Meet our expert speakers.
Ardi Kolah LL.M:
Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Data Protection & Privacy
Programme Co-Director of GDPR Transition Programme at Henley Business School
Recognised by FT Europe as one of the leading data protection practitioners in Europe, Ardi has provided advice to Shadow Minister for Digital Economy and Senior Civil Servants and Special Advisors to Scotland’s First Minister on the impact of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). He’s the founder of GO DPO® and the GDPR Transition Programme at Henley Business School that has attracted international interest and is the only executive education programme for senior managers offered by a leading business school in Europe and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Data Protection and Privacy. He has Cabinet Office and Ministerial-level consultancy experience, formerly a senior manager at Accenture.
Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Data Protection & Privacy
Programme Co-Director of GDPR Transition Programme at Henley Business School
Recognised by FT Europe as one of the leading data protection practitioners in Europe, Ardi has provided advice to Shadow Minister for Digital Economy and Senior Civil Servants and Special Advisors to Scotland’s First Minister on the impact of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). He’s the founder of GO DPO® and the GDPR Transition Programme at Henley Business School that has attracted international interest and is the only executive education programme for senior managers offered by a leading business school in Europe and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Data Protection and Privacy. He has Cabinet Office and Ministerial-level consultancy experience, formerly a senior manager at Accenture.
Dr Dominic Micallef:
Chief Officer - Enforcement
Dr Dominic Micallef is the Chief Officer – Enforcement at the MGA, responsible for both remote and land-based gaming operations.
Prior to joining the MGA, Dr Micallef served in the Malta Police Force for 25 years where he worked in several areas such as the anti-riot squad, as a Police Inspector in the Criminal Investigation Department and finally as a Superintendent and head of the police force’s legal department.
Dr Micallef holds a BA in Criminology, Doctor of Laws and a Magister Juris in EU and Comparative Law from the University of Malta. At the MGA his main responsibilities include field operations, the overseeing of the due diligence process and Anti-Money Laundering policies and procedures.
Chief Officer - Enforcement
Dr Dominic Micallef is the Chief Officer – Enforcement at the MGA, responsible for both remote and land-based gaming operations.
Prior to joining the MGA, Dr Micallef served in the Malta Police Force for 25 years where he worked in several areas such as the anti-riot squad, as a Police Inspector in the Criminal Investigation Department and finally as a Superintendent and head of the police force’s legal department.
Dr Micallef holds a BA in Criminology, Doctor of Laws and a Magister Juris in EU and Comparative Law from the University of Malta. At the MGA his main responsibilities include field operations, the overseeing of the due diligence process and Anti-Money Laundering policies and procedures.
Mohamed Daoud:
Head of Risk Solutions at Thomson Reuters
Mohamed brings a wide experience in the various domains of Governance, Risk and Compliance strategy, effective corporate governance and reputation risk including AntiCorruption and Bribery (ACB) Compliance Program.
Mohamed is a specialist in Risk Base Approach (RBA) and risk scoring in Due Diligence and dynamic KYC, Know your Third Party and Supply Chain Risk, sanctions screening including cross border remittances as well as in Financial Crime risk and mitigation (Profiling, AML transactions monitoring for retail banking, capital markets - trades surveillance and market abuse).
Thought leadership and expertise in GRC, speaker in different GRC summits and conferences in MENA, Africa and Russia. Led several compliance consulting projects related to Corporate Governance, risk and compliance policy (i.e.: benchmarking customer compliance policy against best practices for KYC, FATF, AML, UKBA, FCPA, etc.). Deep understanding of Governance, Risk and Compliance processes, requirements and solutions.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills problem solving approach, effective communication at all levels of organization including C level. Gear to achieve customer satisfaction and to operations efficiency, managed multi-cultural international teams in different international cultural environments.
Head of Risk Solutions at Thomson Reuters
Mohamed brings a wide experience in the various domains of Governance, Risk and Compliance strategy, effective corporate governance and reputation risk including AntiCorruption and Bribery (ACB) Compliance Program.
Mohamed is a specialist in Risk Base Approach (RBA) and risk scoring in Due Diligence and dynamic KYC, Know your Third Party and Supply Chain Risk, sanctions screening including cross border remittances as well as in Financial Crime risk and mitigation (Profiling, AML transactions monitoring for retail banking, capital markets - trades surveillance and market abuse).
Thought leadership and expertise in GRC, speaker in different GRC summits and conferences in MENA, Africa and Russia. Led several compliance consulting projects related to Corporate Governance, risk and compliance policy (i.e.: benchmarking customer compliance policy against best practices for KYC, FATF, AML, UKBA, FCPA, etc.). Deep understanding of Governance, Risk and Compliance processes, requirements and solutions.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills problem solving approach, effective communication at all levels of organization including C level. Gear to achieve customer satisfaction and to operations efficiency, managed multi-cultural international teams in different international cultural environments.
David Cauchi:
Head Compliance at Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner
David Cauchi has been employed with the Maltese Data Protection Authority since 2003. He currently occupies the position of Head Compliance. With an academic background in management, Mr Cauchi has developed a level of expertise in data protection matters, particularly in handling complaints, carrying out inspections, dealing with cross-border issues, including international data transfers, providing guidance and raising awareness on data protection to the various sectors and the public at large.
Mr Cauchi is actively involved and represents the Maltese Data Protection Authority in various EU Data Protection fora and meetings organised by EU Institutions. He is currently serving his second term as Vice-Chair of the SIS II Supervision Coordination Group, having been appointed in 2013.
Head Compliance at Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner
David Cauchi has been employed with the Maltese Data Protection Authority since 2003. He currently occupies the position of Head Compliance. With an academic background in management, Mr Cauchi has developed a level of expertise in data protection matters, particularly in handling complaints, carrying out inspections, dealing with cross-border issues, including international data transfers, providing guidance and raising awareness on data protection to the various sectors and the public at large.
Mr Cauchi is actively involved and represents the Maltese Data Protection Authority in various EU Data Protection fora and meetings organised by EU Institutions. He is currently serving his second term as Vice-Chair of the SIS II Supervision Coordination Group, having been appointed in 2013.
Robert de Souza:
CEO and Chief Data Protection Officer at The Data Protection Consulting Service
Robert de Souza is an international data protection, (e)privacy and compliance expert who has held several senior posts in this area internationally. Robert’s expertise encompasses all areas of data protection including The Police and Criminal Justice Data Protection Directive and The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Robert is in his final year of reading Law at the Open University. Coupled with Robert’s thirty-year technology background as a CIO, Robert is in a unique position for the future of data protection. Robert can link the worlds of data protection and law to ensure business are not stifled by the introduction of the GDPR and any subsequent legislation relating to data protection in the UK, Europe and the USA. Robert de Souza is an Associate Partner for Chaucer Digital.
CEO and Chief Data Protection Officer at The Data Protection Consulting Service
Robert de Souza is an international data protection, (e)privacy and compliance expert who has held several senior posts in this area internationally. Robert’s expertise encompasses all areas of data protection including The Police and Criminal Justice Data Protection Directive and The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Robert is in his final year of reading Law at the Open University. Coupled with Robert’s thirty-year technology background as a CIO, Robert is in a unique position for the future of data protection. Robert can link the worlds of data protection and law to ensure business are not stifled by the introduction of the GDPR and any subsequent legislation relating to data protection in the UK, Europe and the USA. Robert de Souza is an Associate Partner for Chaucer Digital.
Gilbert Hill:
Privacy Technologist, External Consultant OneTrust
Entrepreneur, Founder and Managing Director of technology and software businesses, with expertise in Data Privacy, Digital Governance and Marketing Best Practice. Gilbert held the role of Managing Director at Governor Technology, a London Digital Agency. From 2010, Gilbert devised and led the pivot from tech consultancy to licensed software, founding Optanon, a leading provider of website auditing and cookie compliance solutions which was acquired by OneTrust in 2016. Gilbert sits on the Responsible Marketing Committee of the DMA, and Chairs its Mobile & Connected Council.
Privacy Technologist, External Consultant OneTrust
Entrepreneur, Founder and Managing Director of technology and software businesses, with expertise in Data Privacy, Digital Governance and Marketing Best Practice. Gilbert held the role of Managing Director at Governor Technology, a London Digital Agency. From 2010, Gilbert devised and led the pivot from tech consultancy to licensed software, founding Optanon, a leading provider of website auditing and cookie compliance solutions which was acquired by OneTrust in 2016. Gilbert sits on the Responsible Marketing Committee of the DMA, and Chairs its Mobile & Connected Council.
William Chambers:
Regulatory Compliance Manager at Betway
William Chambers is responsible for regulatory compliance and data protection at Betway. He has experience implementing compliance programmes at companies ranging from an early stage start-up developing disruptive technology to his current role at Betway, a leading betting and gaming operator with licences across Europe. In addition to managing the regulatory compliance team, William is leading Betway’s preparations for GDPR. He has worked in gambling regulation and compliance in both the US and UK since 2010.
Regulatory Compliance Manager at Betway
William Chambers is responsible for regulatory compliance and data protection at Betway. He has experience implementing compliance programmes at companies ranging from an early stage start-up developing disruptive technology to his current role at Betway, a leading betting and gaming operator with licences across Europe. In addition to managing the regulatory compliance team, William is leading Betway’s preparations for GDPR. He has worked in gambling regulation and compliance in both the US and UK since 2010.
Christina Thakor-Rankin:
Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd
Christina has over 25 years’ experience in the betting, and gambling industry. Starting out in the pre-dotcom era, she has a career spanning land, internet and mobile, covering all aspects of gaming operations, holding senior roles with some of the world’s best known brands (including William Hill and Virgin) responsible for managing multiple business disciplines, functions and teams across a range of channels, products and customers, including regulatory compliance and money laundering.
She is currently Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd working with start-ups, investors, established operators, regulators, law enforcement and industry groups across the world, advising on all aspects of the gaming and gambling cycle – from market research and analysis, to licensing and compliance, products and marketing, project management and business strategy, to full operational set-up and customer engagement.
She remains an active Compliance Officer and MLRO, non-Executive Director and Board member, and regularly contributes to industry publications and events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Politics, and a Master’s degree in Classics.
Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd
Christina has over 25 years’ experience in the betting, and gambling industry. Starting out in the pre-dotcom era, she has a career spanning land, internet and mobile, covering all aspects of gaming operations, holding senior roles with some of the world’s best known brands (including William Hill and Virgin) responsible for managing multiple business disciplines, functions and teams across a range of channels, products and customers, including regulatory compliance and money laundering.
She is currently Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd working with start-ups, investors, established operators, regulators, law enforcement and industry groups across the world, advising on all aspects of the gaming and gambling cycle – from market research and analysis, to licensing and compliance, products and marketing, project management and business strategy, to full operational set-up and customer engagement.
She remains an active Compliance Officer and MLRO, non-Executive Director and Board member, and regularly contributes to industry publications and events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Politics, and a Master’s degree in Classics.
André E. Bywater:
Principal Adviser - European Regulatory at Cordery
André Bywater is a commercial lawyer with a focus on regulatory compliance, processes and investigations. His practice has engaged both the private and public sectors. He was Brussels-based for many years focusing on a multitude of EU issues during which time he worked across Europe and beyond. He has assisted and advised mainly European and US in-house counsel and other company personnel. Further, he has also addressed a variety of legal matters in the context of EU-funded projects building the expertise and capacity of government ministries and agencies in Central and Eastern Europe and further afield. He therefore brings to the practice a wide range of experience and skills.
He qualified as a lawyer in the UK in 1993. He is a Cambridge University graduate and a fluent French speaker with a reasonable command of Russian.
Principal Adviser - European Regulatory at Cordery
André Bywater is a commercial lawyer with a focus on regulatory compliance, processes and investigations. His practice has engaged both the private and public sectors. He was Brussels-based for many years focusing on a multitude of EU issues during which time he worked across Europe and beyond. He has assisted and advised mainly European and US in-house counsel and other company personnel. Further, he has also addressed a variety of legal matters in the context of EU-funded projects building the expertise and capacity of government ministries and agencies in Central and Eastern Europe and further afield. He therefore brings to the practice a wide range of experience and skills.
He qualified as a lawyer in the UK in 1993. He is a Cambridge University graduate and a fluent French speaker with a reasonable command of Russian.
