may apply to attend one of the following cohorts:

Monday 4 May – Friday 24 July 2026
Application deadline: 1 March 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 1 June – Friday 21 August 2026
Application deadline: 1 April 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 3 August – Friday 23 October 2026
Application deadline: 1 June 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 5 October – Friday 25 December 2026
Application deadline: 1 August 2026 (open to applicants)
Monday 2 November 2026 – Friday 22 January 2027
Application deadline: 1 September 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 7 December 2026 – Friday 26 February 2027
Application deadline: 1 October 2026 (open to applicants)
Monday 4 January – Friday 26 March 2027
Application deadline: 1 November 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 1 February – Friday 23 April 2027
Application deadline: 1 December 2026 (open to applicants)
Monday 1 March – Friday 21 May 2027
Application deadline: 1 January 2027 (open to applicants)
Monday 3 May – Friday 23 July 2027
Application deadline: 1 March 2027 (fully reserved)
Monday 5 July – Friday 24 September 2027
Application deadline: 1 May 2027 (fully reserved)
Monday 6 September – Friday 26 November 2027
Application deadline: 1 July 2027 (fully reserved)

How to Apply and Fees

Applications are assessed based on the applicant’s:

Academic and/or professional background
Demonstrated interest in politics, economics, defence, international affairs, national security and strategic policy
Overall suitability for the programme.

Programme Fee: £700

To apply for the programme, applicants should submit to academy@knightsbridgesg.com:

A current CV
A short statement (maximum 300 words) outlining:

Their background and experience
Why they would like to participate in the programme
How they hope to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the course in the future
What they believe they would bring to the course and cohort discussion

Please include the programme title and start date in the subject line of the application email.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that their information will be processed in accordance with the Knightsbridge Strategic Group Privacy Policy

Any questions can be directed to academy@knightsbridgesg.com

Professional Certificate in Strategic-Operational Wargaming, Campaign Planning and AI Integration

Programme Overview

The design of decisive military campaigns against adversaries such as Russia, Iran and China is becoming increasingly essential for KSG clients. Decisive military campaigns cannot be constructed and executed without strategic operational wargaming, the essential tool used by defence organisations to bring together intelligence, planning, force design, and decision-making into a coherent campaign approach.

This programme is designed to give participants these skills in design, execution and analysis over a 5-day intensive course. Through structured, adversarial wargaming, participants will design and test military campaigns across real-world scenarios such as:

NATO defence planning involving Russia
A Chinese invasion of Taiwan and a US intervention
Military and economic security operations in the Strait of Hormuz involving Iran and its proxies

This programme is focused specifically on military-oriented wargaming. It will also provide training on ‘ensuring that military campaigns are centred around achieving a political objective’ (and complement economic and diplomatic strategy). Therefore, a core focus of the programme is how modern military campaigns bring together the full spectrum of capabilities into a single, coherent operational design. Participants will explore how intelligence, special forces, conventional land forces, naval power, air operations, cyber capabilities, space-based assets, and long-range precision strike systems are integrated to achieve decisive effects and objectives.

The programme will also introduce how AI can be used to support the design, execution, and analysis of strategic operational wargames. Participants will explore how AI tools can assist in scenario generation, adversary modelling, decision-support, and post-game analysis.

Programme Facilitator

This programme is facilitated by a team from the Knightsbridge Strategic Group with expertise in intelligence, defence planning, national security, and strategic operational wargaming. The facilitation team brings experience from working across NATO and several allied nations.

Who This Programme Is For

Professionals working in defence, military, intelligence, or national security roles
Policy and strategy professionals who require a stronger understanding of defence and campaign planning (including diplomats, national resilience experts and energy policymakers)
Students and early-career professionals seeking to enter defence, intelligence, or national security careers

Learning Outcomes

Having completed the programme, participants will be able to:

Establish realistic political objectives and translate them into executable military campaigns
Design and run strategic operational wargames focused on major conflict scenarios, including NATO–Russia, Taiwan, and the Strait of Hormuz
Develop the ability to structure and test campaign plans against adaptive adversaries
Assess escalation dynamics, operational risk, and constraints within complex conflict environments
Gain practical experience facilitating multi-turn, decision-driven wargames
Understand how AI can enhance the design, execution, and analysis of wargames

Programme Structure and Time Commitment

Participants will receive 3 hours of pre-reading in advance of the course, covering the principles of strategic operational wargaming, campaign planning, and adversary modelling.

The programme is delivered through an intensive five-day in-person course. Participants will build, challenge, and refine military campaigns through structured, adversarial exercises, culminating in the design and execution of their own wargames. The course is designed to be highly practical, with a strong emphasis on applying concepts in realistic defence scenarios rather than theoretical instruction.

Course Locations and Dates

KSG runs this course in several global locations to allow its clients’ staffs to participate. Participants may apply to attend one of the following cohorts:

London - 7-11 September 2026 (open to applicants)
Brussels -14-18 September 2026 (open to applicants)
Paris - 21-25 September 2026 (open to applicants)
Brussels - 5-9 October 2026 (fully reserved)
Paris - 12-16 October 2026 (fully reserved)
Abu Dhabi - 5-9 October 2026 (open to applicants)
Riyadh - 12-16 October 2026 (fully reserved)
Washington, D.C. - 19-23 April 2027 (open to applicants)
Washington, D.C. - 26-30 April 2027 (fully reserved)
Tokyo - 17-21 May 2027 (fully reserved)
London - 7-11 June 2027 (fully reserved)
London - 14-18 June 2027 (open to applicants)
Brussels – 21-25 June 2027 (fully reserved)
Washington, D.C. - 5-9 July 2027 (fully reserved)
Washington, D.C. - 12-16 July 2027 (open to applicants)
Washington, D.C. - 19-23 July 2027 (fully reserved)
Rome - 2-6 August 2027 (open to applicants)
Rome - 16-20 August 2027 (fully reserved)
Madrid - 23-17 August 2027 (fully reserved)
Madrid - 6-10 September 2027 (open to applicants)
Berlin - 1-5 November 2027 (Fully reserved)
Berlin - 10-14 November 2027 (fully reserved)

More dates will be made available for 2027 in the coming months.

How to Apply and Fees

Applications are assessed based on the applicant’s:

Academic and/or professional background
Demonstrated interest in politics, defence, international affairs, national security and strategic policy
Overall suitability for the programme.

Programme Fee: £3,500

To apply for the programme, applicants should submit to academy@knightsbridgesg.com:

A current CV
A short statement (maximum 300 words) outlining:

Their background and experience
Why they would like to participate in the programme
How they hope to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the course in the future
What they believe they would bring to the course and cohort discussion

Please include the programme title and start date in the subject line of the application email.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that their information will be processed in accordance with the Knightsbridge Strategic Group Privacy Policy

Any questions can be directed to academy@knightsbridgesg.com

Professional Certificate in Strategic Wargaming for Geopolitical Risk in Finance

Programme Overview

Financial markets are increasingly shaped by geopolitical shocks such as:

wars and military escalation
sanctions regimes and financial restrictions
energy and commodity supply shocks
trade fragmentation and protectionism
technological decoupling
supply chain disruptions
resource nationalism and export controls
crises affecting global shipping routes

Strategic wargaming is a tool designed to allow organisations to explore geopolitical risks several turns into the future, whereas traditional risk models often struggle to capture these complex dynamics. This programme will teach participants how to design, execute and analyse strategic geopolitical wargames themselves, allowing them to apply the methodology within financial institutions, research environments, or investment teams.

The programme will utilise actual case studies and methods that the Knightsbridge Strategic Group employs for strategic wargaming with its clients in investment banking, hedge funds, asset management, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, commodity trading and family offices.

Through structured simulations and decision-making exercises, participants will also strengthen their ability to think several steps ahead during rapidly evolving geopolitical crises. This approach helps analysts, investors, and strategists anticipate second- and third-order effects on commodities, currencies, supply chains, and financial markets, improving their ability to assess risk and make more informed decisions in finance-related roles.

Students successful in passing the course will receive a professional certification in Strategic Wargaming for Geopolitical Risk in Finance from the Knightsbridge Strategic Group.

Programme Facilitator

The programme is facilitated directly by the CEO of KSG, Finley Grimble. Before founding KSG, Finley served the UK Parliament, Cabinet Office, Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence as a strategist, intelligence official, wargamer and diplomat. This included working to the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, National Security Advisor and National Security Council. Finley founded KSG to bring his experience in diplomacy, intelligence, wargaming and strategizing for the UK Government to a wider audience. He has advised and created wargames for the highest level of decision making for several Western governments, NATO, and for some of the largest international companies in the world.

Who This Programme Is For

Professionals working in investment banks, hedge funds, asset management firms, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, commodity trading and family offices
Analysts and researchers in economic research institutes and financial think tanks
Policy professionals working on economic security, trade, sanctions policy, or international economic strategy
Students of economics, finance, international political economy, international relations, and related fields

Learning Outcomes

Understand how strategic wargaming can be applied to financial and economic risk analysis
Understand how geopolitical crises affect markets, commodities, currencies and supply chains
Be able to design a structured geopolitical wargame examining financial market disruption
Strengthen their ability to think several steps ahead during geopolitical crises and anticipate second and third order market effects
Develop stronger strategic judgement when analysing geopolitical risk in financial contexts
Gain the practical ability to design and execute strategic wargames themselves

This programme is designed to make participants more effective in roles where they are expected to anticipate geopolitical disruption, analyse risk and support decision-making within financial institutions and investment environments.

Programme Structure and Time Commitment

The programme is delivered entirely remotely, allowing participants from across the world to take part. It combines preparatory reading, live instruction, and extensive practical strategic simulation exercises.

Participants will complete the following stages:

Weeks 1–2 — Pre-Reading

Participants complete a short reading pack introducing geopolitical risk in financial markets, strategic wargaming, and how crisis simulations are structured.

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 3 — Lecture and Seminar

A live online lecture and seminar introducing strategic wargaming, geopolitical crisis scenarios, and their application to financial markets and investment analysis (Delivered by the Knightsbridge CEO).

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 4 — Facilitated Strategic Wargame

Participants take part in a full multi-turn geopolitical crisis wargame examining a financial or economic shock scenario, facilitated by the Knightsbridge CEO using methods drawn from government and corporate strategic simulations.

Time commitment: ~4 hours

Weeks 5–10 — Wargame Design Preparation

Participants design their own multi-turn strategic wargame examining a geopolitical crisis relevant to financial markets.

Possible themes include energy disruption, sanctions escalation, commodity shocks, or global supply chain crises.

Time commitment: ~15 hours

Weeks 11–12 — Cohort Wargame Exercises

Participants execute and participate in wargames designed by members of their cohort, testing different geopolitical scenarios and analysing their financial implications.

Time commitment: ~12 hours

Total Programme Commitment: ~37 hours across the programme.

Course dates

Participants may apply to attend one of the following cohorts:

Monday 4 May – Friday 24 July 2026
Application deadline: 1 March 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 3 August – Friday 23 October 2026
Application deadline: 1 June 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 7 September – Friday 27 November 2026
Application deadline: 1 July 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 2 November 2026 – Friday 22 January 2027
Application deadline: 1 September 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 4 January – Friday 26 March 2027
Application deadline: 1 November 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 3 May – Friday 23 July 2027
Application deadline: 1 March 2027 (open to applicants)
Monday 5 July – Friday 24 September 2027
Application deadline: 1 May 2027 (open to applicants)

How to Apply and Fees

Applications are assessed based on the applicant’s:

Academic and/or professional background
Demonstrated interest in finance, financial markets, commodities, geopolitics, and geopolitical risk
Overall suitability for the programme.

Programme Fee: £750

To apply for the programme, applicants should submit to academy@knightsbridgesg.com:

A current CV
A short statement (maximum 300 words) outlining:

Their background and experience
Why they would like to participate in the programme
How they hope to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the course in the future
What they believe they would bring to the course and cohort discussion

Please include the programme title and start date in the subject line of the application email.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that their information will be processed in accordance with the Knightsbridge Strategic Group Privacy Policy

Any questions can be directed to academy@knightsbridgesg.com

Professional Certificate in Strategic Wargaming for Energy, Extractives and Strategic Technologies

Programme Overview

Strategic wargaming is increasingly used by governments, energy companies, mining firms, and technology companies to analyse geopolitical risk and anticipate disruption to critical industries. The tool allows organisations to:

develop long-term strategy in uncertain geopolitical environments
test corporate and policy responses to geopolitical crises
anticipate escalation and supply disruptions
identify vulnerabilities in supply chains and market exposure
horizon scan for emerging geopolitical risks
think several steps ahead of competitors and geopolitical actors

Industries such as energy, extractives, and advanced technologies are particularly exposed to geopolitical disruption. Companies operating in these sectors must navigate complex relationships between governments, markets, and strategic resources. Global markets are increasingly shaped by geopolitical shocks such as:

wars and military escalation
sanctions regimes and export controls
energy supply disruptions
critical mineral supply shocks
resource nationalism
trade fragmentation and protectionism
technological decoupling
competition over strategic technologies such as semiconductors and AI

Traditional risk models often struggle to capture these complex dynamics. This programme will teach participants how to design, execute and analyse strategic geopolitical wargames themselves, allowing them to apply the methodology within companies, policy environments, or strategic planning teams. Participants will play in a geopolitical crisis wargame facilitated by the CEO of Knightsbridge based on those delivered for governments and multinational corporations. Crucially, participants will also be required to design their own strategic wargame examining a geopolitical crisis affecting energy markets, resource supply chains, or strategic technologies, and execute it with the rest of their cohort.

Students successful in passing the course will receive a professional certification in Strategic Wargaming for Energy, Extractives and Strategic Technologies from the Knightsbridge Strategic Group.

Programme Facilitator

The programme is facilitated directly by the CEO of KSG, Finley Grimble. Before founding KSG, Finley served the UK Parliament, Cabinet Office, Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence as a strategist, intelligence official, wargamer and diplomat. This included working to the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, National Security Advisor and National Security Council. Finley founded KSG to bring his experience in diplomacy, intelligence, wargaming and strategizing for the UK Government to a wider audience. He has advised and created wargames for the highest level of decision making for several Western governments, NATO, and for some of the largest international companies in the world.

Who This Programme Is For

Professionals working in energy companies, mining firms, and extractive industries
Professionals working in strategic technology sectors
Professionals working in government relations, public affairs, and corporate strategy
Analysts working on geopolitical risk, supply chains, and strategic resources
Policy professionals working on energy security, industrial strategy, technology and economic security
Analysts and researchers in think tanks and economic research institutes
Students of energy policy, economics, international political economy, international relations, and related fields

Learning Outcomes

Understand how geopolitical competition affects energy markets, critical minerals, and strategic technologies
Understand how governments influence markets through sanctions, industrial policy, export controls, and resource strategy
Strengthen their ability to think several steps ahead during geopolitical crises affecting strategic industries
Develop stronger strategic judgement when analysing geopolitical risk in energy, extractives, and technology sectors
Gain the practical ability to design and execute strategic wargames themselves.

This programme is designed to make participants more effective in roles where they must anticipate geopolitical disruption, manage government relations, and support strategic decision-making in industries exposed to geopolitical competition.

Programme Structure and Time Commitment

The programme is delivered entirely remotely, allowing participants from across the world to take part. It combines preparatory reading, live instruction, and extensive practical strategic simulation exercises.

Participants will complete the following stages:

Weeks 1–2 — Pre-Reading

Participants complete a short reading pack introducing strategic wargaming, geopolitical risk in critical industries, and how crisis simulations are structured.

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 3 — Lecture and Seminar

A live online lecture and seminar introducing strategic wargaming, geopolitical risk affecting energy, extractives and strategic technologies, and the role of governments in shaping these markets (Delivered by the Knightsbridge CEO).

Time commitment: ~3 hours

Week 4 — Facilitated Strategic Wargame

Participants take part in a full multi-turn geopolitical crisis wargame examining disruption to energy markets, critical minerals supply, or strategic technologies.

Time commitment: ~4 hours

Weeks 5–10 — Wargame Design Preparation

Participants design their own multi-turn strategic wargame examining a geopolitical crisis affecting energy, extractive industries, or strategic technology supply chains. Possible themes include energy security crises, critical mineral supply disruptions, technology export controls, or resource nationalism.

Time commitment: ~15 hours

Weeks 11–12 — Cohort Wargame Exercises

Participants execute and participate in wargames designed by members of their cohort, testing geopolitical scenarios and analysing their implications for energy markets, resource supply chains, and strategic industries.

Time commitment: ~12 hours

Total Programme Commitment: ~37 hours across the programme.

Course dates

Participants may apply to attend one of the following cohorts:

Monday 3 August – Friday 23 October 2026
Application deadline: 1 June 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 7 December 2026 – Friday 26 February 2027
Application deadline: 1 October 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 1 February – Friday 23 April 2027
Application deadline: 1 December 2026 (fully reserved)
Monday 5 April – Friday 25 June 2027
Application deadline: 1 February 2027 (fully reserved)
Monday 5 July – Friday 24 September 2027
Application deadline: 1 May 2027 (open to applicants)
Monday 6 September – Friday 26 November 2027
Application deadline: 1 July 2027 (open to applicants)
Monday 4 October – Friday 24 December 2027
Application deadline: 1 August 2027 (fully reserved)

How to Apply and Fees

Applications are assessed based on the applicant’s:

Academic and/or professional background
Demonstrated interest in energy markets, extractive industries, strategic technologies, geopolitical risk, and global supply chains
Overall suitability for the programme.

Programme Fee: £750

To apply for the programme, applicants should submit to academy@knightsbridgesg.com:

A current CV
A short statement (maximum 300 words) outlining:

Their background and experience
Why they would like to participate in the programme
How they hope to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the course in the future
What they believe they would bring to the course and cohort discussion

Please include the programme title and start date in the subject line of the application email.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that their information will be processed in accordance with the Knightsbridge Strategic Group Privacy Policy

Any questions can be directed to academy@knightsbridgesg.com