Agenda
08.30 - 09.05: Registration & Refreshments
09:05 - 09.10: Chairman's Welcome
Jonathan Easton, Editor, FStech
09.10 - 09.40: Keynote speaker - Innovation within Regulation
Arunita Roy, Technical Lead in Transforming Regulatory Data Collection Programme, The Financial Conduct Authority
The keynote session, presented by Arunita Roy, will highlight the FCA's role as a data-led regulator, emphasising the FCA's innovative approach to data and safe data management. Arunita will discuss advancements in regulatory technology, key trends, and emerging technologies, new capability tools for the Financial Services industry all through the lens of the Transforming Data Collection Programme.
09.40 - 10.10: Speaker Session
10:10 - 10:40: Panel: One month in: Realising the impact of DORA on operational resilience in financial services (sponsored by Riskonnect)
With the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) having come into effect at the start of 2025, financial services firms across Europe are now grappling with its practical implications. As organisations enter the initial stages of compliance, questions remain about the act's long-term impact on digital resilience strategies. This panel will examine the challenges and insights firms have faced in the first month of DORA compliance, exploring real-world responses, early lessons learned, and how organisations are adapting their risk and operational resilience frameworks to align with regulatory demands. Bringing together experts across financial services, this discussion will provide timely guidance on translating DORA requirements into sustainable resilience practices.
Panellists:
Paul Cutler, EMEA Delivery Manager, Riskonnect
Sam Reason, Head of Operational Resilience and Continuity (inc Third Party Assurance/Governance), Zurich Insurance
Zahra Zohoor, Business Security & Resilience Officer, Nationwide Building Society
10.40 - 11.10: Coffee Break
11.10 - 11.40: Speaker Session
11.40 - 12.10: How to leverage Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) for regulatory compliance
Marina Antoniou, ICAEW Financial Services Board Member
Join Marina Antoniou, a distinguished expert in risk management and innovation, as she explores the transformative potential of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) in regulatory compliance. This presentation delves into practical use cases, with a focus on Financial Crime compliance, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML). Gain an understanding of how LLMs are constructed, their operational mechanics, and the type of outputs they can generate, such as scenario simulations and AML alert enhancements. Marina will contrast Machine Learning with Generative AI, emphasising the crucial role of human oversight throughout the AI lifecycle. Discover both the limitations of LLMs and practical strategies for overcoming them, including addressing evolving regulations. With real-world examples and a focus on implementation, Marina will leave you equipped to harness the power of LLMs while anticipating future developments in the regulatory landscape.
12.10 - 12.40: Panel – AI under control: Navigating the new age of regulation and data governance (sponsored by Pure Storage)
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising financial services, driving innovation in compliance, fraud detection, and operational efficiency. However, as AI systems become more pervasive, regulators are introducing stringent frameworks to ensure accountability, transparency, and fairness. With the EU AI Act, GDPR, and UK FCA guidelines leading the charge, organisations must navigate a complex regulatory landscape while maximising the potential of AI. This session explores the key challenges of AI regulation, from ensuring explainability and maintaining data integrity to building auditable workflows that meet evolving compliance standards. Our expert panellists will discuss strategies for balancing innovation with regulatory requirements, designing systems that are transparent, resilient, and adaptable to a multi-cloud world. Attendees will discover practical approaches to embedding ethical AI practices, addressing risks like bias and model drift, and fostering trust among stakeholders. Whether preparing for future global AI regulations or strengthening current compliance efforts, this session provides the insights needed to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving environment.
Panellist:
Alexey Gabsatarov, CTO, Kroo Bank
Zahra Gill, Financial Crime Advisory, Strategy & Framework
Patrick Smith, EMEA Field CTO, Pure Storage
Dane Whittleston, Head of Division for Regulatory Data Innovation, Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)
More panellists to be announced...
12.40 - 13.10: Local to Global: Enhancing Information Sharing and Collaboration in the Face of Regulation
Teresa Walsh, Chief Intelligence Officer and Managing Director, EMEA, FS-ISAC
In today's interconnected world, addressing systemic threats requires robust information sharing and collaboration across borders. Access controls, the growing rise of sovereignty issues in regulation, and regulatory frameworks like the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) are creating new complexities that can impede collaboration between jurisdictions. Technology is enabling us to navigate these challenges, empowering local actions that support broader global security initiatives that more effectively enable regulatory compliance and threat mitigation across borders.
13.10 - 14.10: Lunch Break
14.10 - 14.40: Panel: Empowering the compliance workforce: Upskilling for an AI-Driven future (sponsored by Smarsh)
As financial institutions navigate a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, the role of compliance professionals is transforming. With the rise of AI, machine learning, and advanced communications technologies, compliance teams must adapt to new tools that enhance risk detection, streamline workflows, and improve operational efficiency. The integration of digital communication platforms further complicates compliance, requiring professionals to develop a deeper understanding of both the technology and its regulatory implications. This session will focus on the importance of upskilling compliance professionals to leverage AI-driven tools, programming skills (e.g., Python), and data analysis in managing compliance across increasingly complex digital communication channels. Expert panellists will discuss how institutions can empower their teams to use these technologies effectively, ensuring real-time insights and seamless compliance processes across all communication platforms.
Panellist:
Imran Akhtar, RegTech Consultant
Shaun Hurst, Principal Regulatory Advisor, Smarsh
Andy Thornley, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Innovate Finance
Mukund Umalkar, FinTech Lead, ING
More panellists to be announced...
14.40 - 15.10: Keynote speaker - Driving the evolution of Open Banking in the UK
Henk Van Hulle, Chief Executive, Open Banking Limited (OBL)
In this keynote, Henk Van Hulle will outline the critical developments shaping open banking in 2025. He will delve into the impact of the Data (Use and Access) Bill as it progresses through Parliament, setting the stage for a robust regulatory framework and ensuring a commercially sustainable future for open banking. Henk will also discuss the transition towards open finance and smart data schemes, as well as open banking's pivotal role in advancing the Government’s National Payments Vision—highlighting how it fosters innovation, competition, and consumer choice in the UK’s payments landscape.
15.10 - 15.15: Chairman's closing remarks and end of conference
15.15 - 16.15: Networking drinks reception
Full agenda to be announced shortly and is subject to change.
