Event Speakers
Neil Makwana
Session 2 & 4 Speaker
Neil Makwana has held key roles at the UK FSA/PRA as a banking supervisor and at Barclays, in Regulatory functions across the bank. More recently, he worked in digital assets at OKX and Copper Technologies, where he led global licensing and authorisation initiatives. He brings deep regulatory knowledge to his work. He has hands-on insight into digital asset licensing, Third-Party Risk Management, compliance frameworks, regulatory change, risk assessments, corporate banking, and regulatory advocacy.
Neil’s foundation is in Accounting and Finance. Additionally, he holds an MBA from CASS Business School.
Philip Chapman
Session 3 Speaker
Philip Chapman is Head of Compliance at Hannover Re UK Life Branch, bringing over two decades of experience in financial services. He specialises in compliance management, conduct risk, and delivering major regulatory change programmes aligned with PRA and FCA requirements. Known for his technical expertise and ability to influence senior stakeholders, Philip has held senior roles at Aetna, Lloyds Banking Group, and the Financial Services Authority.
Katharine Leaman
Session 2 & 4 Speaker
Katharine (Skillcast Advisory Board Member) has worked in financial services for over thirty years in insurance claims, giving investment advice, regulation, and banking compliance. Katharine has been European Head of Regulatory Compliance at Standard Chartered Bank and spent over a decade at the UK's regulator, the FSA (now FCA in senior policy and supervision roles.
John Kingston
Session 5 Speaker
John Kingston is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security in the School of Science & Technology. John has an extensive background in artificial intelligence and qualifications in law. He spent twenty years at the University of Edinburgh. With seven years in a range of roles in government and industry, before returning to academia in 2015. Current interests include: Using knowledge management techniques to address the problem of human deception in cybersecurity, as well as standardisation of descriptions of cyber attacks for knowledge sharing and reasoning.
Nickie Elenor
Session 6 Speaker
Nickie Elenor has over 30 years’ experience advising employers across the UK. She is currently working closely with employer clients to prepare for the upcoming Employment Rights Act changes, including significant reforms to sexual harassment law. Nickie is also the instructing solicitor on a landmark whistleblowing case, Barton Turns Development v Treadwell, due to be heard in the Supreme Court in May, and brings valuable insight into the practical implications of this case for employers. Her work combines legally robust advice with a strong commercial and people‑focused perspective.