Gregory Dellas is the Group Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at ECOMMBX. Previously, at the Bank of Cyprus, Gregory served as Director Wealth & Markets and spearheaded the AML Risk Management team within International Banking Services. He was responsible for high-risk clients and transaction, and for providing guidance and specialised training to management and staff. Before that, he was Group MLRO for a large Cyprus Bank and held a number of other senior management positions. Gregory is the founder and Chair of the ACAMS Cyprus Chapter, since 2015. He holds several international professional certifications including CGSS, CAMS (Advanced) – Risk and CAMS (Advanced) – Audit. He is a certified CAMS instructor and GCI accredited trainer, a Fellow of ICA (FICA) and a long-standing member of the AMLP Forum and IGCA. He also currently serves as Vice-President for the Association of Cyprus Electronic Money Institutions and Payment Institutions (ACEMPI). He holds an MBA from Lancaster University in the UK and a BSc (Hons) in industrial economics from the University of Warwick.

Michael Tatham is the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus since November 2024. Previously, Michael served as Chief Executive Officer for the UK-African Investment Summit 2024. Before that, Michael was the UK’s Deputy Ambassador to the USA, from January 2018 to July 2022. He has completed a number of diplomatic postings and has specialised in supporting post-communist transition processes and conflict resolution in Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. He has previously served as Director Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Political Coordinator and Head of Political Section at the UK Mission to the United Nations, British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Head of Western Balkans Group and Balkans Coordinator, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Prague, and Private Secretary (Foreign Affairs) to the Prime Minister. In his spare time, Michael enjoys travel, skiing, theatre and cooking. From his time living in New York, he is a keen fan of the New York Mets. He is passionate about craft beer and the music of Bob Dylan.

Chris Highsmith is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice.  He currently serves in the office’s Corporate and Securities Fraud Section.  Mr. Highsmith has more than 10 years of experience investigating and prosecuting a broad range of criminal cases, including cases involving cryptocurrency fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, corporate and investment fraud, intellectual property crime, counterfeit goods trafficking, money laundering, bribery, violent national gangs and transnational criminal organizations, racketeering, and firearms offenses.  In addition to prosecuting criminal cases, from 2021 to 2022, Mr. Highsmith served at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo as the Intermittent Legal Advisor to Egypt, where he advised the Egyptian justice sector on combatting money laundering, cybercrime, intellectual property crime, and antiquities trafficking.  Mr. Highsmith has served as an expert presenter on criminal justice issues at conferences in Egypt, Turkey, Bahrain, Taiwan, and Uzbekistan.  Prior to his current role, Mr. Highsmith trained and supervised newly hired criminal prosecutors, coordinated the Northern District of California’s response to investigating and prosecuting COVID-related crime, and served on the office’s hiring committee.  Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Highsmith served as a law clerk for a federal district court judge and worked at an international law firm.

Carter Wilbur is a senior leader with over 20 years of experience in managing diverse teams across various cultures and languages in both government and the private sector.  He combines policy expertise with public outreach to advance U.S. policy goals and achieve results.  Currently serving as the Deputy Head of the Political-Economic Team at U.S. Embassy Cyprus, he leads the sanctions compliance and counter illicit finance efforts.  A career U.S. State Department Economic Officer, Carter has held numerous overseas assignments, including in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, and Malawi, as well as domestic assignments focused on investment, trade, and political-military coordination.

George Voloshin is a global expert anti-financial crime at ACAMS and member of ACAMS’ global SMEs team. He previously headed the Paris branch of a leading corporate intelligence consultancy and has strong credentials in corporate investigations and political risk analysis. An ACAMS-certified global sanctions specialist (CGSS) and certified anti-money laundering specialist (CAMS), he has expertise in the geopolitics, security and economics of wider Europe and the former Soviet Union. George has written extensively on international affairs and has published to date two books and hundreds of articles.

Chloe Cina has unrivalled expertise as an international sanctions lawyer. She served as a UK Government legal advisor in both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Treasury Solicitor’s Department, specialising in national security. Between 2014 and 2016, she was the UK lawyer on the Iran nuclear deal team. She later became the Global Head of Sanctions Advisory at Deutsche Bank and the UK Head of Sanctions at HSBC. For almost 20 years, she has advised international organisations, governments, corporates and humanitarian agencies on complex and sensitive security policy matters.

Marie Lundberg has over 30 years of extensive experience, working with various financial institutions in the Nordics, the EU and the UK. She served as a SME to the ECCD with the Council of Europe. Acronym Consulting AB, founded in 2017, is an independent firm specialised within Anti Financial Crime and Internal Auditing. Maria Lundberg is an avid believer of using data analytics to build a successful AFC framework. She is a well-renowned speaker and moderator and is part of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Sweden Advocacy Committee and serves as a chapter advisor to the ACFCS Nordic Chapter.

Andreas Papaetis is a Senior Policy Expert in the Prudential Regulation and Supervisory Policy department of the European Banking Authority, focusing on Operational Resilience related topics. Since joining the EBA in January 2017, he has been working on banking supervisory policy and convergence areas and actively involved in delivering EBA’s work programme on digital finance. Andreas has coordinated the DORA policy development and represents the EBA in related topics at European and international level.  Andreas started his career at PwC in Cyprus and subsequently worked for J.P.Morgan in London. Andreas holds a BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics and MSc in Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, and he is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant (ACA).

Patrick Green is currently the Global Head of AML and UK MLRO at Banking Circle, overseeing the Client Due Diligence, Transaction Monitoring, Intelligence & Investigations and Sanctions teams to ensure effective, client-focused onboarding and monitoring globally. Patrick joined Banking Circle in 2020 and brings more than 15 years’ experience within the FI and NBFI sectors and is leading the initiative to digitize and enhance the onboarding, and ongoing monitoring, approach to Banking Circle’s clients globally through the utilization of AI, Data and public private partnerships across the EU and UK. Banking Circle are a credit institution, regulated by the CSSF, UK FCA and BaFin, focused on enhancing the correspondent banking payment infrastructure both in fiat and, most recently, through the launch of the first European bank-issued MICA regulated Stablecoin (Eurite) in 2024. Prior to joining Banking Circle, Patrick spent 14 years at Barclays in London including roles across the FI, Global Corporate and Non-Bank FI verticals within 1LOD AML, Relationship Management and Cash Management.

Peter Drake is an independent Anti-Financial Crime consultant. He previously led the EMEA AML Compliance Risk Management team, for Citigroup’s Treasury and Trade Solutions and Commercial Bank. This included oversight of wholesale banking for high risk client groups such as Foreign Correspondent Banking and Digital/FinTech/Payment Intermediary relationships.  Peter has advised many internal and external board-level stakeholders at leading financial institutions, had extensive interaction with clients and presented at various forums, developing and leading workshops, training sessions and presentations on a range of financial crime topics. Peter previously worked at Deloitte, joining in 1994, where he completed his ACA training in the Financial Services Assurance and Advisory department where he specialised in investment companies and funds. He joined Deloitte’s Forensic and Dispute Services practice in London in 1999 and was seconded to Prague to lead the Deloitte Forensic service line for Central Europe from January 2006 to August 2007. During this time, as a forensic accountant, Peter specialised in advisory and investigative work related to the prevention and detection of financial crime (fraud, corruption and money laundering), focusing particularly on the financial services sector.  Peter has an MA in Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Kamil Alvi is a Compliance Director and financial crime expert with over two decades of leadership in payments, remittance, and fintech. Currently at Convera in the UK, he leads compliance oversight, financial crime prevention, and regulatory strategy, while managing critical banking partnerships and governance frameworks. A proven MLRO and SMF16/17 holder, Kamil has built robust compliance programs at institutions like Western Union, Paramount Commerce and Euronet (Xe, Ria Financial), specializing in Financial Crime Risk Mitigation (AML/CTF, fraud, sanctions, crypto/iGaming), Banking Relationship Management – securing and maintaining global partnerships amid evolving regulations, End-to-End Compliance Frameworks – designing policies, transaction monitoring systems, and risk assessments for scalable growth and Regulatory Engagement – licensing, audits, and cross-border collaboration with regulators Recognized with the European Compliance Spirit and HEROS Awards, Kamil combines deep technical expertise with practical insights on financial crime trends, compliance innovation, and the future of risk management. His dynamic speaking style bridges boardroom strategy and frontline execution.

Peter van Veen is the Director of Corporate Governance & Stewardship at the ICAEW and sits on the Board of Transparency International.  Prior to joining the ICAEW, Peter was the Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer for several multinational enterprises, including Dentsu International. Peter was a member of the leadership team at Transparency International UK (TI-UK) where set up the Business Integrity Programme.  In this role he also served on the advisory board of AIM Progress the global ethical supply chain initiative.Earlier in his career Peter was a strategy consultant with Andersen Consulting and Stanford Research Institute and an CEO and CXO for a number of businesses in research, retail and tech focussing on restructuring and new market entry. Peter is an expert on good governance, responsible business practices, business ethics, corporate culture, risk & resilience, supply chain due diligence, ESG, stewardship and good board practice.  He is responsible for a thought leadership series called the “New Boardroom Agenda”

Joanna Jenkins is a seasoned compliance leader with extensive experience across crypto, fintech, payments, and regtech. With a strong background in regulatory strategy and global compliance frameworks, she has led high-impact initiatives at leading firms, navigating complex regulatory landscapes across multiple jurisdictions. Joanna has held senior roles where she built and scaled compliance programs, managed licensing efforts, and drove innovation in risk and regulatory technology. Passionate about bridging regulatory integrity with business growth, she brings a pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach to compliance. Joanna is also an advocate for inclusive leadership and operational excellence in fast-paced, evolving financial environments.

Vicky Christophidou is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, member of the ICPAC and CAMS member. She joined ECOMMBX as the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer on April 1^st, 2021 after being with PwC Cyprus for a total of 15 years. During her career, Vicky serviced a wide range of financial services clients including credit institutions, EMIs and investment firms, offering advisory services in the areas of risk management, regulatory compliance, governance and internal controls.

Rocio Suarez Gray is a legal professional and Subject Matter Expert in Financial Crime Compliance at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. She advises on regulatory developments to ensure AML and KYC solutions align with international standards. Rocio has over 8 years of experience helping financial institutions and corporates automate AML screening, customer filtering, third-party due diligence, and trade compliance. She is CAMS and ICA certified. Rocio holds a BA in Law and has been a qualified Spanish lawyer since 2011. She also earned master’s degrees in European Affairs and International Relations from the University of Seville and La Rioja International University, respectively.

Maria Kyrmizi Antoniou is senior Counsel of the Republic of Cyprus and Head of the Cyprus Financial Intelligence Unit (MOKAS). Since 1997 working at the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus, as a Counsel of the Republic, dealing mainly with criminal law and Asset Recovery. Officially seconded by the Attorney General to the Cyprus FIU, which functions under the Law Office of the Republic and in 2022 appointed by the Attorney General as the Head of the FIU (MOKAS).

Dr. Pany Karamanou is the Head of the Directorate General of Financial Stability and Resolution at the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), which coordinates activities in the areas of Anti-Money Laundering, Licensing, Macroprudential Supervision, Resolution, and IT Risk Supervision. With 25 years of experience at the CBC, she has held various roles, including in the Economic Analysis Department, where she actively contributed to projects supporting Cyprus’ accession to the European Union and the adoption of the euro. She has also led the Macroprudential Oversight Department, focusing on the development of tools for risk monitoring and enhancing the resilience of the financial sector. She holds a degree in Finance, a Master’s degree, and a PhD in Economics. She has taught, published articles, and represents the CBC in committees of the EU and the ECB.

Pantelis Christofides is the Chairman of the AML and Sanctions’ Sub-Committee of the CBA, and he represents CBA before Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) on issues pertaining to AML, as within the ambit of the Surveillance Working Group, and the Working Group on the European Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. He is a Director of L. PAPAPHILIPPOU & CO LLC Advocates and Legal Consultants, and a Member of the Nicosia Bar Association. He practices on matters, inter alia, of European Union Trade Law, Protection of Competition Law, Concentration Control Law, Foreign Direct Investment Screening, and Privacy Law.

Haroulla Arkade is the Risk and Compliance Partner of Grant Thornton Cyprus and the Chair of the AML & Compliance Committee of ICPAC. She has worked with the ACCA, for over 11 years, overseeing audit firms and service providers in Cyprus on the quality of their work and compliance with regulations. In her current role, she is responsible for engagements on quality and compliance including internal audit, training and advisory services to financial institutions, other professionals, including auditors, administrative service providers and law firms.  She is the firm’s Compliance officer, acts as the second partner performing quality reviews and is the Ethics leader.

Constantinos Koumides is a distinguished professional in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), with deep expertise in cybersecurity, privacy, and IT assurance. His diverse experience spans Big 4 advisory, security leadership roles in the banking sector, and IT compliance positions within the technology industry. Specialising in cybersecurity regulatory compliance, controls assurance, and risk management, Constantinos has a proven track record in designing and implementing Information Security and Privacy Management Systems. He advises executive leadership teams and Boards of Directors on navigating the complexities of digital risk and strengthening their organisation’s security posture.  He frequently serves as a fractional Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Data Protection Officer (DPO), providing organisations with expert, yet cost-effective leadership. Constantinos is passionate about redefining cybersecurity as a catalyst for innovation and an essential pillar of modern corporate strategy.

Giorgos Konstantinou brings over 17 years of senior management experience in FinTech and Financial Services, specializing in sales & business development, regulatory risk advisory, AML compliance advisory, AML audits, international & corporate banking and more. He is a recognized SME in Regulatory Technology (RegTech), with deep expertise in end-to-end AML solutions for process digitalization and automation. Throughout his career, he has worked with a wide range of regulated financial institutions in various jurisdictions including Europe and the Gulf region and has collaborated with various regulatory authorities. Before his current roles, he held leadership roles at major institutions, including Barclays Bank, PwC and Deloitte. Throughout his roles he advised regulated financial institutions and regulatory authorities across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, driving compliance transformation through innovative RegTech solutions and transforming their compliance and AML practices.

Costas Mavrides is an advisor in AML/CFT compliance matters, as well as financial services regulation more generally. Costas has 15 years’ experience in the field of financial services regulation, covering a wide spectrum of matters and has experience in forensic investigations and regulatory litigation. Prior to moving to Cyprus, he worked for ten years in the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority as an investigator and lawyer, and dealt with a number of high-profile cases, as well as numerous non-contentious matters. Having returned to Cyprus, Costas now advises on regulatory matters in the field of financial services, helps clients in establishing and maintaining effective AML/CTF compliance programmes, and advises on ad-hoc compliance issues. In addition, he assists clients with their approach towards both internal and external investigations. He also advises and represents individuals and businesses before various regulatory authorities. He is a qualified Solicitor of England and Wales, and holds both an LLB and a BSc in Economics.

Marios Lazarou is heading the Function Department of KPMG in Cyprus. He has more than 24 years of advisory experience in the Financial Services sector. He has led multiple advisory engagements in the areas of banking and financial services risk and regulation with emphasis on capital adequacy, internal governance, AML, and conduct risk. He also led the design and development of risk-based supervision frameworks for two financial services supervisory authorities.

Christos Ttiniozou is the CTO and Co-Founder of Complytek.ai, a pioneering RegTech firm advancing AI-driven compliance for financial institutions and regulated entities. With over 15 years of experience in software engineering, financial crime technology, and enterprise solution architecture, Christos has led the development of scalable AML and fraud detection systems adopted across Europe and the Middle East. A thought leader in agentic AI infrastructure and modular compliance platforms, he plays a key role in shaping the future of automation in KYC, transaction monitoring, and onboarding. Christos regularly consults with regulators and industry leaders on next-generation compliance frameworks and the responsible use of AI in financial services.

Nikolas Chatziavraam is the CEO of Zygos. Nikolas holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and obtained his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cyprus (UCy). Through his technical expertise he has been serving as a technology and operations optimization consultant for some of the largest professional service companies around the island such as law firms, accounting firms and fiduciary service providers. Nikolas is a firm believer that technology is the only way forward for the professional services industry, disrupting the current mode of operation and becoming a given asset to the companies that invest in it.

Dorina Mastora is the Deputy Compliance Officer at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC and a member of the AML Committee of CYFA. She brings over 14 years of experience in the banking and financial sector, and over the past three years specializing in AML and compliance. Throughout her career, Dorina has held senior roles in branch management, sales & operations, and regulatory oversight. She combines a strategic mindset with a meticulous approach to compliance, with a particular focus on sanctions, policy development, and risk management. Dorina is passionate about inspiring teams and fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and trust at all levels of the organization.

Melissa van den Broek, Senior Manager at KPMG Forensic in the Netherlands, is a regulatory specialist with over a decade of experience in AML/CTF and Sanctions compliance. Her diverse background includes roles at ING and the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). At KPMG, she helps financial institutions and corporations navigate the complex landscape of AML/CTF and Sanctions compliance and also supports KPMG audit teams on these topics. In addition, she leads KPMG AMLA’s Office Monitoring Unit. Melissa holds a PhD in Law and is a certified anti-money laundering and global sanctions specialist.

Andrea Moundi Savvides is the Global Director of Risk and Compliance. She is a qualified lawyer and has extensive experience in the field of financial services, AML, and sanctions, and regularly works with our Tax and Regulatory team. Andrea also advises on competition law matters, at both local and European level including advising on issues which require notification to the relevant authorities. Prior to joining us in 2018, Andrea was a senior corporate lawyer in the legal and compliance team of an authorised investment firm where she liaised with regulators in multiple jurisdictions. She also gained experience in financial services law and regulation including MiFID II and other regulatory regimes such as the automatic exchange of information. She regularly advises clients on a range of regulatory issues which include white collar crimes, sanctions, and anti-money laundering cases. She also practised as an advocate advising on various contentious and non-contentious matters. Andrea holds several professional certifications, including the CySEC Advanced, the CySEC AML, and the ICA International Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering. She is Chair of the Cyprus Compliance Association, a body dedicated to advancing the professional growth of governance, risk, and compliance professionals in Cyprus. She is also a member of the Cyprus Bar Association’s Anti-Corruption Committee and Committee for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing activities and breaches of sanctions.