Thimon de Jong runs WHETSTON / strategic foresight, a think tank specialised in future human behaviour, societal change & business strategy.

He is an experienced keynote presenter and leadership trainer and worked for clients like Morgan Stanley, Vodafone, and IKEA.

Thimon also lectures at the social psychology department of Utrecht University where he teaches master students how academic research can be practically applied to improve business strategy. He has a master’s degree in Cultural Studies with a minor in International Business Studies. He is a former insights & strategy director at TrendsActive, researcher at FreedomLab Future Studies and editor-in-chief of RELOAD Magazine.

Yancey Strickler is a writer, speaker, and the Cofounder and former CEO of Kickstarter. Kickstarter has helped filmmakers, musicians, writers, designers, artists, and other creative people raise more than $4 billion to bring new creative projects to life. Kickstarter projects have won Grammys and Oscars, entered the Museum of Modern Art, gone into space, and pioneered new fields of technology.

Yancey has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People, Fortune’s 40 Under 40, and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. He has spoken at the Museum of Modern Art, MIT Media Lab, Stanford, Columbia University, the Tribeca and Sundance Film Festivals, and events around the globe.

Yancey is also Cofounder of The Creative Independent, a growing resource of emotional and practical guidance for creative people. His writing has appeared in Pitchfork, Spin, The Village Voice, and The Washington Post. His first book, entitled “This Could Be Our Future,” will be published by Viking Press in Fall 2019.

Paul Allen has over 14 years of international legal experience in the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sectors. Paul focusses on non-contentious, IT & telecoms projects, with particular experience in the delivery of large-scale outsourcings, managed services and network related transactions.

Paul has developed an award-winning team in the Middle East. The team's legal knowledge covers the breadth of the TMT sectors, as well as boasting tri-lingual capabilities (Arabic / English / French).

Coordinating and project managing large teams is integral to Paul's role, in addition to delivering top quality legal services in large-scale outsourcing and IT & Telecoms projects.

Paul also advises clients on general IT, intellectual property, data protection and corporate matters. In this regard, Paul regularly advises international clients on their market strategies in the Middle East, and coordinates the provision of a broad range of corporate, commercial and dispute resolution related advice and support for those clients. He has assisted software developers with development, distribution and reseller agreements, undertaken major intellectual property assignments for innovation incubators, including an intellectual consultancy for a research-based university, and advised on an AU$ 200 million corporate takeover.

A geek at heart, Kelvin has over 15 years of experience in technology investment banking, venture capital and managing high-growth operations.

He is currently Head of Venture at Founders Factory, a global technology incubator and accelerator uniquely backed by industry-leading corporates, providing all start-ups with the unfair advantage of early access to partnership opportunities as well as support from a full-time team of 70 specialists, offering the best platform for founders to launch and scale their companies. As Head of Venture, Kelvin oversees all fundraising activities within the portfolio and provides full-stack end-to-end investment support.

Prior to Founders Factory, Kelvin was interim COO at Qumin, a next generation marketing company with a sole focus on opening the world to China. Before that, Kelvin was MD at Metail, a deep tech scale-up harvesting the power of computer vision, fashion and consumer data to make the apparel supply chain more efficient. At Metail, he was responsible for finance and operations, investor relations, and international business and corporate development.

Prior to getting his hands dirty as a start-up operator, Kelvin was a venture investor at DFJ (Draper Esprit) and worked at Credit Suisse and HSBC where he provided M&A and financing advice to technology corporates and SMEs globally.

Kelvin is an active angel investor in the technology space and currently sits on the board of a number of companies specialising in personalised commerce, marketing automation, mobile infrastructure, quantum cybersecurity and intelligent robotics.

Kelvin holds a first class Master's degree in Computer Science from Imperial College London

Gary Barnett leads the Technology element of GlobalData’s Thematic research program, bringing together the combined research of all of GlobalData’s technology analysts into a theme-based framework. Gary’s primary research focus is the practical application of technologies and methodologies to help to deliver sustainable transformation. He also advises organisations in the public and private sectors on the topics of the Strategy and Architecture, Digital Transformation, and on the impact of emerging technologies like Quantum Computing, Blockchain, the Internet of Things, and Blockchain. 

Before becoming an analyst, Gary worked first as a software engineer then as an enterprise architect in the UK and France, developing and designing mainframe and large-scale client-server applications. Gary also served as CIO and Membership Manager for the Royal Yachting Association, the UK’s national body for sailing. Gary continues to serve as the CTO for a non-profit IoT project. In 2015, Gary was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society of the Arts.

Martin specialises in structured credit and asset management acting for many of the world's leading private equity credit funds, banks and corporations, on complex funding structures, portfolio sales, securitization, derivative products and technology investment. He has over 25 years' experience working for and advising funds and financial institutions.

Leading a team of over 700 lawyers in more than 90 offices worldwide. The group provides advice on tax efficient structuring, vehicle formation and management, regulatory issues, vehicle funding and lending, asset acquisition and disposal including NPLs and consumer assets, capital markets listings and reporting, and asset management including portfolio repackaging and trading.

Martin is recognised as one of the world's leading FinTech lawyers (ranked in Legal 500) and advises on technology solutions for emerging and traditional funding structures. He is at the forefront of alternative investment strategies and products including applying new techniques through platform structures, digitalization and fund driven investment.

Daphne Bens has extensive experience in advising clients, (multi)national corporations as well as listed companies in complex cross border M&A transactions. Daphne's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures and general corporate law.

Daphne has a specific focus on the Technology sector and the Hospitality and Leisure sector and is member of the DLA Piper core teams in these sectors.

Kit Burden has extensive experience in the areas of outsourcing and complex technology transactions, advising both users and suppliers of IT, commercial and outsourcing services and in relation to all aspects of the procurement process.

Kit's work ordinarily involves him on business critical projects frequently valued in the hundreds of millions of pounds.

His clients include major retail banks, airlines, high street and online retailers, pharmaceutical companies, investment banks, outsource and IT service providers, and various name brand and multinational companies.

Giulio Coraggio advises some of the major land-based and online gaming operators as well as game suppliers on their business in Italy and their expansion in other jurisdictions.

Giulio has obtained substantial experience in drafting international commercial and technology contracts, including cloud projects, sourcing, outsourcing and software license agreements, sponsorship agreements, product and service supply, distribution and franchising agreements also in the fashion sector.

Furthermore, he has a strong focus in advising world leading operators on data protection, information technology and Internet law issues in relation also to the Internet of Things, wearable technologies and eHealth projects as well as on e-commerce, e-payment deals, telecommunications, unfair commercial practices and misleading advertising.

Giulio is the head of the Italian Technology sector and is the Global Co-Chair of the Internet of Things group. He also leads the Italian gaming and gambling practice.

Laura Da Silva Gomes is the Founder and Director of WePlayFair.org, a project aiming at preventing crime in sports, specifically female sports. Its mission is to help develop strong, captivating, exemplary and values-driven female sports. The first stage of the project is to provide education on sports integrity, responsible gaming, diversity & inclusion and social responsibility to athletes as well as sports stakeholders.

She is also the Director of Silverfish CSR, a social responsibility agency with a tech solution to address impact. She believes that businesses have no choice but to strive for more that just profit. There is no option but to consider positive and negative impacts on society and the environment and to address them with the same creativity that it takes to lead successful businesses.

Kevin Duffey is Managing Director of Cyber Rescue, the European leader in executive response to cyber-attack.

Kevin enjoyed two careers before his current role.

He worked in what we now call “Cyber” for 20 years, starting with IBM in the 1980s. Later he was CEO Scandinavia, CEO Asia, and on the Board of the UK’s largest systems integrator, Logica (now CGI). He oversaw digital innovation for banks, telcos and governments in over 20 countries, with clients ranging from GCHQ and the MoD, to the Reserve Bank of India and the Government of the Philippines.

Kevin’s second career has been in “Rescue”. He was headhunted into International SOS, and as Group General Manager he oversaw the evacuation of 4,000 people during the Arab Spring. Kevin deployed staff to respond to the Fukushima nuclear crisis and to fight Ebola in Sierra Leone. He was then headhunted to run G4S International, managing staff in 30 countries as they moved billions of dollars of gold and high-denomination currencies.

Kevin joined Cyber Rescue in 2015. He welcomes invitations to connect via LinkedIn.

Nick Fitzpatrick has a particular focus on copyright, digital broadcasting, television, sport, film and sponsorship.

Nick works with a full range of media clients, from US studios to private individuals. Nick is also co-chair of our global Media, Sport and Entertainment team.

Chloe Forster is a lead lawyer in our Technology Transactions and Strategic Sourcing group, advising on complex and strategic technology and sourcing transactions, including outsourcing, offshoring, IT change and digital transformation projects as well as the use of artificial intelligence and automation, blockchain and other digital and emerging technologies across multiple industries, geographies and sectors.

Chloe work regularly involves global, multi-tower and multi-vendor ecosystems, working with clients to structure deals accordingly, to maintain focus on achieving overall deal objectives.

Chloe's work often includes providing advice on multiple aspects of the sourcing process, including developing the contract structure, commercial construct, implementation approach, governance and performance management regimes.

Chloe's clients include major retail banks, pharmaceutical companies, high street and online retailers, global consumer goods brands and major hospitality and airline companies.

Luisella Giani, EMEA Industry Transformation Director at Oracle, has over 15 years of international experience leading digital strategy, operations and product development.

Following a degree in Artificial Intelligence, she started her career with iconic brands of the digital age, such as Skype, Netlog and Lycos. More recently she has been helping global businesses, such as Yellow Pages, Goodyear-Dunlop and DuPont Coating, with their digital transformations. Her role at Oracle is to help companies to continuously innovate defining, creating and realize new digital experiences.

Harveen Gill is founder and Joint Managing Director of HGA Group - the UK's leading international boutique recruitment and consultancy operator within fashion and retail.

With offices in London, Italy, Turkey, South Africa and Dubai, 50% of HGA Group's assignments sit in international territories. Clients of HGA Group include mid - sized organisations and blue – chip multiples. The unifying factor being that all are undergoing transformation. Retailers that secure the talent that deploy the correct technologies will be able to enhance their competitive advantage by personalising products and shopping experiences and refining logistical processes.

Harveen has ensured that her personal ethics, standards and vision underpin every touch point, as she and her team deliver top tier individuals and teams into organisations. Longevity is vital – many of her live client relationships span over a decade. She champions assignments within international and emerging markets whilst acting as brand ambassador for the business.

Although recruitment is the staple for HGA Group, Harveen is also Board Advisor to a technology established start – up - gowherewolf.com.

Her retail career includes working for John Lewis, New Look and Topshop.

Clare Gregory's practice focuses on the employment implications of business transfers and outsourcing, as well as senior executive severances. She has concentrated on employment law for over 10 years. Clare is experienced in managing cross border projects involving employment issues across several jurisdictions, and reporting to clients on multi-jurisdiction issues. She also regularly handles cases where instructions are received from outside of the UK. 

Clare has a particular interest in collective consultation and outsourcing issues and has been involved in advising on a Court of Appeal case involving the application of TUPE, as well as cases of significant value in both areas. Clare is regularly instructed by clients in relation to the removal and appointment of directors services sector.

She has a Masters in Engineering from Cambridge University and is a CFA charter holder.

Janine Hirt is the Chief Operating Officer and a Board Member at Innovate Finance (IF), the UK membership association for global FinTech.

Janine is responsible for monitoring key trends in FinTech and innovation to ensure Innovate Finance is continuously providing its membership community - from startups to multinational financial institutions - with the best support possible. She overseas IF’s 250+ member ecosystem and directly manages the relationship with its highest supporters.

Janine previously led corporate relations at Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) before joining the founding IF leadership team as Head of Membership then Ecosystem Director. She received her BA Magna Cum Laude from Boston College, JYA at Oxford University, and her MSc from the London School of Economics. Janine is an American, Swiss and German national who calls NYC and London home.

Athina is the chief analytics officer and global lead for Applied Intelligence, where she spends her time fueling AI innovation with data to drive new client value.  An accomplished innovator and data scientist, Dr. Kanioura was a founding member of Accenture’s analytics business where she ran sales and customer analytics globally and drove the company’s offering development around customer relationship management and personalization.  As Accenture’s global data science lead for the past 3 years, she grew Accenture’s data science team to more than 3,000 strong.  Most recently, she helped clients from the consumer goods, banking and telecommunications industry, where she is known for her deep relevance and impact. 

During her 14 years at Accenture, she’s held a variety of roles and built up a portfolio of specialties. Athina originally joined Accenture Marketing Services to stand up our Marketing Analytics CoEs in 2005, moved on to be the Global Customer and Marketing Analytics Lead for Accenture and 3 years ago the Chief Data Scientist. 

Athina specializes in data science, applied statistics and machine learning and has 14+ years of practical experience in Deep Learning, Machine Learning and Statistical Methods 

Athina has held various Teaching Positions in Imperial University, UMIST and Sheffield University. She holds a PhD in Macroeconomics and Econometrics from the University of Sheffield (UK). She is based out of London where she lives with her husband and two sons.

Martin Kissinger is the Founder and CEO of Lendable. Lendable offers personal loans to a broad range of borrowers by matching them up with qualified investors, using instant credit decisions and fully personalised pricing. Martin previously worked in venture development at Rocket Internet, and among other projects started the incubator's first fin-tech venture, Lendico. Prior to Rocket, he spent time at venture capital firms including Accel Partners. Martin graduated at the top of his class with a research masters degree in Economics from Oxford, and also holds a BSc from the London School of Economics.

Managing Director, EMEA Global Banking and Markets Technology and Head of EMEA Global Transaction Services Technology

Allison is responsible for EMEA Global Banking and Markets Technology. Global Banking & Markets Technology provides end-to-end technology solutions and support for Global Banking and Global Markets (including Equities, Electronic Trading, Rates and Currencies, Credit and Structured Products, Commodities, Sales and Capital Markets and Global Markets Operations & Middle Office, Wholesale Banking, Research, Commercial, Corporate and Investment Banking clients).

Allison is also head of EMEA Global Transaction Services Technology (GTST). Allison joined GTST in August 2016 and has overall responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of technology solutions supporting the global corporate and transaction services business in the region. In addition, she is also responsible for the International Treasury Management and Commercial Banking platforms managed within EMEA region and utilized globally across EMEA, APAC, LATAM, and the US.

Allison is a member of the GT&O Diversity and Inclusion forum in her role as co-lead of the EMEA GT&O and GBAM Technology D&I Council.

Prior to this role, Allison was Head of Equity Technology in Asia Pacific supporting the Asia Equities business operating their technology platform and providing solutions to improve trading, facilitate sales, and manage risk positions. Allison joined the bank in 2011 and has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years. Prior to joining the company she was at Deutsche Bank in London where she worked in Equity Derivatives and Group Treasury IT. Allison was previously with Merrill Lynch for 9 years working both in New York and London offices and started her career as part of the Merrill Lynch Graduate Program. Allison is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Engineering.

Alessandro Mantelero is Associate Professor of Private Law at the Polytechnic University of Turin.

He is Council of Europe Rapporteur on Artificial Intelligence and data protection. He has served as an expert on data regulation for several national and international organizations, including the UN–ILO, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the UN-OHCHR, the European Commission, the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, the Italian Ministry of Justice and the Italian Communications Authority (AGCOM).

He has held visiting appointments in several universities, including Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and Oxford Internet Institute at Oxford University. He is Co-Editor at Computer Law & Security Review and member of the editorial board of European Data Protection Law Review.  

Chris is an experienced industry expert in building cross functional teams, technology platforms and digital products for global brands.

He is currently leading development of the UK Open Banking Standard, including creation of the collaboration and governance model which covers both regulatory compliance and commercial requirements. Chris is a strategic innovator and founder of Ozone, a fintech providing PSD2/Open API technology solutions and advisory services to banks, third parties and regulators in UK, Europe and Globally.

Miro Parizek established Hampleton in 2013 with a group of fellow deal makers and technology industry entrepreneurs, uniting hands-on industry expertise and seasoned transaction experience together for the optimal M&A advisory. Miro has been providing M&A advisory services to the technology industry since the pre-dot.com era and has managed scores of transactions supporting privately-held sellers and publicly-traded companies, ranging from 20 to over 2,000 employees. Miro has 30 years of experience in the software and IT industry.

Prior to his M&A career, which began in 1998, Miro founded and ran three software and IT related firms in the ’80s and ’90s, including a leading international software vendor, North American Software. He was a founding member and, for over a decade, treasurer of the German Software Association, which was merged with the country’s multi-media association, creating today’s national association for digital economy (BVDW).

Miro’s experience spans virtually the entire information technology industry. He has managed and closed transactions in sectors as diverse as 3D-imaging, asset management, business intelligence, business performance management, compiler software, CRM, customer services, design collaboration, content and document management, data center automation, e-Learning, enterprise systems management, ERP, GIS sub-systems, human capital management, Internet commerce, IT services, logistics, SaaS, simulation, storage solutions, supply chain management, telecom products, unified messaging, video editing, workforce management and various other verticals. Miro is an avid skier, hiker and enjoys time with his wife and young twins.

Miro has degrees in International Finance from the Wharton School of Business and in Computer Science from the Moore School of Engineering. In addition to his English mother tongue, Miro speaks fluent German after having lived in Germany for over twenty years.

Uljan Sharka is Founder and CEO of iGenius, the AI company behind crystal, the first virtual advisor for data intelligence. He was previously a consultant at Apple. 

Uljan leads iGenius’ strategy and mission to bridge the gap between people and data using groundbreaking technology such as Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning.

A rising star in European AI innovation, Uljan was mentioned at the Web Summit, TechCrunch Disrupt and Startup Grind, among other events. He also featured in the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Under Uljan’s leadership, iGenius was selected by Facebook’s Accelerate program for thriving startups, and as a Google Cloud Platform case study for top use of Machine Learning, cloud technologies and fast data retrieval.

Ed Thomas is principal analyst in GlobalData’s technology thematic research team. Prior to joining GlobalData, he was market intelligence manager at AI company IPsoft and a senior analyst at Ovum, a research and consulting firm.

Patrick Van Eecke has deep experience in e-commerce related legal issues such as data protection, electronic signatures, consumer protection and advertising. He advises telecommunication companies, internet service providers, software developers, governments and companies using IT related services.

He is extensively involved in diverse consulting projects for the European Commission, national governments and multi-national global corporations.

Lawrence is a Co-Chair and Guarantor of GDF. He is a globally recognised digital finance advocate, advisor, and investment manager, over a career spanning more than 25 years. He is the principal of Elipses, an advisory and investment firm focused on digital disruption in the finance sector. He is the former CEO of Innovate Finance, a not-for-profit FinTech members association, which helped establish the UK as the premier FinTech Hub globally.

Michael is a Technical Director specialising in Cyber enterprise risk management within the transactions space, advising and working with both Private Equity (and their portfolio companies) as well as Corporate clients throughout the entire transactions lifecycle.

He was a founder member and led the creation of the end to end M&A service offerings for EY’s dedicated transactions cyber team.

He has a varied IT background consisting of both multi-sector industry and consultancy experience, holding various IT management and leadership roles at various global firms in various sectors
This varied career has led to him working all over Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America
Michael’s work involves him working on deals that are a few tens of thousands in value all the way up to tens of billions.

He is currently working for the world’s largest PE and Global corporates as part of his role at EY