Money and Power: The plot of the story revolves around one man trying to get rich by creating a disaster. He is not worried about the innocent people he could kill, only about the money he could make. Desmond McCain also has power and is influential enough that no one questions him or believes he is a bad person. He has "turned to Christ" after realizing his mistakes.
Youth vs Maturity: Alex Rider is a teenager succeeding in the world of spies and war. He is successful because he is young and is not expected to be a spy. That is the reason MI6 recruited him when they learned he had been trained like a spy. No one, especially Desmond McCain, ever expects him to be getting information and trying to uncover plots. However, the British government does not particularly agree with the decisions of their intelligence agency.
Manipulation and Scams: First Aid is the organization Desmond McCain leads. This organization tries to help in disasters by providing relief, medical support, and money. However, it is all a scam because McCain keeps most of the money for himself. No one else knows this and they still give to the cause because they believe they are helping those less fortunate. It is almost a fallible emotion of being human; giving and pretending to help. A lot of money from charities does not reach the area of need unfortunately though.