When your infrastructure project or PPP is on the line,
expert negotiation & conflict resolution support
often makes the difference.

Tom Teerlynck
Complex Negotiations & Conflict Resolution

IMC-Certified | IMI-Qualified Mediator
25+ years in Global Infrastructure

Deadlock and Conflict in Infrastructure Projects & Public-Private Partnerships, are not a matter of if
— but when.

Diverse stakeholders. Conflicting interests. High complexity. Long timelines.
— breakdowns are inevitable, and costly.

Before you run out of options, the deal slips away, or legal escalation looms, bring in:

expert negotiation & conflict resolution support.


Even the best team needs help when stakes are high and the project is on the line:

  • Fresh eyes - Free from internal politics or history.

  • Discreet and neutral - Quiet, confidential support when dynamics are sensitive.

  • Root-cause clarity - Uncovering what’s really blocking progress.

  • Relational reset - De-escalating tensions, rebuilding trust.

  • Structured action - Reintroducing progress, discipline, and direction.

  • Creative solutions - Finding options lost in conflict or complexity.

  • Commitment to resolution - Focused on the project, its value, and your reputation.


This role requires the right combination of skills:

Advanced negotiation & conflict resolution capabilities.

Deep infrastructure & PPP expertise.

Credibility to engage across all stakeholders.

“Third-party facilitation is now
a best practice recommended
by international bodies
to pre-empt legal crises.”

I bring a mix of expertise, forged over decades in real-world dealmaking
— to clear deadlocks, resolve conflict, and get your project back on track.

1. Advanced negotiation & conflict resolution skills

Combining 25+ years live deal negotiation with thorough training in:

  • structured negotiation, and

  • mediation 

including from Harvard’s Program on Negotiation and the International Mediation Campus (IMC-certified and IMI-qualified mediator).

2. Deep infrastructure sector experience

  • $50B+ in complex projects across 30+ countries (Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe)

  • Senior roles at ACWA Power, TAQA, ENGIE, DataVolt e.a.

  • Fluent in the public-private and DFI dynamics that drive infrastructure.

3. Cross-functional legal, financial, and technical fluency

Highly familiar with PPP contracts, risk allocation, legal frameworks, financial structures, and technical constraints.

Connecting the dots — across stakeholders, disciplines, and borders.

4. Multilingual and cultural fluency

Working in English, French, and Portuguese, and a strong command of Russian. Among other languages.

Bridging divides and fostering constructive dialogue — not just between organizations, but also within them.

“After months of intense negotiation on one of the country’s first major power projects, the Deputy Minister of Energy called me in privately—just before signing. He looked at me and asked, ‘Would you advise us to sign this agreement?’
That question said everything. Despite negotiating hard for the investor, I had earned the Ministry’s trust. They knew I had pushed for a deal that was not just bankable—but also fair, balanced, and fully understood on both sides.” — Tom Teerlynck

Structured approach to deadlock & conflict resolution.

As an objective external expert, I help you diagnose the root causes, define a negotiation strategy, support or lead critical talks, and drive resolution — before the situation escalates further.

I work hands-on with you and your team — not around you. You stay in charge.

Diagnose:
Surface the true blockers — technical, legal, political, or relational.
Cut through noise to distinguish symptoms from root causes.

Strategize & Design:
Build phased recovery and negotiation plans that work in practice.
Prepare for next steps, stakeholder dynamics, and negotiation.

Re-align Stakeholders:
Repair fractured relationships and build trust.
Restart dialogue between ministries, developers, DFIs, or internal factions.

Negotiate or Mediate:
Lead or support high-stakes, interest-based negotiations.
Act as trusted intermediary, advocate, or neutral facilitator or mediator.
Enable agreements between public and private actors.

Drive Closure & Sustain Success:
Ensure closure is reached, and implemented.
Build internal resilience to avoid future crises.

Results:

  • Deadlock cleared. Conflict resolved. Project back on track. Value and trust restored.

  • Project saved. Months or even years of delays avoided. Millions in investment protected.

“Companies bring in external negotiators and mediators when the cost of staying stuck becomes too high—especially where specialized knowledge, neutrality, or rapid resolution are critical to protecting project value and organizational reputation, and prevent legal escalation.”

“External negotiators and mediators are often preferred for their impartiality and ability to facilitate constuctive dialogue between public and private partners.”

I work across:

energy, water, digital, transport, social, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

With:

  • Project developers / sponsors

  • Public sector (ministries, agencies, municipalities)

  • Development finance institutions (DFIs)

  • Equity investors / Private equity firms

  • Contractors and Operators

  • Law firms, financial advisors, technical advisors

Is your project off-track or at risk?

Let’s talk

— a quick no-obligation diagnostic to assess the situation and identify actionable steps.

We move forward only if you see clear, measurable value.
To clear that deadlock. Resolve that conflict. Preserve that project.