14th November 2024
Unleashing Innovation: UAE's Vigilance to Address Regulatory Compliance Challenges
Venue: The H Dubai Hotel, Dubai, UAE
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Supporting Partners
Series Government Strategic Partners
About the Event
10th MENA Regtech Conference is a groundbreaking event dedicated to exploring the innovative applications of regulatory technology (RegTech) in the ongoing fight against money laundering (AML) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With an emphasis on the intersection of technology and compliance, this event aims to bring together industry experts, government officials, technology providers, and financial institutions to discuss the latest advancements, strategies, and best practices in combatting AML using RegTech solutions
UAE Edition｜November 15th, 2023
Saudi Edition｜February 7th, 2023
Qatar Edition｜February 21st, 2023
Event In Numbers
Speakers
Attendees
Case Studies
Leading Companies
Our 2024 conference is powered by the brilliant minds—past and present—who have shared their expertise, pushing boundaries and inspiring transformative ideas.
Keynote Speaker
Speakers
Mr. Imran Kazmi
Regional Head Regulatory Compliance & Data Protection
Habib Bank
Limited
Dr. Sebastian Heztler
Co – Chief Executive Officer
IMTF
Mr. Faisal Ahmed
Managing Partner & CEO
AKW Consultants
Mr. Khaled M Hegazy
Regional Sales Director
Nuix MENA
Mr. Stanford Cardoz
AML Director
BitOasis
Speaker
Mr. Pieter Vos
Regional Head of Compliance - Gulf
Habib Bank Limited
Bio:
With over 17 years of experience in Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime Compliance,
Pieter Vos is a seasoned Compliance Executive with a proven track record in driving impactful
multi-jurisdictional initiatives across 30 markets, including the Middle East, Africa, Europe,
and the US. An expert in regulatory risk and financial crime compliance, Pieter brings an
in-depth understanding of compliance dynamics, shaped through leadership roles in prominent
financial institutions.
Currently serving as the CBUAE-approved Head of Compliance, Pieter has achieved significant
milestones, including leading the compliance workstream for award-winning digital bank Ila
Bank in Bahrain and overseeing the implementation of the Fenergo Client Lifecycle Management
(CLM) Solution within Group Wholesale Banking at Bank ABC, streamlining digital onboarding for
legal entities. His accomplishments also extend to large-scale deployments, such as Program
Sponsor for the deployment of NICE Actimize across 20 jurisdictions.
Speaker
Mr. David Shepherd, CAMS, CertPAY
Global Head of Customer Risk Proposition, Risk Intelligence
London
Stock Exchange Group
Bio:
Currently Global Head of Customer Risk Proposition of the London Stock Exchange Group
(LSEG), including World-Check. Previously acted as Head of Strategy for Risk Intelligence,
Global Strategic Partner Director and Head of Market Development for the Middle East and
Africa at LSEG.
A multi award-winning Risk market specialist with 18+ years industry experience both in the
UK and Middle East. A Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), a Certified Global
Sanctions Specialist (CGSS), a qualified CertPAY professional (London Institute of Banking
and Finance), a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), who also
holds a Diploma in Financial Crime and Compliance. Completed the Executive Program in 2018
with MIT for AI and Machine Learning, with practical application for the financial crime
industry.
Held the role of Group Secretariat for the MENA Financial Crime Compliance Group (MENA
FCCG), since its' inception in September 2016.
A permanent member of the Advisory Panel of the MENA Chapter of the Global Coalition to
Fight Financial Crime since 2021. A member of the UAE Government Public, Private Sector,
Technology Working Group.
Speaker
Mr. Kaise Zakkar
Senior Proposition Specialist, Customer & Third-Party Risk
Solutions
London Stock Exchange Group
Bio:
Kaise Zakkar is a senior proposition specialist for customer and Third-party risk solutions
at London Stock Exchange Group , with more than 16 years of experience enabling Financial
institutions to fulfil their anti-financial crime requirements across the Middle East and
Africa.
Kaise is a subject matter expert specialised in KYC & AML domains, working closely with
regulatory authorities across the region to strengthen the awareness of their AML & CFT
programs, and creating a culture of compliance across all sectors of the economy.
In his recent engagements, Kaise spearheaded the Compliance education campaigns dedicated
for the Startup communities across the region, specifically in the Fintech & Regtech
sectors, helping to embed an intelligent ecosystem of data, content, and technology to
identify and mitigate anti-financial crime and fraud risks, while achieving business growth
& acceleration.
Kaise is an active member of ACAMS, He holds a master’s degree in software engineering from
the University of Liverpool, and a Bachelor of Informatics Engineering.
Speaker
Mr. David Higuera
Co-Founder
Label
Bio:
David Higuera is the Co-Founder of Label, a leading RegTech firm dedicated to helping
financial institutions worldwide streamline and automate their FATCA & CRS operations. With
a unique blend of compliance expertise and technical acumen, David brings innovative
solutions to the evolving challenges of financial regulation.
Holding a MSc in Aerospace Engineering, David’s background extends beyond finance. He
previously developed mission-critical software for research projects at NASA, underscoring
his ability to bridge complex technical systems and high-stakes regulatory frameworks.
Speaker
Mr. Abidh CP
AML Expert
Ministry of Economy
Bio:
Abidh CP is a AML Expert with the Ministry of Economy. Abidh has been associated with the
precious metals market since 2011 working as a Chief Compliance Officer with Emirates Gold
Refinery.
At his role in DMCC for seven years, he had extensively worked in areas of accreditation of
refiners and building the Good Delivery Guidance grow from strength to strength.
Speaker
Dr. Ayesha Binlootah
Assistant Vice President - Licensing, Supervision, and
Assurance
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
Bio: A self-driven & ambitious leader with +14 Yrs. of experience in Licensing, Supervision, Digital Assurance, Inspection, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Information Security, Internal Control, Excellence, Service Improvement, Governance, Business Continuity Management, Crisis Management, Global & City Crisis Communication including COVID-19 city-level management with diverse industry experience of Financial Institutions, Virtual Assets, Tourism, Hospitality, Real Estate, Economic Development & Economic Acceleration & Public Sector. Vice Chairman of Emaar Development PJSC, Independent Director to SALIK PJSC. +10 Yrs. of Board of Governance experience at the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)– UAE Chapter, chaired several committees part of the Board of Governance, including International Committees & of the record-breaking International Audit Conference. I also hold several committee positions as independent director in publicly listed companies at DFM. In addition to key positions at the Federal Government, Dubai Government, Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, Department of Economy and Tourism. I hold a Doctorate of Business Administration in tourism investments I am a Certified Corporate Governance Practitioner from the UK Affiliation of Corporate Governance Practitioner & COSO Certified.
Speaker
Mr. Muhammad Rashid
Chief Compliance Officer
Jingle Pay
Bio:
Muhammad Rashid is a financial services compliance expert and digital disruption enthusiast
with over 19 years of in-depth experience across global financial services, consulting and
government sectors.. He has specialized in overseeing enterprise-wide compliance and risk
functions, focusing on areas such as AML/CFT, regulatory compliance, and fraud prevention.
Muhammad has successfully built comprehensive compliance and risk programs, provided
regulatory consultancy, and drafted key regulations and frameworks for regulators in Middle
East & Africa, leading financial institutions, payment services, Big 4 consulting firms,
fintech companies, and microfinance organizations.
With a unique combination of expertise in compliance transformation and operations
management, Muhammad has helped financial institutions navigate complex regulatory
environments and manage change effectively. His extensive experience in designing and
implementing robust compliance programs ensures businesses not only meet but exceed
regulatory standards. Muhammad is passionate about helping companies achieve efficient,
transparent, and compliant operations that withstand the evolving demands of the global
financial landscape.
Speaker
Mr. Zsombor Brommer
Chief Compliance Officer
United Arab Bank
Bio: Accomplished Chief Compliance Officer with over two decades of rich and diverse experience in global banking, specializing in Compliance and Digital Risk Management. Internationally recognized for driving holistic risk management strategies, aligning regulatory obligations with corporate objectives. A visionary leader committed to instilling a culture of compliance excellence, showcased by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award at the 2024 Middle East Banking AI and Analytics Summit.
Speaker
Mr. Anicet Fantar
EMEA Risk & Compliance Specialist
Dow Jones
Bio:
Anicet Fantar, Risk and Compliance Specialist, Israel and Middle East countries
Anicet Fantar is a Risk & Compliance Specialist at Dow Jones, currently supporting customers
across the EMEA region, including Israel, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and others.
With over 7 years of experience in the business information and news industry and 3 years at
Dow Jones, Anicet advises customers on the best solutions to help them mitigate regulatory
and
reputational risks. Prior to his current role in Europe, Anicet was a Risk and Compliance
Specialist at Refinitiv covering customers in France. Anicet is fluent in English, Spanish
and
French.
Speaker
Mr. Mahammad Ansar K A
Chief Compliance Officer
Redha Al Ansari Exchange
Bio: Mahammad Ansar K A is a distinguished compliance professional with over 16 years of expertise in regulatory compliance and operations. Currently serving as the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) at Redha Al Ansari Exchange, Mr. Ansar has previously held similar positions across various exchange houses in the UAE. He has a demonstrated history of ensuring adherence to Central Bank of the UAE standards and international regulations, successfully navigating regulatory requirements, enhancing compliance monitoring systems, and developing effective training programs. His efforts have notably improved the compliance frameworks and reputations of the institutions he has worked with. Additionally, Mr. Ansar active member in the AML Subcommittee of Foreign Exchange Remittance Group (FERG), where he contributes to industry discussions and regulatory workshops.
Speaker
Mr. Obay AlKhayat
Head of AML/CFT and Sanctions Operations | Financial Crimes Compliance
The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C)
Bio: Obay AlKhayat brings over 9 years of dedicated expertise to the forefront in combating financial crimes, playing a pivotal role in constructing his organization's robust compliance program. Notably, his strategic contributions ensured the successful preparation and examination of his organization during the FATF mutual evaluation of Qatar in 2022. Holding two advanced CAMS certifications, Obay currently heads the AML/CFT and Sanctions Operations at the Commercial Bank of Qatar. His proactive leadership ensures his bank's adherence to stringent regulatory standards, thereby safeguarding against illicit financial activities. With a keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to excellence, Obay's proficiency in financial crime prevention makes him an invaluable asset in the realm of compliance and risk management.
Speaker
Mr. Mohammad Ali Khan
Executive Director – Head of Client Onboarding & Lifecycle
Management
Bank of Singapore
Bio:
Mohammad Ali Khan is a banking professional with over 20 years of multi-geography
experience.
As Compliance and Fraud Risk practitioner he has held Senior positions with multinational
banks including Standard Chartered Bank (DIFC), HSBC and Barclays PLC. He is currently the
Executive Director, Head of Client Onboarding and Lifecycle Management at Bank of Singapore
As a leader in the Financial Crime space, Ali has been instrumental in AML/CDD process and
system improvements and worked on digitisation and straight through processing at the named
organisations.
Mohammad Ali is a practicing CFE and also holds a Degree in Finance from Tulsa College
Oklahoma, USA.
Speaker
Mr. Haseeb Ansari
Chief Compliance Officer
Emirates Islamic
Bio:
Haseeb Ansari is the Chief Compliance Officer at Emirates Islamic (part of the Emirates NBD
Group) and has more than 28 years of international banking experience, which includes
management of Regulatory and Financial Crime Compliance frameworks, as well as Governance
and
Operations. He has extensive experience in dealing with regulators, industry bodies, foreign
correspondent banks and vendors. He has been an active member in the Compliance community
and
currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF) Compliance Committee.
Prior to joining Emirates Islamic, Haseeb was the Chief Compliance Officer at United Arab
Bank
and previously, he completed more than 9 years at Barclays Bank PLC, where his last
assignment
was the Regional Head of Compliance for the Middle East. He originally started his career at
Citibank, managing a diverse spectrum of functional portfolios for over a decade.
Speaker
Mr. Osama Al Rahma
Head of Business Development
Emirates Investment Bank PJSC
Bio:
Osama Al Rahma has performed leadership roles across the financial sector and other
organizations and currently at Emirates Investment Bank as Head of Business Development and
Wealth Management. He has over 30 years of experience in the financial services.
Prior to Emirates Investment Bank, Osama worked at Al Fardan Exchange LLC and Al Fardan
Group since 1993 in many leadership roles and was CEO since 2011 and Director at the Group.
He has occupied other roles such as EX-Chairman of Foreign Exchange and Remittance Group (
FERG) under Dubai Chamber of Commerce and currently act as Advisor to the board . He was a
former Vice Chairman of Dubai Quality Group. He is an Independent Director and Advisor to
other Fintech and payment companies.
He holds a degree in Electronics Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management
Studies from the University of Hull. He is also an alumnus of J.F. Kennedy School of
Governments Executive Program in Leadership of Harvard University and holds a Harvard
Fintech Certificate. HE has Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Corporate Governance
Institute in Dublin.
Speaker
Mr. Muhammad Shafi Poyilan
Acting Head of AML Supervision
Ministry of Economy
Bio: Muhammad Shafi is the Acting Head of AML Supervision in the AML Unit of the Ministry of Economy, UAE. Muhammad is an Experienced Financial Crime Compliance professional with 15 years of progressive experience in AML/CFT predominantly through various financial institutions in UAE. Muhammad is a certified professional by ACAMS and ICA and currently pursuing a PhD with focus on AML/CFT. Muhammad has extensive experience in all aspects of Financial Crime Compliance including implementing AML/CFT and Sanctions Compliance framework, providing Business Advisory, establishing AML systems architecture, AML/CFT Training and awareness, Digital transformation and Conducting AML/CFT investigations.
Speaker
Dr. Yoonus C Ahammed
Director, FCSO TM Analytics
Standard Chartered Bank
Bio:
Dr. Yoonus is a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience in the financial
industry, holding a doctorate in mathematics and CAMS certification. Currently serving as
the
Director of FCSO TM Analytics at Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai, UAE, Yoonus has been
instrumental in driving the implementation of AI in combating financial crime. At Standard
Chartered Bank, Yoonus has spearheaded the creation and implementation of advanced AI and
machine learning models for transaction monitoring. Notably, he developed a Money Mule
Detection Model and a Shell Account Detection Model for several countries, with plans for
further expansion.
Yoonus is also deeply involved in the industry, serving as a Strategic Advisor for the MENA
Financial Crime Compliance Artificial Intelligence Working Group and as a member of the
Digital Working Group for the AML/CFT Partnership Forum. He has published a white paper on
technologies in anti-financial crime, showcasing his thought leadership and expertise in the
field.
Prior to his current role, Yoonus has held key positions at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and
Standard Chartered Bank GBS, where he managed teams and implemented various compliance
projects. With his strong background in mathematics and extensive experience in financial
crime compliance, Yoonus is a valuable asset in driving innovation and excellence in the
industry.
Speaker
Mr Sumit Sarkar
Group Head of Sanctions
Mashreq
Bio: Sumit Sarkar is a seasoned compliance risk professional and is currently the Group Head of Sanctions at a leading financial institution. In his current role, Sumit is responsible for overall leadership and management of Bank’s Global Sanctions Compliance Program. With more than 17 years of financial crime compliance experience, Sumit has held leadership positions at large global banks covering financial crime risk management functions across Asia Pacific, Africa, and Middle East regions. Sumit possesses extensive management experience in driving strategic bank wide financial crime compliance change programs, correspondent banking, implementation of state-of-the-art compliance technology systems and the management of global sanctions compliance programs
Speaker
Mr Christos Christou
Chief Compliance Officer
Lulu Financial Holdings
Bio: A professional Chief Compliance Officer with 30+ years in banking (Europe) and other non-banking (GCC) financial services. A proven executive management record of directing a diversified team of Compliance/RegTech/FinTech professionals and Member of the Board of Directors for FIs in GCC and APAC regions. A specialist in Payment Services, Crypto Assets, Regulatory and AML/CFT Compliance, Sanctions, Advanced Analytics and Forensics. Further to being a Board member within the Lulu Financial Group, he is chairing the Compliance Committees in all countries the Group has presence. A great career also as an adjunct lecturer for the Chartered Bankers Institute, Professional Academies, and Universities/Colleges in Europe and Middle East.
Speaker
Mr Tarek Howayek
Regional Head of AML and Compliance Policies
HSBC MENAT
Bio: With over 20 years of experience in banking, Tarek Howayek brings a wealth of knowledge in core banking business and compliance. His diverse background and expertise drive his commitment to achieving effective risk management and improving customer experience. Tarek is an expert in analyzing regulations, writing policies, and overseeing the effectiveness of compliance frameworks.He is passionate about leveraging continuous learning and technology to enhance the skills of compliance professionals, ensuring the achievement of effective and efficient risk management.Tarek holds a Master of Science in Management from the University of Liverpool, UK, and has obtained several professional certifications in compliance and related fields. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, running, and scuba diving. Tarek is married and has one daughter.
Speaker
Mr Ashraf Aly
Group Head of Compliance
Terrapay
Bio: Ashraf is a seasoned compliance professional who has spent over 8 years building and scaling compliance functions for fintechs, across a variety of industries including lending and payments. He started his career in the UK before moving to the UAE in 2021 where he is currently the Group Head of Compliance for TerraPay, a global provider of cross-border payments infrastructure.
Speaker
Mr. Amaresh Yardoni
Senior Manager
Fraud Operations Tamara
Bio: Fraud Management professional with 12 years of experience in the e-commerce and financial services industries. Currently leading strategic initiatives at Tamara in Dubai. Proven ability to identify, investigate, and resolve fraud issues, develop, and implement fraud prevention strategies, and build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders. Expertise in online fraud, fraud analysis and fraud detection.
Speaker
Mr. Waheed Rathore
Group Chief Compliance Officer
Dubai Islamic Bank
Bio:
Abdul Waheed Rathore is the Group Chief Compliance Officer at Dubai Islamic Bank, with over 28
years of experience in Banking. In the last 22 years, Waheed has established himself as a
thought leading Compliance practitioner combined with valuable experience as banking
regulator.
Waheed has built regulatory and financial crime compliance functions in multinational banks as
well as local DSIB’s in multiple geographies, positioning Compliance as a strategic business
enabler.
He has proven himself to turn around ailing Compliance functions by leading the board of
director’s strategic Compliance transformation agenda at different Banks.
Prior to joining DIB, Waheed was the Global Chief Compliance Officer at HBL – Habib Bank Ltd,
Pakistan. He has also held the position of the Executive Director Supervision - Banking and
Insurance, Abu Dhabi Global Markets, UAE and previously worked with ADCB, UAE as Executive
Vice
President – Group Chief Compliance and Anti Money laundering officer.
Waheed was elected two times as Chairman of UAE Bank Federation – Compliance Committee. He has
a
Global Executive MBA from INSEAD and a MSc in Finance and Financial law from University of
London (SOAS).
Speaker
Dr. Ayesha BinLootah
AVP, Licensing, Supervision and Assurance
Virtual Assets Regulatory
Authority
Bio:
Dr. Ayesha Binlootah is the Assistant Vice President of Licensing, Supervision and Assurance
at
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Dr. Binlootah is a highly accomplished and
self-driven leader with over 14 years of diverse experience in Licensing, Supervision,
Assurance, Inspection, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Information Security, Internal
Control,
Excellence, Service Improvement, Governance, Business Continuity Management, Crisis
Management,
and Global & City Crisis Communication. Dr. Binlootah has consistently excelled in steering
organisations towards success with a proven track record in various industries, including
Financial Institutions, Virtual Assets, Tourism, Hospitality, Economic Development, and the
Public Sector.
As an experienced board member, Dr. Binlootah has played a pivotal role at the Institute of
Internal Auditors (IIA) – UAE Chapter, chairing several committees and contributing to the
record-breaking International Audit Conference. Additionally, Dr. Binlootah has held committee
positions as an independent director in publicly listed companies at the Dubai Financial
Market
(DFM).
In addition to her role at VARA, Dr. Binlootah holds other positions namely Vice Chairperson
of
Emaar Development, Independent Director of the Risk and Audit Committee at Salik PJSC,
Chairperson of the Remuneration Committee, and the Insider Trading Committee of Emaar
Development PJSC, and Advisor to the Dubai Economy and Tourism.
Dr. Binlootah holds a Doctorate in Business Administration in Tourism Investments and is a
Certified Corporate Governance Practitioner from the UK Affiliation of Corporate Governance
Practitioner & COSO Certified. Her academic achievements include executive education from
prestigious institutions such as Oxford Said School of Business, London Business School, Jack
Welsh Management Institute, and Ashridge School of Business.
Before joining the government sector, Dr. Binlootah gained valuable experience at Dubai
Islamic
Bank as the Finance & Operations Audit manager, overseeing critical audits and risk
assessments,
resulting in significant cost savings and operational improvements.
Throughout her career, Dr. Binlootah has been actively engaged in various national federal and
international committees, contributing to essential initiatives and government agenda related
to
anti-money laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and more.
With her vast knowledge, expertise, and leadership skills, Dr. Binlootah has consistently
driven
organisations and government entities towards excellence while making valuable contributions
to
the professional community, private sector, and public sector through her involvement with
industry associations and committees.
Dr. Binlootah served as Director of the sector of Internal Audit, Risk, and Information
Security
at Dubai Economy and Tourism where she played an instrumental role in positioning Dubai as a
global and regional hub for Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism. Prior to this, Dr.
Binlootah served as the Portfolio Sponsor for Financial Sector Development at the Economic
Accelerator Unit – Government of Dubai, where she contributed to elevating Dubai’s financial
ecosystem as a global hub for business, in addition to her multiple roles at Dubai
government
Speaker
Mr. Brian Byagaba
Head of Tech & Data Governance, Fintech Department
Abu Dhabi Global
Market
Bio:
Brian heads up tech and data governance at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)
of
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Brian is captivated by the nexus of finance, tech, risk
management and human reasoning. This has spurred interests in exploring how people behave in
response to finance and technology choices. And how they reason risk and business decisions.
Brian uses these insights in the design and development of new regulatory initiatives and key
technology infrastructure projects that improve the fintech ecosystem in the UAE.
Prior to joining ADGM, Brian led a payments fintech startup, held various risk management
roles
in commercial banks and a Big4 firm. In other capacities Brian is a mentor and advisor to Web3
startups, and an independent non-executive director of a Saudi Bank
Speaker
Mr. Mohamed Alkatheeri
Head of the National Coordination and Follow Up
Executive Office of
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing
Bio:
Mohamed Alkatheeri is Head of the National Coordination and Follow Up at the Executive Office
of
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing of the UAE.
The Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing is the primary
national coordinating body on AML/CFT efforts within the UAE and aims to enable and better
equip
the UAE in building a strong and sustainable AML/CFT framework. It is responsible for
overseeing
the implementation of the UAE’s National AML/CFT Strategy and Action Plan and has a
wide-ranging
mandate.
As Department Head, Mohamed plays a leading role ensuring that all entities in the UAE working
to combat financial crimes are aligned with the National AML/CFT Strategy and Plan and are
compliant with all AML/CTF/CPF international requirements and standards.
Mohamed has introduced mechanisms to facilitate national coordination and increase
effectiveness, involving close to 150 projects managed between more than 80 governmental
entities using dedicated project management tools to accelerate progress within the
country.
As a globally certified FATF Assessor, he is the technical expert responsible for submitting
the
UAE progress reports to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Mohamed also coordinates
closely
with members of the UAE National Team – consisting of 35 technical experts in the AML/CFT/CPF
regime - to produce the UAE National Progress Report.
Mohamed is a co-creator of the FAWRI TICK System, the UAE’s national system for the management
of proliferation financing cases and targeted financial sanctions implementation and currently
used by more than 80 governmental entities. The FAWRI TICK has many future plans as well to
involve multiple different case types due to its initial huge success.
Outside of his role at the Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism
Financing, Mohamed is a globally certified FATF assessor, certified Anti-Money Laundering
Specialist, certified Innovation specialist, certified trainer, and sanction implementation
expert.
Speaker
Mr. Collin Lobo
Regional Head of Financial Crime, MENAT
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Bio: Collin joined HSBC Middle East in August 2014 as the Regional Head of Financial Crime Compliance MENAT. Collin has been a practioner and an SME in the field of financial crime risk management for over 25 years having trained and practiced with a Big Four accounting firm where he specialized in forensic accounting and regulatory advisory services. Collin is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Speaker
Mr. Tarek Howayek
Regional Head of AML & Compliance Policies
HSBC, MENAT
Bio:
Tarek has more than 16 years of experience in banking, his mixed background and experience in
core banking business and compliance keeps him eager to achieve effective risk management and
improve customer experience. Tarek has extensive experience in analyzing regulations, policy
writing and overseeing the effectiveness of the compliance framework.
He is passionate about continuous learning and technology to improve the capabilities of the
compliance professionals to achieve effective and efficient risk management.
Tarek holds a Master of Science in Management from the University of Liverpool – UK, in
addition
to a number of professional certificates in compliance and other areas. He is married with one
daughter and enjoys reading, running and scuba-diving.
Speaker
Mr Muhammad Shahid Farid
Head of AML/CFT & Sanctions
The Commercial Bank of Qatar
Bio:
TAML/CFT Auditor & Risk Professional with 13 years hands on experience and key competencies in
designing,
implementing, monitoring and testing AML/CFT/CPF, Sanctions & Regulatory Compliance Programme
for Financial Institutions, FinTechs and DNFBPs.
Speaker
Mr. Christos Christou
Chief Compliance Officer
Lulu Financial Holding
Bio:
Christos Christou, ACIB, CAMS, CGSS, MBA
A professional Compliance Officer with 30+ years in banking and other financial services. A
banking degree holder with an MBA from the University of Liverpool; he is a CAMS, CGSS ,and
Certified Blockchain & KYC Professional. He practices Regulatory Compliance, AML/CFT,
Sanctions,
Advanced Analytics and Forensics, and RegTech/FinTech. A great career in Banking Operations,
Training and Compliance, and an adjunct lecturer for the Chartered Bankers Institute,
Professional Training Academies, and Universities/Colleges in Europe. Since 2013 he is the
Chief
Compliance Officer for Lulu Financial Group involved money remittance and currency exchange in
GCC and APAC regions. An active member of ACAMS Task Force for exam writing, conferences, and
SME panels; he speaks in conferences organized worldwide. An active member of the PPPC under
the
UAE AML Executive Office.
Speaker
Ms. Safeya Alsafi
Director of AML Department
Ministry of Economy (MOE)
Bio: Safeya AlSafi is the Director of Anti Money Laundry Department at Ministry of Economy (MOE) since 2020. . Safeya is also UAE’s FATF Expert member on supervision and preventive measures, presenting UAE in FATF plenary sessions and other international AML/CFT engagement activities. She has more than 10 years of experience in banking sector, and she handled several managerial positions in banking industry. During her professional career, she established many departments such as the AML department in Ministry of Economy and Private Banking Division in Emirates Islamic Bank. During her career she was a member of The National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee and some of its sub[1]committees; such as Sub-Committee of Supervisory Authorities in UAE, Sub-Committee for Money Laundering Crimes Investigative Authorities in UAE, Sub-Committee for National Risk Assessment of Money-Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Illegal Organizations Financing Risks in UAE, and The Sub-Committee for Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and the Financing of Illegal Organizations and the Financing of Proliferation in UAE. She is also an Assistant Chairman of the Sub-Committee of Companies Registrars in UAE. Safeya is a Master degree holder in Islamic Economics and Wealth Management from Zayed University and she have a professional diploma in innovation & Government accelerators in future design industry from Hamdan bin Mohamed Smart University. She has two professional certificates from Chartered Institute For Securities & Investment which are certified in international certificate in wealth & investment and the other one is certified in international intro. to securities &investment Safeya has an active voluntary life since 2006. She is a board member of Emirates Down Syndrome Associate since 2018 and selected as a Treasure
Speaker
Ms. Fawzia Mohamed Al Ali
National Risk Assessment Department Head, UAE NRA Project Manager
Executive Office of Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing
Bio:
Ms. Fawzia Mohamed is highly skilled and experienced professional, the Head of National Risk
in
EO of AML CTF has a longstanding experience in assessing risk indicators at the federal level,
analyzing seizure statistics, developing security-related strategic plans at the federal
level,
implementing novel projects to develop automated information systems for AML CTF analysis at
the
federal level, and preserve a high level of performance and work ethics.
Ms. Fawzia Has shown remarkable analytical abilities to understand complicated aspects of risk
management, technical cases, resolving unclarities and striking a balance between the
strategic
goals of risk management and tactical facts, and developing summarized plans that can be
executed in the field of risk management.
Ms. Fawzia, has experience in Meeting with FATF Assessors in UAE MER 2019/2020, assist the
Authorities such as 42 Registrars and ministry of Economy to implementing the Action Plan that
have been issued by FATF in 2020, meeting with FATF JG in 2022 representing IO.1 - IO.5, in
Sep2022 meeting with FATF JG representing IO.5, and IO.5, and in Jan2023 meeting with FATF JG
representing IO.5 , Experience in undertaking Sectorial Risk Assessment, conducted VA/VASP RA
in
2021, and conducted Legal Person and Legal Arrangement RA in 2022 , Experience in National
Risk
Assessment of the UAE in 2018/2019 , Experience in analyzing statistics related to ML cases,
TF
cases, identifying risk indicators and patterns, and developing risk mitigation plans.
Speaker
Mr. Iain Kennedy
Global Head Of Sales
StarCompliance
Bio: Iain is currently Global Head of Sales at StarCompliance. He brings together a broad range of experiences from capital markets and FinTech across North America, Europe and Asia. He has enjoyed roles at several of the world’s premier institutions including Barclays, IHS Markit and Nomura. Over the last decade he has helped deliver cutting-edge solutions enhancing financial services firms’ ability to thrive in an ever-evolving sector. With a customer-centric approach he is proud to lead a team of reputation guardians, making compliance simple and easy.
Speaker
Vijayalakshmi Seshadri
Head of Implementations and MEAA
norbloc
Bio:
Vijayalakshmi Seshadri (Viji) is an accomplished professional with a diverse and
impressive background in the world of technology and finance. Holding an MBA from
BITS Pilani and a B.E. in Computer Science from Anna University, she has established
herself as a leading force in the field.
In her current role as the Head of Implementations and MEAA at norbloc, Viji
oversees the global implementations of the company's cutting-edge products. Her
responsibilities extend to the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia region, where she
takes the helm in business development.
Viji s professional journey began in 2010, and she has worn various hats, each
contributing to her versatile skill set. Her past roles included positions such as AVP of
Enterprise Digital Solutions, Product Owner, Digital Consultant - Solution Architect,
Software Quality Auditor, PMO Analyst, and Software Developer. These roles
provided her with invaluable experience and insights into the nuances of the evolving
tech space and financial sectors.
Notably, Viji has been instrumental in designing digital platforms for global banks and
leading BFSI enterprises. Her commitment to excellence in software quality led her to
publish a white paper aimed at improving software quality and delivery. She has also
earned the prestigious Six Sigma Green Belt certification, reflecting her dedication to
process improvement and efficiency. With her technical expertise, Viji aspires to
drive the next wave of transformation in the regulatory and compliance landscape.
Speaker
Ms.Meera Judge
Regional Head of Compliance, Binance
Bio:
Meera joined Binance in May 2022 where she leads Compliance (and Risk) for the Middle East,
Africa and South Asia, focusing on Virtual Asset regulation under VARA, FSRA and the CBB.
Meera
holds over 14 years’ experience in the international financial services markets, with an
extensive understanding of compliance, risk, governance and regulation. She has held senior
roles at interdealer brokers, including ICAP and ED&F Man Capital Markets in the UAE,
supporting
the establishment of robust risk management, operational and compliance frameworks.
Meera spent the first 10 years of her career in London, where she gained a foundation in
systemically important financial market infrastructures, including exchanges and central
clearing counterparties, having worked at both ICE and CME Group.
Meera holds a First Class BSc (Hons) in Investment and Financial Risk Management from Cass
Business School, London and has also completed a Diploma in Compliance, AML and Financial
Crime
in association with ICMA Centre, Henley Business School
Past Speakers
Mr Muhammad Shahid Farid
Head of AML/CFT &
Sanctions
The Commercial Bank of Qatar
Vijayalakshmi Seshadri
Head of Implementations
and
MEAA
norbloc
Ms Kaoutar Abdallah
Director of Legal, Risk &
Compliance
Telr
Mr. Amaresh Yardoni
Senior Manager Fraud
Operations
Tamara
Mr. Waheed Rathore
Group Chief Compliance
Officer
Dubai Islamic Bank
The conference will feature keynote speeches from top-tier industry experts sharing their
experiences and showcasing the potential of regulatory technology in detecting, preventing,
and
mitigating money laundering risks.
10th MENA Regtech Conference will provide a platform for industry peers to connect and network during the breakout sessions of the event.
An integral part of 10th MENA Regtech Conference is the exhibition showcase, where leading companies will display their cutting-edge products, services, and technologies aimed at reducing AML risks.
The event also offers a wealth of networking opportunities, enabling attendees to connect with industry leaders, like-minded professionals, and potential partners. 10th MENA Regtech Conference 2024 is the ideal Conference to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones.
Who Should Attend
Chief Compliance Officer
Chief Data Officer
Chief Digital Officer
Chief Legal Compliance Officer
Chief Information Officer
Head of Compliance
Chief Innovation Officer
Head of AML & Fraud
Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Compliance and Financial Crime Director
Conduct Risk Monitoring Senior Manager
Group Data Protection Officer
Sponsors & Partners
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
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Silver Sponsor
Strategic Sponsors
Exhibitors
Media Partners
Past Sponsors & Partners
