David Scott

David Scott is an expert in strategy formulation and implementation with an extensive track record of successful engagements involving multibillion–dollar projects and ventures for both government and private sector clients. With a particularly deep resume within the energy industry, he is also a sought-after advisor on a wide spectrum of energy technologies and sources, including fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear energy.

Scott is the founder and president of the Investment Diplomacy Group (IDG), a bespoke, U.S.-based consultancy providing expert advice on transactions and ventures that combine a high degree of both commercial and political complexity. Via IDG, Scott provides ongoing services to a number of corporate and government clients, including as a long-time advisor to the Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to the above, Scott sits on the Board of Directors for the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and is widely credited as a chief architect of the well-regarded and successful UAE peaceful nuclear energy program. He additionally sits on the board of Seattle-based TerraPower, as well as advisory boards for San Diego-based General Atomics and London-based Lloyd’s Registry. Scott is also the Chairman of UAE-based AGTECH start-up, Pure Harvest, as well as UK-based InfraSalience (a carbon-capture and utilization technology company).

Scott is deeply passionate about education and human capital development and maintains relationships with a number of major academic institutions across the globe, where he frequently lectures on various geopolitical, business and strategy-related topics.

Previously, as Executive Director of Economic and Energy Affairs for the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi (2006-2012), Scott led an interdisciplinary team of analysts charged with conducting targeted research and providing strategic policy advice to the Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Council. In his role as Executive Director of Energy and Economic Affairs, Scott helped organize and lead an interagency working group that analyzed future energy demand across the UAE and developed the current diversified technology strategy that is being implemented to meet that demand.

Prior to his role with the Executive Affairs Authority, Scott worked as a regional vice president for Occidental Petroleum Corporation (2002-2006), contributing to Occidental’s rapid expansion within the GCC and wider Middle East. From 2001-2002, he served at the White House as the National Security Council’s Director for Arabian Peninsula and North African Affairs.

Scott is a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer and a veteran of the United States Army. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the Defense Language Institute, as well as the U.S. Army’s Cryptologic and Electronic Warfare School and Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. He was also a graduate fellow with the Center for Arabic Studies Abroad at the American University of Cairo.

He is fluent in both Arabic and Spanish.