Our STORY

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In 2022, after ten years of thought and preparation and nearly 25 years of government service working in export controls, sanctions, and international security, the founder, Stephen Wilcox incorporated the International Sanctions and Export Control Society ("ISECS"). Stephen wanted the ISECS network to focus on providing a holistic, risk, threat and legal based approach to compliance, and to assist industry, and government, in creating a more secure international trade ecosystem. His vision was that the ISECS would provide public benefit and be for industry, led by industry. 

Dating back to 2015, Steve conducted discussions with Ambassador Charles Adams (ret.), now former U.S. Ambassador to Finland, regarding the potential for such a trade association to exist. In 2022, Stephen met with Charles again to revisit the topic and gained support from Orrick's International Trade and Investment Practice Leader, Harry Clark. 

Steve then approached the Swedish Export Control Society and asked the Board of Directors to assist in establishing the network of societies throughout Europe, beginning with the Finnish Sanctions and Export Control Society. 

In Finland, Aleksi Pursiainen, Solid Plan Consulting, agreed to help incorporate the Finnish Sanctions and Export Control Society, which served as the first Society in the network. 

With additional sponsorship assistance from Matt Bell, Practice Leader, Export Controls, Sanctions and Trade Practice, FTI Consulting, Rosa Rosanelli of Patria Group, Bengt Westerholm of Beweship, Samuli Simojoki of Borenius, Matt Bock of Bock Trade Law, Kristiina Helenius of Miltton USA, the Finnish Sanctions and Export Control Society was born. 

Since that time, Export Controls and Sanctions Advisors LLC, Orrick, Vale, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and many others, have dedicated significant resources to growing the network.

In 2024, all the national societies were consolidated under the ISECS umbrella and re-organized as a public benefit corporation, a division of ECSA Group, managed by ECS Advisors. Throughout 2024, ISECS expanded its international footprint with members in 30 countries across five continents.

A great many thanks to all involved in bringing the ISECS to life.