They’re Back: Ex-Cambridge Analytica employees launch Auspex International to focus on social and political campaigns in the Middle East and Africa

Ahmad Al-Khatib a former Director of Emerdata launched the company and appointed ex-Cambridge Analytica’s International Political division head Mark Turnbull as Managing Director

Photo courtesy Michael Coghlan via flickr creative commons license

On Wednesday Aliya Ram reported in the Financial Times that a new company called Auspex International has launched in London with several former employees of Cambridge Analytica and will use data analysis techniques to focus on social and political campaigns in the developing world.

The press release on Auspex International’s website describes Ahmad Al-Khatib, who is launching the company, as “a 29 year-old Egyptian and former Director of Cambridge Analytica parent company, Emerdata.” As I reported in March, Ahmad Al-Khatib had been appointed Director of Emerdata on 28 January 2018, the same day as two others — Cheng Peng and Johnson Chun Shun Ko, who is Erik Prince’s business partner at Frontier Services Group.

Al-Khatib ended his appointment as director of Emerdata after three months in May 2018, and the Auspex International press release stated:

“The collapse of CA just months later was a bitter disappointment. However, it presented an opportunity to build an ethically based, data-driven communications company that he could be certain would share his purpose and values.”

According to the Financial Times Auspex International has already secured new business and has won a contract for political work in an unnamed African state. Prior to working at Cambridge Analytica, Auspex’s new Managing Director Mark Turnbull had focused on Africa, the Middle East and South Asia during eight years at Bell Pottinger — a firm, like Cambridge Analytica, which was embroiled in scandal before shutting down.

Mark Turnbull was also caught earlier this year in an undercover investigation by Channel 4 News, along with Cambridge Analytica CEO Alexander Nix. In the video, Turnbull described to prospective clients how Cambridge Analytica could obtain damaging material on opponents and then discreetly push it onto social media and the internet. He said:

“we just put information into the bloodstream of the internet, and then, and then watch it grow, give it a little push every now and again… like a remote control. It has to happen without anyone thinking, ‘that’s propaganda’, because the moment you think ‘that’s propaganda’, the next question is, ‘who’s put that out?’.”

Al-Khatib appointed Mark Turnbull the new Managing Director of Auspex International and according to the press release:

“It was Turnbull’s integrity, along with his strong track record in strategic consultancy and campaigning, that persuaded Al-Khatib to appoint him.”

In the Financial Times article Al-Khatib is described as the “sole investor” of Auspex International. However, a review of Companies House filings shows a UK-based company Auspex International Ltd (company # 11402411) that was incorporated on 7 June 2018.

There are two directors listed — Omar Al Khatib and Alastair Harris. In addition, the ‘Person with significant interest’ lists Alastair Harris with ownership of shares of 75% or more.