Home » Speakers
2026 speakers
The voices shaping tomorrow’s finance
Dubai Fintech Summit
H.E. Essa Kazim
Governor
DIFC
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H.E. Essa Kazim
Governor
DIFC
His Excellency Essa Kazim is the Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Chairman of Borse Dubai, Deputy Chairman of Supreme Legislation Committee in Dubai, and a member in Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee.
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri
Cabinet Member & UAE Minister of Economy
UAE Government
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H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri
Cabinet Member & UAE Minister of Economy
UAE Government
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri was appointed Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the new government structure approved in July 2020. He is the Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority, UAE International Investors Council, and CSR UAE Fund’s Board of Trustees.
H.E. Arif Amiri
Chief Executive Officer
DIFC Authority
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H.E. Arif Amiri
Chief Executive Officer
DIFC Authority
H. E. Arif Amiri is the Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority where he is responsible for setting the strategy and growth direction of the Authority. Under his leadership, DIFC has emerged as a powerful catalyst for the financial services sector, as well as the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
Noel Quinn
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Julius Baer Group
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Noel Quinn
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Julius Baer Group
Noel Quinn, Chairman of Julius Baer Group since May 2025, retired in 2024 after five years as Group Chief Executive of HSBC, concluding a 37-year career in finance. Recognised for his contributions to the financial industry and sustainability, he notably chaired the Financial Services Taskforce for HM King Charles III's Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Jason Moo
Chief Executive Officer
Bank of Singapore
Singapore
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Jason Moo
Chief Executive Officer
Bank of Singapore
Singapore
Mr Jason Moo was appointed CEO of Bank of Singapore in March 2023. He joined Bank of Singapore from Julius Baer, where he was Head Private Banking Southeast Asia and Branch Manager Singapore.
Prior to joining Julius Baer in 2020, Mr Moo worked at Goldman Sachs for more than two decades and has held several senior roles, including CEO of Goldman Sachs Singapore and Head of Southeast Asia and Australia for Private Wealth Management (PWM).
Before relocating back to Singapore, he was based in Hong Kong as Head of Market Solutions Group and Head of Alternative Capital Markets Asia Pacific. Prior to that, he worked in the Equities Merchandising Group in New York. He joined Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst in PWM in Singapore upon graduation.
Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)
India
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Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)
India
Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), with decades of experience in capital markets, technology, and financial infrastructure. A founding member of NSE, he has been instrumental in shaping India’s modern markets, including screen-based trading, the NIFTY index, derivatives markets, and digital trading platforms. Previously, he served as MD and CEO of BSE Limited and held leadership roles across Reliance Group and other institutions. Recognized globally for his impact on financial markets innovation, he is regarded as a pioneer of modern financial derivatives in India.
Nicolas Moreau
CEO
HSBC Asset Management
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Nicolas Moreau
CEO
HSBC Asset Management
Nicolas Moreau is Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Asset Management. He leads strategy for the global investment management business, driving HSBC's ambition to be a leading international wealth manager. With 30 years' experience in asset management, he previously led Deutsche Asset Management as Global CEO, overseeing its listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and rebranding to DWS. His career also includes senior leadership roles at AXA Group.
Dr. Shanu S.P. Hinduja
Chair
S.P. Hinduja Banque Privée
Switzerland
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Dr. Shanu S.P. Hinduja
Chair
S.P. Hinduja Banque Privée
Switzerland
Dr. Shanu is the Chair of S. P. Hinduja Banque Privée and Co-Chair of the United Nations Global Accelerator. A female career banker, Dr. Shanu has dedicated her life to the empowerment of minorities. She has made it her mission to change the face of banking in the modern world, to increase transparency and to stress the value of robust regulation, as well as to champion the role of the under-represented. She pioneered as a woman chairing the board of a Swiss Bank. Leading from the front, Dr. Shanu has worked to embed a values-driven, progressive and meritocratic culture. She has been featured and profiled in major global publications such as the Sunday Times, Forbes and the Financial Times on her life’s work and continued efforts to call out bias in the financial sector. Dr. Shanu’s experience and insights as a visionary extend far beyond finance. She has written and lectured on subjects ranging from leadership, equality and technology, to education, Brexit and globalisation, across the world. As a respected speaker on the world’s most pressing issues, she has captured the attention of the leaders of more than 130 countries at the UN General Assembly, and publicly discussed achievement of the UN’s gender equality goals with former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Davos. In addition to supporting the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the UN Global Accelerator, which is a programme designed to foster entrepreneurial ideas to tackle today’s economic challenges – Dr. Shanu alongside her father, the late Mr. Srichand Parmanand Hinduja, provided scholarships through the Hinduja Foundation at Columbia University, Massachusetts General Hospital and University of Cambridge. She is a founding member of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco’s environment-focused Foundation. Dr. Shanu was bestowed the title of Professor of Leadership at the University of Bolton’s Institute of Management and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University in December 2020.
Martin Kocher
Governor
Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austria)
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Martin Kocher
Governor
Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austria)
Martin Kocher is Governor of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank and member of the ECB’s Governing Council since September 2025. He held the positions of Austrian Federal Minister of Labour from 2021 to 2022 and Federal Minster of Labour and the Economy from 2022 to March 2025. Prior to this, he was Scientific Director of the Vienna-based Institute for Advanced Studies, President of the Fiscal Advisory Council and Chairman of the Statistics Council. He is Full Professor of Economics at the University of Vienna and has held academic positions at universities in Munich, East Anglia, Amsterdam, Gothenburg, Brisbane and Innsbruck, where he obtained his doctorate.
H.E. Dr. Fatih Karahan
Governor
Central Bank of Turkey
Turkey
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H.E. Dr. Fatih Karahan
Governor
Central Bank of Turkey
Turkey
Fatih Karahan is the Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and previously served as a monetary policy advisor and team leader at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He was also a principal economist at Amazon.
Dr. Bernd van Linder
Chief Executive Officer
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)
United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Bernd van Linder
Chief Executive Officer
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Bernd van Linder
Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)
Dr. Bernd van Linder built his career at ABN AMRO in the Netherlands before moving to the GCC region where he was General Manager Treasury of Saudi Hollandi Bank before becoming CEO of the same bank in 2009. He has a wealth of experience in retail, commercial and corporate banking and an excellent track-record in treasury, risk management and in leading strategic change processes. Dr. Bernd van Linder is a PhD holder in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Utrecht, Netherlands. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Financial Management from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom.
Clément Aglietta
CEO
Edda
France
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Clément Aglietta
CEO
Edda
France
Clément Aglietta has been in the VC world for 10+ years, starting with his experience as the Chief of Staff of FJ Labs (created by Fabrice Grinda, famed angel investor) at just 22 years old. In 2017, Clément co-founded Edda while still at FJ Labs, inspired by the lived struggles he had as a VC. As CEO, Clément has led Edda ’s mission to transform investing work with its revolutionary specialized tools including deal flow and portfolio management, as well as VC-tailored AI agents. Today, Edda is the trusted provider of investment firms in 40 countries managing $300B+ in assets on-platform.
Fernando Zandona
CEO
Mambu
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Fernando Zandona
CEO
Mambu
Fernando is a technology and engineering leader with over 20 years of experience in organisations such as Amazon and Microsoft. He leverages deep technical insight gathered in hyper-growth environments to drive Mambu’s global teams to deliver optimal results for customers.
Harry Gill
Founder and Chairman
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
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Harry Gill
Founder and Chairman
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
Prabhpreet Singh Gill (Harry Gill) is the Founder and Chairman of Pay10, and a visionary fintech leader shaping the future of global payments.
Murat Cagri Suzer
Group CEO
Network International
United Arab Emirates
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Murat Cagri Suzer
Group CEO
Network International
United Arab Emirates
Murat Cagri Suzer, is the Group CEO of Network International, responsible for overall leadership, strategic growth, and expansion across 56 markets. With over two decades of experience in payments, fintech, and digital transformation, Murat brings a global perspective shaped by senior leadership roles at BBVA — leading Consumer Banking in the USA ($60B working balance, 5,000+ FTEs), heading Consumer, SME, and Digital Banking in Turkey, and serving on BBVA's Global Strategy and Planning team. He also led Garanti Payment Systems, one of EMEA's most innovative fintechs, serving 18 million customers and 500,000 merchants. Murat began his career at Danone before joining McKinsey & Company, advising clients across financial services, telecom, and consumer goods. A passionate advocate for innovation and customer-centric technology, he has served on the boards of the Consumer Bankers Association USA, Interchange Card Center of Turkey, and advisory boards of Mastercard and American Express. He holds an Engineering degree from Middle East Technical University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Sergio Furio
Founder and CEO
Creditas
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Sergio Furio
Founder and CEO
Creditas
Sergio is Founder and CEO of Creditas, the leading asset-backed fintech in Latin America with $900mn funding. Sergio is also Chairman of Endeavor Brazil and Partner at Actyus Venture Fund.
Raman Bhatia
Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer
Starling Bank
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Raman Bhatia
Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer
Starling Bank
Raman Bhatia is the Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Starling Bank Limited and Starling Group Holdings Limited, responsible for leading the business and setting its strategic direction alongside the board. He joined Starling in 2024 from OVO, one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers, where he drove the company’s expansion into green and sustainable technology. Previously, as Head of Digital Bank at HSBC Retail Banking and Wealth Management for the UK and Europe, he led digital innovation, platform development, and risk management. His earlier career spans senior roles at Expedia, HouseTrip, and Bain & Company.
Alex Manson
CEO
SC Ventures
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Alex Manson
CEO
SC Ventures
Alex Manson serves as CEO of SC Ventures, the venture building and innovation arm of Standard Chartered Bank, which he founded in 2018. Manson brings over 30 years of banking experience, having joined Standard Chartered in 2012 as Group Head of Wholesale Banking Geographies, followed by Global Head of Transaction Banking in Singapore from 2014 to 2018. Prior to Standard Chartered, he spent 12 years at Deutsche Bank in roles including Global Head of Lending and Corporate Banking Coverage and Head of Global Banking Coverage for APAC, across locations like New York, London, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong. He began his career at Credit Suisse in Switzerland and New York, focusing on securitization, derivatives, and structured products.
Scott Geary
Vice Chair, Partner, Head of Global Wealth
Wellington Management
United States of America
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Scott Geary
Vice Chair, Partner, Head of Global Wealth
Wellington Management
United States of America
Scott Geary is Vice Chair and Head of Global Wealth at Wellington Management, where he oversees global fund distribution and sub-advisory partnerships. He contributes to the firm’s strategic initiatives and external affairs and serves on its CEO Management Team and Global Compensation & Talent Committee.
Since joining Wellington Management in 2009, Scott has held senior client relationship leadership roles across the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Previously, he held positions at Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan. He holds an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, a BA from the University of Vermont, and the CFA designation.
Michael Ruttledge
Chief Information Officer and Head of Enterprise Technology and Security
Citizens Bank
United States of America
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Michael Ruttledge
Chief Information Officer and Head of Enterprise Technology and Security
Citizens Bank
United States of America
Michael Ruttledge is a senior technology executive at Citizens Financial Group, overseeing the bank’s enterprise technology, cybersecurity and digital transformation initiatives. Since joining Citizens in 2019, he has spearheaded its Next Generation Technology transformation, modernising infrastructure and enhancing digital customer experiences. Previously, he served as Group Chief Information Officer at American Express and brings more than 20 years of financial services technology experience, spanning payments, engineering, risk management and banking. He holds a graduate degree in Information Systems from the University of Brighton in the UK.
Paul Taylor
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Thought Machine
United Kingdom
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Paul Taylor
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Thought Machine
United Kingdom
Paul Taylor is the founder and CEO of Thought Machine, a cloud-native core banking and payments technology provider serving Tier 1 banks across 18 countries. A technologist with a PhD in AI, he previously founded two software ventures, including a company acquired by Google in 2010, where he subsequently led the text-to-speech team developing systems for its global search and navigation products.
Mark Steward
CEO
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
United Kingdom
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Mark Steward
CEO
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
United Kingdom
Mark Steward was appointed Chief Executive of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in May 2025. Mr Steward served as the Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 2015. He was also the Chair of the FCA's Market Policy Committee, and from December 2021, he was Executive Director of the FCA's International Division. Prior to joining the FCA, Mr Steward served at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) as an Executive Director with responsibility for the Enforcement Division. Before joining the SFC, Mr Steward held several senior positions with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and was most recently Deputy Executive Director, Enforcement at ASIC. Formerly, Mr Steward was Chair of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) Multi-lateral Memorandum of Understanding Monitoring Group.
Nalin Negi
Chief Executive Officer
BharatPe
India
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Nalin Negi
Chief Executive Officer
BharatPe
India
Nalin Negi is the Chief Executive Officer of BharatPe, where he drives strategic growth, operational excellence, and expansion in India’s fintech ecosystem. With over 20 years of experience in banking, financial services, and payments, he previously served as CFO of SBI Card, leading its IPO in 2020 as the first pure-play credit card company listed in India. Negi has also held leadership roles at American Express, EXL Service, Nestle India, and ITC. Known for his expertise in financial management, strategy, and innovation, he brings insights on scaling digital payments, lending, and financial inclusion.
Roham Gharegozlou
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Dapper Labs
Canada
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Roham Gharegozlou
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Dapper Labs
Canada
Roham Gharegozlou is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Dapper Labs, a blockchain company known for pioneering NFT projects and digital collectibles. Launching his entrepreneurial journey at age 14, he has founded and led over a dozen startups across technology and digital innovation. Known for his expertise in blockchain, decentralized finance, and Web3 platforms, he brings a founder-led perspective on the future of digital assets and financial technology.
Hosam Arab
Co-founder and CEO
Tabby
UAE
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Hosam Arab
Co-founder and CEO
Tabby
UAE
Hosam is the CEO and Co-founder of Tabby, a shopping and financial services app designed to create financial freedom.
Faraz Khalid
CEO
Noon
United Arab Emirates
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Faraz Khalid
CEO
Noon
United Arab Emirates
Faraz is the Group CEO of noon, the region's leading consumer commerce platform. The noon ecosystem of services now includes marketplaces for food delivery, quick-commerce, fintech, and fashion. Faraz is an engineer by training and has an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to noon, Faraz was the co-founder and Managing Director at Namshi.
Toon Gyssels
CEO
talabat
United Arab Emirates
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Toon Gyssels
CEO
talabat
United Arab Emirates
Toon Gyssels is the Chief Executive Officer of talabat, the leading on-demand delivery and quick-commerce platform in the Middle East and North Africa. Appointed CEO on November 21, 2025, Gyssels brings extensive experience across technology, logistics, and scale operations, alongside a strong track record of innovation within the region.
Gyssels previously served as Chief Operating Officer of talabat, where he scaled the company from 200 to more than 3,500 employees and led its evolution from a marketplace model to a full logistics ecosystem. During this period, he launched and expanded several key growth engines, including tMart, quick commerce, cloud kitchens, subscriptions, and non-food verticals.
Akshay Naheta
Chief Executive Officer
Bakkt
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Akshay Naheta
Chief Executive Officer
Bakkt
Akshay Naheta is Co Chief Executive Officer of Bakkt, where he leads strategy, product integration, and growth across the company’s unified trading, custody, and payments platform. Before joining Bakkt, he was Chief Executive Officer of Distributed Technologies Research (DTR), a company focused on stablecoin technology and payment solutions, and is now working to integrate DTR’s platform with Bakkt’s infrastructure to enable seamless payments and settlement capabilities. Earlier in his career, Akshay spent five years at SoftBank Group, most recently as Senior Vice President of Investments, where he reported directly to Masayoshi Son and played a key role in evaluating and executing strategic technology investments across the group’s global portfolio. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, and is recognized for combining deep technical expertise with capital markets insight to position Bakkt as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.
Armin Peter
Managing Director - Markets
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
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Armin Peter
Managing Director - Markets
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
Armin Peter, Managing Director, Markets at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), leads the regulatory framework and strategic development of capital markets within DIFC. With three decades in international capital markets, he previously chaired ICMA's FinTech Advisory Committee, advancing international market standards and modernising infrastructure.
Fadi Ghandour
Executive Chairman
Wamda
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Fadi Ghandour
Executive Chairman
Wamda
Fadi Ghandour is the Executive Chairman of Wamda Group, a platform that invests, nurtures and builds entrepreneurship eco-systems across the Middle East and North Africa. Fadi was also the co-founder of Aramex, one of the leading global logistics companies based in Dubai. Fadi spent the first 30 years of his work life as CEO of Aramex, building the company, to become one of the leading emerging market logistics companies, and making it the first company from the Arab world to be listed on Nasdaq. Passionate about impact and social entrepreneurship, Fadi founded and chairs Ruwwad for Development, a private-sector led community engagement platform that helps marginalized communities, across several countries in the MENA region, overcome marginalization through activism, civic engagement, education and financial inclusion.
Abdullah Zahran Al Hinai
Chief Executive Officer
National Bank of Oman
Oman
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Abdullah Zahran Al Hinai
Chief Executive Officer
National Bank of Oman
Oman
Abdullah Zahran Al Hinai is the Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Oman, bringing over 20 years of experience in banking and financial services. He has held several senior leadership roles and was previously Chief Wholesale Banking and Strategic Growth Officer, where he established the Strategic Growth function and led landmark transactions across investment and commercial banking. Known for his expertise in financial strategy, market development, and corporate banking, he brings a strategic perspective on driving growth, innovation, and institutional excellence in the banking sector.
Claude Marx
Director General
Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)
Luxembourg
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Claude Marx
Director General
Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)
Luxembourg
Claude Marx is the Director General of the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg’s financial regulator, where he oversees the prudential supervision of banks, investment firms, and financial entities. With extensive experience across regulation and private banking, he contributes to shaping Europe’s sustainable finance and regulatory frameworks and serves on the Board of Supervisors of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Previously, he served as CEO of Lombard International Assurance and held senior leadership roles at HSBC Private Bank Luxembourg. Known for his expertise in regulatory strategy and financial supervision, Marx brings a policy-driven perspective on financial regulation and sustainable finance.
Graham Roy Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Capitec Bank
South Africa
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Graham Roy Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Capitec Bank
South Africa
Graham is the Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Capitec Bank, appointed in July 2025. He joined Capitec in 2003 and has held leadership roles across finance, IT, credit, digital, and data. With over 25 years of experience in financial services and technology across Zimbabwe, the UK, Australia, Nigeria, and South Africa, he began his career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley International before moving into financial software, data analytics, and microfinance leadership. He has also served as a part-time lecturer for the University of Stellenbosch Business School’s MBA programme.
Andrew Kahn
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Partners for Growth
USA
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Andrew Kahn
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Partners for Growth
USA
Andrew Kahn is the Co-Founder of Partners for Growth (PFG), where he has spent nearly four decades structuring custom financing for technology companies. Prior to PFG, he and co-founder Don Campbell led Hambrecht & Quist Guaranty Finance, the lending practice of the San Francisco-based tech investment bank Hambrecht & Quist. Kahn also served as General Partner at JP Morgan Partners, managing venture capital and growth equity funds totaling over $400 million. Earlier, he worked at the Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency, overseeing bond financing and direct lending for small businesses. Known for his expertise in technology finance, he brings insights on venture lending, growth equity, and scaling innovation.
Charlotte Robins
Managing Director, Policy and Legal
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
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Charlotte Robins
Managing Director, Policy and Legal
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
Maarten Edixhoven
Chair
Van Lanschot Kempen
Netherlands
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Maarten Edixhoven
Chair
Van Lanschot Kempen
Netherlands
Maarten Edixhoven is Chair of the Management Board and CEO of Van Lanschot Kempen, the independent, specialist wealth manager and one of the Netherlands' oldest financial institutions. He has led the firm since October 2021 and has positioned it around long-term, personal client relationships, continued investment in technology and people, and a clear growth strategy.
Melissa Guzy
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Arbor Ventures
Singapore
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Melissa Guzy
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Arbor Ventures
Singapore
Melissa C. Guzy is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Arbor Ventures. Melissa is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong and the Singapore Venture Capital Associations and a former member of the advisory counsel to the Hong Kong SFC on Innovation. She serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Jackson Labs. Melissa’s expertise in Fintech has earned her recognition as a Top 100 Influencer in Fintech (NxBnk), AlwaysOn Fintech Power Player, as well as One of the Most Influential Women in Tech in Asia. Her current board seats include Paidy, TrueAccord, InCountry, Fundbox, Tabby, EverC and Planck Re.
Rishi Kapoor
Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer
Investcorp
Bahrain
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Rishi Kapoor
Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer
Investcorp
Bahrain
Rishi Kapoor is Investcorp’s Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer (CIO). He has been with the firm for over 30 years, having served as Investcorp’s Co-Chief Executive Officer from 2015 to 2024, and as Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2015. Rishi joined Investcorp in 1992 from Citigroup. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Rishi is a member of Duke University’s Middle East Regional Advisory Board, the Oxford Energy Policy Club, and His Majesty King Charles’ Sustainable Markets Initiative. Additionally, he sits on the Board of Directors for the National Bank of Bahrain, where he chairs the Risk & Compliance Committee.
William Mason
Director General
Guernsey Financial Services Commission
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William Mason
Director General
Guernsey Financial Services Commission
William Mason is the Director General of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. He has strong interests in Supervisory Technology, Digital Finance and Green Finance. Prior to becoming a financial regulator, William worked in the UK Cabinet Office where he helped write "Regulation - Less is More, a report to the Prime Minister". His other publications include: "Freedom for Public Services;"The Costs of Regulation" and "PRISM Explained - Implementing Risk Based Supervision". Earlier in his career, William worked for an international energy firm on three continents, and a US strategy house. He also served as a volunteer police officer in London, and as a school governor in a deprived neighbourhood. William has held public office as a parish and district councillor. From 2006 to 2010, William supervised large insurers and investment firms at the UK FSA where he was also asked to lead an emergency credit institutions team during the Global Financial Crisis. In 2010, he moved to become Head of Risk at the Central Bank of Ireland where he reinvented Irish financial services supervisory processes as the country recovered from the Euro crisis. He subsequently played an influential role in the operational design of the European Central Bank's banking union;it adopted the software that he had designed to implement its supervisory operating model.
Peter Hughes
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Apex Group Ltd.
Bermuda
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Peter Hughes
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Apex Group Ltd.
Bermuda
Peter Hughes is the Founder of Apex Group, established in 2003 to provide end-to-end asset servicing solutions through local expertise on a global scale. Under his leadership, Apex has transformed the asset servicing industry, delivering integrated solutions to asset managers, allocators, family offices, and financial institutions across the full value chain. The Group leverages innovative technology and a global team of 13,000 professionals across 50 countries. Beyond finance, Hughes supports social impact through the Apex Foundation, championing climate action, women’s empowerment, education, and social mobility. He brings insights on scaling global financial services and driving innovation with purpose.
Sandeep Nailwal
Co-Founder
Polygon Labs
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Sandeep Nailwal
Co-Founder
Polygon Labs
Sandeep Nailwal is the Founder of Polygon Chain, one of the world’s most widely adopted blockchains, and Agglayer, a protocol designed to unify Web3 ecosystems. He serves as CEO of the Polygon Foundation, a nonprofit organization building infrastructure for a truly trustless internet where users retain greater control and ownership of their assets. Under his leadership, Polygon is reshaping how value moves onchain through the development of the Open Money Stack—a vertically integrated suite of services and software enabling seamless, end-to-end blockchain-based payments and financial activity.
Reece Merrick
VP, Managing Director, Middle East & Africa
Ripple
United Arab Emirates
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Reece Merrick
VP, Managing Director, Middle East & Africa
Ripple
United Arab Emirates
Reece Merrick is the Managing Director of Middle East and Africa at Ripple where he leads the company’s business operations and strategic initiatives from Ripple’s MEA headquarters in Dubai.
Prior to his current role, Reece was Senior Director of Global Strategic Partners at Ripple where he led relationships with key financial institutions and crypto partners adopting blockchain-based payments and crypto liquidity solutions to enable cross-border payments. He has spent eight years working on Ripple’s payments products across Dubai and London.
Reece has almost 20 years of experience working within the fintech and payments industry, with expertise focused on foreign exchange risk management and building best-in-class payment solutions for large financial institutions and corporations.
Prior to Ripple, Reece spent 10+ years working within the fintech and payments space, focusing on FX risk management and building out cross-border payment solutions for large FIs & corporations.
Ronghui Gu
Co-founder
CertiK
United States of America
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Ronghui Gu
Co-founder
CertiK
United States of America
Professor Ronghui Gu is the Co-founder and CEO of CertiK, and a Professor of Columbia University. He serves as an International Technology Advisor to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Professor Gu developed CertiKOS, the first formally verified hacker-resistant operating system kernel, which ultimately led to the founding of CertiK. Today, CertiK is the largest Web3 security service provider, backed by investments from 12 top-tier funds, including Sequoia, Coatue, Goldman Sachs, Shunwei Capital and Insight Partners, with its valuation over $2 billion. Professor Gu obtained his Ph.D. from Yale University and his Bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University. He has received numerous prestigious awards for his work in systems verification, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, a VMware Systems Research Award, three Amazon Research Awards, an OSDI Jay Lepreau Best Paper Award, an SOSP Best Paper Award, and a CACM Research Highlight.
Jessica Renier
Managing Director of Digital Finance
Institute of International Finance (IIF)
United States of America
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Jessica Renier
Managing Director of Digital Finance
Institute of International Finance (IIF)
United States of America
Jessica Renier is Managing Director of Digital Finance at the IIF. She previously served as Associate Director at the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President at the White House where she oversaw a range of Federal Government agencies, including the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Commerce, and the Small Business Administration. She also served as Senior Counselor for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes and Senior Advisor for Domestic Finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, leading financial technology and innovation policy. She previously worked at the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Dallas, J.P. Morgan Securities, the Hoover Institution, and Deloitte Consulting, and holds an MBA from Stanford GSB.
Shivashish Chatterjee
Co-Founder & Managing Director
DMI Finance
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Shivashish Chatterjee
Co-Founder & Managing Director
DMI Finance
Shivashish Chatterjee is a Co-Founder of the DMI Group where he is a driving force behind the Group’s vision and strategy. A 25-year veteran of international financial markets, Shivashish Chatterjee brings a wealth of experience in Global Fixed-Income trading and analytics that complements and informs DMI’s activities. Shivashish Chatterjee spent the vast majority of his Wall Street days at Salomon Brothers, a storied fixed-income powerhouse that was eventually acquired by Citigroup Inc. One of the youngest-ever Managing Directors at Salomon Brothers and Citigroup Inc., he held a wide variety of positions spanning core research in interest rate and prepayment modelling to trading a range of interest rate derivatives and mortgage-backed securities. Shivashish Chatterjee became Co-Head of all securitised products trading in North America in 2004 before leaving in 2008 to start DMI.
Stefan Klestil
CEO
SpeedInvest
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Stefan Klestil
CEO
SpeedInvest
Stefan has more than 25 years of experience in the international payments and banking technology space as Advisor, Operator and Investor. He is an early investor and advisor to founders of N26, Wefox, Billie, Moove, Curve, Wayflyer, Bitpanda, Khazna, Shopup, and Abhi amongst others. Also, Stefan has successfully exited payworks (to Visa), iyzico (to payU/Naspers) and Holvi (to BBVA). His main focus and interest currently are scale ups in Africa, MENA and other Growth Markets. Previously, he was President of Central and Southern Europe at First Data, Partner at Roland Berger, and Principal at A.T. Kearney, based in New York and Vienna. He holds Master’s degrees from Columbia University and Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.
Anthony Millet
Managing Partner & Co-Heads Antler Capital
Antler
United Arab Emirates
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Anthony Millet
Managing Partner & Co-Heads Antler Capital
Antler
United Arab Emirates
Brooks Entwistle
Head of International and Member of the Management Committee
iCapital
Switzerland
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Brooks Entwistle
Head of International and Member of the Management Committee
iCapital
Switzerland
Brooks Entwistle is responsible for iCapital’s business and growth strategy outside the United States, with a focus on EMEA, APAC, LATAM, and Canada markets. He brings nearly three decades of international leadership experience across financial services and technology. Prior to joining iCapital, he held senior roles at Ripple and Uber, and previously served as CEO of Everstone Capital. Earlier in his career, he spent more than two decades at Goldman Sachs, including as Chairman of Goldman Sachs South East Asia, CEO of Goldman Sachs Singapore, and Founder and CEO of Goldman Sachs India.
Shrini Viswanath
Co-Founder
Upstox
India
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Shrini Viswanath
Co-Founder
Upstox
India
Shrini Viswanath is the Co-Founder of Upstox, one of India’s leading wealth-tech platforms, serving over 1.3 crore customers across the digital investing and trading ecosystem. With a background in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategy, product innovation, operations, and technology. Under his leadership, Upstox has emerged as a key force in democratizing access to financial markets in India. Beyond his professional work, Shrini is a strong advocate for fitness and holistic well-being.
Kfir Godrich
Founder, mAIndfulness · Board Member, Advisor and Venture Investor
Former Chief Innovation Officer, BlackRock
United States of America
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Kfir Godrich
Founder, mAIndfulness · Board Member, Advisor and Venture Investor
Former Chief Innovation Officer, BlackRock
United States of America
Kfir Godrich is the Founder of mAIndfulness, a think tank and venture platform focused on artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, fintech and digital infrastructure. He spent nearly 12 years at BlackRock, serving as Chief Innovation Officer and Global Head of Technology, where he led initiatives in AI, data, cybersecurity and technology innovation. Previously, he held senior technology leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard. Kfir is an active venture investor, board member and advisor, supporting companies developing next-generation technologies for financial services and enterprise infrastructure.
Gary Hoberman
CEO
Unqork
United States of America
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Gary Hoberman
CEO
Unqork
United States of America
Gary Hoberman is the Founder and CEO of Unqork, an enterprise technology company pioneering no-code and AI-powered application development. With more than 30 years of technology leadership experience, he previously served as Executive Vice President and Global CIO at MetLife and held senior technology roles at Citigroup. Founded in 2017, Unqork helps large organizations modernize legacy systems and build secure, mission-critical applications. Gary is a recognised entrepreneur and advocate for enterprise AI, digital transformation, and innovation in financial services.
Suneel Gokhale
Co-Founder and General Partner
VentureSouq
United Arab Emirates
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Suneel Gokhale
Co-Founder and General Partner
VentureSouq
United Arab Emirates
Suneel is a Co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq, a Dubai-based venture capital firm focused on global, early-stage technology investments.
Prajit Nanu
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Nium
Singapore
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Prajit Nanu
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Nium
Singapore
Prajit Nanu leads Nium’s corporate and product strategy as the company advances toward seamless, on-demand global money movement. Under his leadership, Nium has achieved significant global recognition, including being named twice to the CB Insights Fintech 250 and featured on the Financial Times list of High-Growth Companies. He plays a central role in shaping Nium’s strategic direction, driving innovation, and expanding its global payments infrastructure to power real-time cross-border transactions for businesses worldwide.
GV Ravishankar
Managing Director
Peak XV Partners Middle East Advisors Private Limited
United Arab Emirates
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GV Ravishankar
Managing Director
Peak XV Partners Middle East Advisors Private Limited
United Arab Emirates
GV is a Managing Director at Peak XV Partners, where he leads the firm’s growth investing practice. He has spent more than two decades at the firm, partnering with founders across technology, consumer and financial services in India and the Middle East.
GV currently serves on the boards of Alaan Pay, Eruditus Learning, Five Star Finance, Finova Capital, HomeLane, Huspy, K12 Techno Services, Lean Technologies, Rebel Foods, Rupeek, Tabby, Turtlemint and First Club.
Ian Cramb
COO
Union Bancaire Privee
Switzerland
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Ian Cramb
COO
Union Bancaire Privee
Switzerland
Ian Cramb joined UBP in November 2009 as Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Executive Committee. Prior to this, he served as EMEA Consumer Chief Operating Officer at Citigroup, where he began his career in 1992 and held several senior leadership roles, including Risk Manager, Head of Human Relations, Chief of Staff, and COO. With extensive experience across risk, operations, and executive management, he brings deep institutional expertise to UBP’s leadership team. Mr. Cramb holds a degree in Modern Languages from Durham University.
Ahmad Abu Eideh
Chief Executive Officer
Jordan Ahli Bank
Jordan
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Ahmad Abu Eideh
Chief Executive Officer
Jordan Ahli Bank
Jordan
Ahmad Abu Eideh is CEO and General Manager of Jordan Ahli Bank, bringing over three decades of international and regional banking leadership to the role since his appointment in April 2026. He has held senior leadership positions at Standard Chartered, HSBC and ABN AMRO, leading operations across Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon through several of the region's most complex economic cycles. He went on to serve as CEO of United Arab Bank and later Invest Bank in the UAE, where he led transformation agendas and delivered measurable growth across both institutions.
Ashish Mehrotra
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Northern Arc Capital
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Ashish Mehrotra
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Northern Arc Capital
Ashish Mehrotra is a seasoned financial services leader who has held senior CXO and Managing Director roles, building and managing large profit centres across diverse product lines and geographies. With extensive experience in complex and highly competitive markets, he has successfully led businesses through credit and economic crises while delivering sustained growth and strong financial performance. Known for driving strategic build-outs of new revenue streams and business transformation initiatives, he combines analytical thinking with disciplined execution. With deep expertise in retail financial services across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, he is recognized for building high-growth, performance-driven franchises.
Ravi Viswanathan
Founder and Managing Partner
New View Capital
United States of America
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Ravi Viswanathan
Founder and Managing Partner
New View Capital
United States of America
Ravi Viswanathan is the Founder and Managing Partner of NewView Capital, a venture investment firm focused on high-potential technology companies, particularly in enterprise software and fintech. He founded the firm in 2018 after raising $1.35 billion and orchestrating a portfolio acquisition of 31 companies from New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Previously, he was a General Partner at NEA, where he co-led its Technology Venture Growth Equity practice. His earlier experience includes roles at Goldman Sachs and McKinsey & Company. He holds an MBA from Wharton, a PhD in Chemical Engineering from UC Santa Barbara, and a bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Fabian Khoshbakht
Head of Global Payments and Trade Asia Pacific (APAC)
BNY
Singapore
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Fabian Khoshbakht
Head of Global Payments and Trade Asia Pacific (APAC)
BNY
Singapore
Fabian Khoshbakht is a senior financial services executive at BNY, leading the strategy, sales and governance of its Global Payments & Trade business across Asia Pacific. With over 25 years of experience in treasury services, he focuses on cross-border payments, liquidity management, trade finance, digital innovation and fintech partnerships. Before joining BNY, he served as CFO and Treasurer at Caruso Real Estate and held various product, sales and consulting roles at ANZ and J.P. Morgan.
Jigar Patel
Managing Director - Global Head of Fintech & Internet
Morgan Stanley
USA
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Jigar Patel
Managing Director - Global Head of Fintech & Internet
Morgan Stanley
USA
Simon Sharp
Senior Partner
Global Ventures
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Simon Sharp
Senior Partner
Global Ventures
Jurgen Heppe
Head Financial Sponsor Coverage, MENA
Standard Bank
UAE
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Jurgen Heppe
Head Financial Sponsor Coverage, MENA
Standard Bank
UAE
Jurgen is the Head Financial Sponsor Coverage, MENA at Standard Bank, having worked within the Standard Bank Group’s Corporate and Investment Banking division for the past 16 years in Client Coverage roles. He has over 28 years investment banking experience in New York, London, and Dubai. Prior to Standard Bank, he was with Deutsche Bank, Lehman Brothers and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Jurgen graduated from London Business School with a Master in Finance degree.
Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo
General Manager, MENA
Checkout.com
UAE
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Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo
General Manager, MENA
Checkout.com
UAE
Abbondandolo is a seasoned business leader and public speaker with extensive experience driving growth across MENA, Africa, and APAC.
Callie Wang
Manager, Regulatory Sandbox & Innovation Pathways, Innovation Department
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
United Kingdom
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Callie Wang
Manager, Regulatory Sandbox & Innovation Pathways, Innovation Department
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
United Kingdom
Dr Callie Wang is Manager of the Regulatory Sandbox and Innovation Pathways team at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), where she leads services that help firms test innovative propositions and navigate regulation. She has over a decade of experience across banking, risk management, regulatory supervision and innovation, including senior roles at Barclays and Close Brothers, alongside academic expertise in finance and emerging technologies.
Axel Walek
CEO and Board Director
Deep Finance Capital
United Arab Emirates
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Axel Walek
CEO and Board Director
Deep Finance Capital
United Arab Emirates
Axel Walek is the CEO and Board Director of Deep Finance Capital. He brings over 17 years of experience in corporate governance, compliance, anti-money laundering (AML) and risk management across the GCC and international markets. Previously, he was a partner at a Vienna-based asset management firm, where he helped grow assets under management to €1.6 billion as part of Austria’s largest private investment group. At Deep Finance Capital, he focuses on combining institutional-grade governance with AI-driven investment capabilities and disciplined financial strategies. He holds a Master’s degree in Strategy from the University of the Arts London.
Neo Sesame Mooki
Chair
Botswana Stock Exchange
Italy
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Neo Sesame Mooki
Chair
Botswana Stock Exchange
Italy
Neo Mooki, Chairperson of the Botswana Stock Exchange, drives the BSE 10X Strategy to establish Botswana as a regional capital markets hub. Previously, as MD and Head of Investment Solutions at Generali, she built and scaled a €130bn Unit-Linked investment solutions engine, contributing to over €20bn in business growth. She holds an Executive MBA from Oxford with distinction.
Paul Kayrouz
Chief Fintech Officer
Central Bank of the UAE
United Arab Emirates
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Paul Kayrouz
Chief Fintech Officer
Central Bank of the UAE
United Arab Emirates
Paul is the Chief Fintech Officer at the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), where he is spearheading several key financial market transformation programs. Paul has pioneered several nationwide and large scale forward-thinking programs to foster innovation, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and promote collaboration between financial institutions, global and local fintechs, and tech firms.
Dhiraj Kunwar
General Manager, Retail & Business Bnking
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)
United Arab Emirates
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Dhiraj Kunwar
General Manager, Retail & Business Bnking
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)
United Arab Emirates
Dhiraj Kunwar is a senior banker with more than 25 years of experience across Retail, SME, Commercial Banking and Real Estate finance. Before joining CBD, he held leadership roles at RAKBANK, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Mashreq and HSBC. Most recently, he served as Managing Director at RAKBANK, overseeing its SME and commercial banking businesses, retail branch network and real estate finance portfolio.
He has also contributed to the UAE banking sector as Co-Chair of the UAE Banks Federation’s SME Committee. Dhiraj holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from IBS Hyderabad and has completed the Executive Programme in General Management at MIT Sloan School of Management.
Razvan Dumitrescu
Digital & Sustainable Finance
Emirates NBD Capital
United Arab Emirates
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Razvan Dumitrescu
Digital & Sustainable Finance
Emirates NBD Capital
United Arab Emirates
Razvan is the Head of Digital & Sustainable Finance at Emirates NBD Capital and facilitates labelled transactions globally. Milestone deals include the first SLLB aligned to the ICMA & LMA best practice, first Sustainability Sukuk out of the UAE, largest SLL from the Turkish market, first public issuance of digital native notes out of MENAT on Euroclear’s D-FMI platform, etc. Razvan also contributes to ICMA-led working groups such as the Primary Market Innovation Project, Sustainable Sukuk Guidance and SLLB Taskforce.
Eric Rosenthal
CEO and Co-Founder
Cordant
United States of America
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Eric Rosenthal
CEO and Co-Founder
Cordant
United States of America
Eric Rosenthal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cordant, a technology company helping banks and fintechs improve visibility, coordination and control across complex financial infrastructure. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Rapyd, where he helped scale the global payments platform to over $1 billion in revenue and 1,500 employees, leading expansion across 16 countries. His earlier experience includes positions at McKinsey & Company, Citibank and Fiserv. Eric specialises in global payments, fintech strategy, financial infrastructure and scaling technology businesses.
Stephen Richardson
Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Banking
Fireblocks
Singapore
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Stephen Richardson
Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Banking
Fireblocks
Singapore
Stephen has multiple years of experience in both traditional and crypto-focused financial institutions. Stephen’s role at Fireblocks involves structuring, developing, and evaluating strategic opportunities with traditional financial services and native digital asset companies that align with the growth of the Fireblocks platform. Prior to Fireblocks, he was Senior Manager in the Financial Services practice of Accenture Strategy, focused on transforming customer experience and digital enablement programs for leading Financial Services firms. Prior to Accenture, he was Head of Strategy and Head of Product (Business) for Noble Markets, where he evaluated and implemented key strategic objectives, including development of Noble’s banking and trade settlement products.He holds a B.A. from Cornell University and MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Michael Vessey
Chief Data Officer
CBUAE
United Arab Emirates
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Michael Vessey
Chief Data Officer
CBUAE
United Arab Emirates
Michael Vessey is Chief Data Officer at the Central Bank of the UAE. He leads the bank’s data and AI strategy, governance, and risk management, turning information into a core strategic asset for the UAE’s financial system.
He heads the design and implementation of the CBUAE Group AI strategy, ensuring AI is used safely, responsibly, and at scale across the organisation. His remit covers data risk, analytics, AI, and regulatory reporting, working with policymakers and financial institutions to strengthen the resilience of the financial sector.
With more than 25 years’ experience in central banking, capital markets, retail banking, and asset management, Michael has led major data and AI transformations at CBUAE, HSBC, ADIA, and RBC Capital Markets, where he built enterprise-wide data frameworks, improved data quality, and supported regulatory compliance.
He is active in the data and AI community, mentoring startups and advising on innovation in financial services. Michael speaks English, French, and Spanish.
Michael Chan
Chief Executive Officer
Zand
United Arab Emirates
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Michael Chan
Chief Executive Officer
Zand
United Arab Emirates
Under Zand CEO Michael Chan, the UAE-based AI-native and blockchain-powered bank is the first UAE bank offering institutional-grade digital asset custody, launched the first regulated, multi-chain AED-backed stablecoin, and the youngest bank with an investment-grade credit rating.
Fahmi Iskander
Partner & Chief Investment Officer
O Gold Precious Metals Trading LLC
United Kingdom
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Fahmi Iskander
Partner & Chief Investment Officer
O Gold Precious Metals Trading LLC
United Kingdom
Rashid Basheer Rahim Karuppamveettil
Head - Digital Channels
Al Ansari Exchange
United Arab Emirates
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Rashid Basheer Rahim Karuppamveettil
Head - Digital Channels
Al Ansari Exchange
United Arab Emirates
Rashid Basheer is a digital financial services leader driving customer-led innovation across payments and remittances.
Jayesh Patel
CEO
Wio Bank
United Arab Emirates
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Jayesh Patel
CEO
Wio Bank
United Arab Emirates
Bashir Kazour
Managing Director
Taurus
United Arab Emirates
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Bashir Kazour
Managing Director
Taurus
United Arab Emirates
Bashir Kazour is a leading voice in digital assets in the UAE and a banking and fintech executive with more than two decades of experience across capital markets operations, vendor management, and institutional digital asset custody and tokenization in the Middle East.
Ahmed Abdeltawab
CEO
O GOLD PRECIOUS METALS
United Arab Emirates
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Ahmed Abdeltawab
CEO
O GOLD PRECIOUS METALS
United Arab Emirates
Ahmed Abdeltawab brings over 20 years of extensive experience in stock markets and brokerage management. With a strong background in financial markets, strategic planning, and operational leadership, he plays a pivotal role in driving OGOLD’s growth and innovation. Ahmed shapes OGOLD’s success through visionary leadership, sound strategic direction, and deep industry expertise.
Paul Boots
Senior Director - Head of Sector Development
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
United Arab Emirates
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Paul Boots
Senior Director - Head of Sector Development
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
United Arab Emirates
Paul Boots, Head of Sector Development at the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), is a senior executive with extensive experience across financial services, technology, innovation, and market development. As the founding Group COO of Beehive, he helped pioneer the region’s peer-to-peer financing sector, while his earlier leadership at DMCC saw him develop commodity trade finance platforms and strategic partnerships. He has also led the creation of large-scale digital marketplaces and advised UAE organisations on leadership, transformation, and emerging technologies.
Rafael Gomes
Managing Director
Accenture
United Arab Emirates
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Rafael Gomes
Managing Director
Accenture
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Rafael Gomes is a Managing Director at Accenture, where he leads the firm's Risk, Resilience, and Regulation consulting practice in MEA. Over 20 years, he has supported banks, regulated fintech, regulators, and public authorities to deploy infrastructure, strengthen governance, stabilise complex environments, and advance leading technologies including AI and crypto assets.
Herman Schueller
Director, Innovation and Technology Risk, Supervision
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
United Arab Emirates
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Herman Schueller
Director, Innovation and Technology Risk, Supervision
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
United Arab Emirates
Herman Schueller is the Director of Innovation and Technology Risk at the DFSA. He leads the Supervision of FinTech and Digital Assets, as well as the management of Cyber Security and Technology Risk of Authorised Firms operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Driving innovation within the FinTech ecosystem, Herman is committed to shaping the future of financial services infrastructure through cutting-edge solutions and strategic collaboration. Before joining the DFSA, Herman was the Head of Digital Transformation at the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE), spearheading the implementation of key digital payments strategies. He oversaw the Digital Transformation team within Strategy, helping to develop initiatives in Open Finance, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and the creation of the Central Bank’s Innovation Hub. Prior to his time at the CBUAE, Herman was at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong and Singapore where he led the Digital Transformation & Innovation team for Hong Kong, enhancing project management capabilities across Greater China and North Asia.
Ehsan Rahman
Co-founder & CEO
KamelPay
United Arab Emirates
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Ehsan Rahman
Co-founder & CEO
KamelPay
United Arab Emirates
Ehsan Rahman is Co-founder & CEO of KamelPay, a UAE-born fintech licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. He has built KamelPay around two critical needs for modern businesses: payroll and corporate payments. Today, the platform supports 2,000+ corporates, helping finance teams manage workforce salary and simplified corporate payments. With a background in investment banking, Ehsan brings a strong understanding of regulation, capital and scalable financial infrastructure.
Arif Khan
Chief Innovation Officer
Razorpay
India
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Arif Khan
Chief Innovation Officer
Razorpay
India
Attached
Saad Kaleem
Global Chief Executive Officer
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
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Saad Kaleem
Global Chief Executive Officer
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
Saad Kaleem is the Global Chief Executive Officer of Pay10 and a seasoned banking and payments executive with more than two decades of experience across banking, financial institutions, remittances, digital payments and fintech.
Before joining Pay10, Saad built his career with leading global and regional financial institutions, including Citibank, United Bank Limited (UBL), Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and MoneyGram International. His banking career covered corporate and transaction banking, financial institutions, correspondent banking, global remittances, payments, product development and international business.
Over the years, he has held senior leadership positions with responsibility for financial institutions, correspondent banking, transaction banking, remittances and payment services. This combination of traditional banking and modern payments experience has given him a strong understanding of how banks, fintechs, regulators and payment networks can work together to build efficient and compliant financial ecosystems.
As Global CEO of Pay10, Saad leads the Group’s international strategy, regulatory expansion and market development. He works closely with central banks, governments, financial institutions and strategic partners across multiple markets.
His focus at Pay10 spans regulated digital payments, merchant acquiring, alternative payment methods, cross-border payments and remittances, Open Finance, digital assets, QR payments and payment interoperability.
Saad is particularly focused on connecting regulated financial ecosystems across borders and developing payment infrastructure that can support consumers, merchants, banks and financial institutions while meeting local regulatory requirements.
His transition from traditional banking into fintech gives him a practical perspective on the evolution of financial services, combining institutional banking experience with the speed and technology-led approach of modern payments.
Today, he is leading Pay10’s global expansion with a focus on regulatory engagement, strategic partnerships, financial inclusion and building interoperable payment infrastructure across international markets.
Katerina Zemskova
Chief Digital Asset Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
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Katerina Zemskova
Chief Digital Asset Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
Fintech is one of those industries where you can’t stand still. AI, open finance, digital assets and the convergence of Web2 and Web3 are continuously changing how money moves globally. At Pay10, we believe in staying close to these shifts, understanding the real use cases of our clients and turning new possibilities into practical solutions and new flows. That’s what makes this space so interesting to build in.
George Rahhal
Global Executive Director
Capital Haus
United Arab Emirates
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George Rahhal
Global Executive Director
Capital Haus
United Arab Emirates
George Rahhal is Global Executive Director at Capital Haus and Portfolio Manager at Terra Lumin, with more than 19 years of investment experience across Australia, the UAE and the UK. He specialises in investment strategy, portfolio construction, asset management and structured finance, working with high net worth individuals, family offices and institutional investors across global markets.
Ananth Nagaraj
Co-founder & CTO
Gnani AI
India
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Ananth Nagaraj
Co-founder & CTO
Gnani AI
India
Ananth Nagaraj is the Co-Founder and CTO of Gnani AI, where he leads technology strategy, product management, customer engagement, and delivery. His work centers on speech and language systems that simplify how people interact with machines, with a focus on making technology accessible to Indians across languages.
He has been central to Gnani AI's evolution from conversational AI to a full agentic voice platform, combining speech-to-speech models, industry-specific small language models, and agentic workflows. These systems power voice automation for enterprises in banking, insurance, telecom, and customer service.
Sujeet Tyagi
Chief Operating Officer
Montran Corporation India
India
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Sujeet Tyagi
Chief Operating Officer
Montran Corporation India
India
Sujeet Tyagi is the Chief Operating Officer at Montran India, where he leads strategic operations and the delivery of mission-critical financial infrastructure. With extensive global experience in payment systems, he has led large-scale, real-time payment implementations across diverse markets. His expertise spans payment modernization, clearing and settlement systems, digital transformation, and end-to-end program delivery.
Antoine Chemali
CEO of BNP Paribas Wealth Management MEA
BNP Paribas
UAE
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Antoine Chemali
CEO of BNP Paribas Wealth Management MEA
BNP Paribas
UAE
Antoine Chemali is the Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas Wealth Management Middle East and Africa, based in Dubai. With extensive experience advising private and institutional clients across the US, Europe, and the GCC, he has led strategic initiatives in asset management, corporate finance, M&A, and investment strategy. Prior to BNP Paribas, he held senior leadership roles, including CEO and board member positions within a group of companies linked to the UAE Royal Family, overseeing diversified investments across banking, real estate, oil and gas, and industry. Antoine is also the co-founder of Digital World Capital, a London-based multi-asset hedge fund focused on technology sectors. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from McGill University and Stanford University, and an MBA from INSEAD.
Bernard Ferran
MD, Group Chief Commercial Officer
Euroclear
United Arab Emirates
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Bernard Ferran
MD, Group Chief Commercial Officer
Euroclear
United Arab Emirates
Bernard Ferran is Managing Director and Group Chief Commercial Officer at Euroclear, where he has worked since 2001. He leads global sales and client relationships, serving 2,200 clients in 120+ countries with US$50 trillion in assets under custody. He previously spent 11 years as Chief Representative Officer in Dubai. Before Euroclear, he worked at MasterCard and GSI. He holds a BA from the European Business School, London, and an LBS certificate.
Loay Shannak
Business and Sales Director
HyperPay
United Arab Emirates
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Loay Shannak
Business and Sales Director
HyperPay
United Arab Emirates
fintech and digital payments leader with nearly 18 years of experience across the GCC and MENA. As Director of Business Development at HyperPay, I lead regional expansion, product innovation and strategic growth. I've launched payment businesses and digital products across multiple markets, working closely with banks, regulators and fintech partners. I'm focused on open finance and shaping the future of payments in the region
Bryan Zhang
Executive Director & Executive Chair
Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance & Financial Innovation for Impact
United Kingdom
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Bryan Zhang
Executive Director & Executive Chair
Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance & Financial Innovation for Impact
United Kingdom
Bryan Zhang is the Executive Chair of the Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii) and he is also the Executive Director of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Bryan is also a Co-Creator of the Cambridge Digital Innovation and Regulation Initiative (C:\>DIR), co-convened by Agustin Carstens and Gillian Tett.
Bryan has co-authored more than 70 impactful industry and policy reports on financial and regulatory innovation nationally, regionally and globally. Fii and CCAF collaborate closely with more than 330 central banks and regulatory authorities around the world on evidence-based research, innovation and digital transformation, as well as education and capacity building.
Bryan joined the Board of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in February 2024 as a Non-Executive Director and is currently its Chair of Board Risk Committee. He is also a member of Bank of England’s CBDC Engagement Forum, IMF's FAS Advisory Group, OECD's Steering Group on SME & Entrepreneurship Finance, Central Bank of UAE’s Financial Inclusion and Literacy Advisory Group, Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) Innovation Panel and the Bretton Woods Committee. He co-chairs the Future of Global FinTech Initiative, a collaboration between CCAF and the World Economic Forum. He was educated at Cambridge and Oxford Universities.
Arshad Ghafur
President Middle East and North Africa
Bank of America
United Arab Emirates
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Arshad Ghafur
President Middle East and North Africa
Bank of America
United Arab Emirates
Arshad Ghafur, President Middle East and North Africa, Bank of America
Dimitris Kantzelis
CEO
XSpot Wealth - XSpot 360
United Kingdom
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Dimitris Kantzelis
CEO
XSpot Wealth - XSpot 360
United Kingdom
Dimitris Kantzelis is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of XSpot Wealth, an international wealth management firm at the forefront of integrating advanced investment strategies with next-generation financial technology. Widely recognised for his forward-thinking approach to portfolio construction and client engagement, he is leading the firm’s transformation toward an AI-driven, globally connected wealth advisory model.
Experienced across global capital markets, Dimitris has held senior roles spanning institutional research, proprietary trading, and alternative investment strategies. His career includes positions as a Senior Analyst at a NYSE-listed brokerage firm, a Trader in London’s financial markets, and an Analyst at a Chicago-based Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA), providing him with a rare cross-asset and international market perspective.
As an industry voice on the future of wealth management, Dimitris focuses on the convergence of artificial intelligence, behavioural finance, and personalised investment solutions. He regularly contributes market insights, participates in global industry forums, and advises on the evolving relationship between technology, risk management, and client experience in modern wealth management.
Anita Wieja-Caruba
Legal & Policy Expert
Capital Market Authority
United Arab Emirates
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Anita Wieja-Caruba
Legal & Policy Expert
Capital Market Authority
United Arab Emirates
Anita works as Legal Expert at the Capital Market Authority of the UAE and former Associate Director of Policy & Legal at the DFSA, DIFC. Her experience spans regulatory initiatives in capital markets, FMIs, banking, tokenization, digital assets, crisis management and AI. Previously, she advised the European Commission’s Commissioner Michel Barnier on post-GFC financial reforms and represented the institution at the FSB, IOSCO, and the ECB. A qualified solicitor since 2010, her experience includes positions at BNP Paribas CIB and SJ Berwin. She holds degrees from Cambridge, Harvard, BPP Law School, the College of Europe, and the University of Silesia.
Efe Örkiz
Director, Technology Strategy & Design
DefineX
Turkey
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Efe Örkiz
Director, Technology Strategy & Design
DefineX
Turkey
Efe Örkiz is Principal and Head of Technology Consulting at DefineX, where he leads the firm's AI-native banking agenda. He partners with banks across Türkiye and the Middle East to architect AI-native digital cores, redesign technology operating models and embed AI across the software delivery lifecycle. With 15+ years at DefineX and Accenture, he has led large-scale transformation programs in financial services. He is Co-Founder of Domain-Driven Design Türkiye.
Brian Byagaba
Head - Fintech, FSRA
ADGM
United Arab Emirates
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Brian Byagaba
Head - Fintech, FSRA
ADGM
United Arab Emirates
Brian Byagaba is Head of Fintech at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre. He leads the FSRA’s work on regulated activities involving digital finance and emerging technology.
His role spans policy, authorisation support, and supervision of licensed firms using advanced technologies. His areas of focus include virtual assets, tokenised securities, fiat-referenced tokens, DeFi-related business models, and data driven supervisory capabilities.
Drawing on a career across entrepreneurial fintech, Big 4 advisory, and risk management in various jurisdictions, Brian focuses on how technology changes the risk profile of regulated activities. His work helps shape progressive regulatory frameworks, supervisory capabilities, and develop technology-led projects that improve the fintech ecosystem in the UAE.
Syed Ali
Chief Executive Officer
myZoi Financial Inclusion Technologies LLC
United Arab Emirates
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Syed Ali
Chief Executive Officer
myZoi Financial Inclusion Technologies LLC
United Arab Emirates
Syed Muhammad Ali is the CEO of myZoi, a UAE fintech focused on financial inclusion for underbanked communities. With 27+ years across fintech, corporate banking, cash management and trade finance, including Standard Chartered and Emirates NBD, he now leads myZoi in building inclusive payroll, payments and remittance solutions.
Akash Nainwal
Deputy CEO and Global Head of Cross-Border and Treasury
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
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Akash Nainwal
Deputy CEO and Global Head of Cross-Border and Treasury
Pay10
United Arab Emirates
Akash Nainwal is the Deputy CEO and Global Head of Cross-Border and Treasury at PAY10, with over two decades of experience across banking, remittances, payments and fintech. His career combines leadership in Indian banking with building and scaling regulated financial services across the Middle East and international markets. Before joining PAY10, Akash held leadership roles at HDFC Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, UAE Exchange, SADAD and BEYON Money. His experience spans retail and premier banking, cards and merchant services, country management and digital remittance, giving him a broad understanding of the commercial and operational foundations of payment businesses. Cross-border remittance is a central focus of his work. At PAY10, he leads corridor development and banking and payout partnerships for P2P and B2B payment flows, connecting market requirements, corridor economics, FX and last-mile delivery. Previously, as Regional Head of Digital Remittance at BEYON Money, he led the scale-up of its remittance business, delivering strong growth in volumes, transactions and revenue. His treasury responsibilities encompass liquidity management, prefunding and settlement coordination across payment corridors. He works to align funding requirements, banking dependencies and payout readiness with transaction flows, supported by reconciliation and operational controls. Akash has helped build operating frameworks for digital wallets, merchant acquiring, payment acceptance and QR code payments. His focus on interoperability spans the connections between banks, wallets, payment networks and merchant acceptance channels, helping translate payment integrations into practical services for consumers and businesses. Working with regulators, banks, technology providers and strategic partners, he brings together payment operations, Open Finance, settlement and governance to support multi-country expansion. His experience also includes fiat on-ramp and off-ramp operating models and partnerships for stablecoin-enabled cross-border settlement, connecting emerging payment models with banking and local payout infrastructure. Akash focuses on building connected payment ecosystems through remittance partnerships, effective liquidity management, interoperable payment rails and disciplined execution. He brings a practical perspective on how financial institutions and fintechs can collaborate to make domestic and cross-border payments more efficient, accessible and reliable.
George Theocharides
Chairman
Cyprus Securities Exchange
Cyprus
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George Theocharides
Chairman
Cyprus Securities Exchange
Cyprus
Dr George Theocharides (BΕng (Hons), MBA, PhD) is the Chairman of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). He is also the Chairman of the Risk Standing Committee (RSC). The RSC is part of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the successor of the Committee for Economic and Markets Analysis (CEMA), for which Dr. Theocharides served also as Chairman, between March and December 2022. He served as CySEC’s Vice Chairman from July 2020 to September 2021 and was previously a CySEC Board member. He has extensive experience working in the wider financial sector.
