Archives: Speakers

Steve Brandao has spent more than 30 years in research and development.  His experience includes time with a major pharmaceutical company, work with two leading SMO’s, and business development positions with large global CRO’s, a medical device CRO, and an EDC technology company.  He is currently the US Regional Director of Business Development for Novotech, an Asia-Pacific centered CRO with global capabilities.  Steve has a graduate degree in psychology and worked as a psychotherapist before starting his career in biopharma research and development.

15+ years’ international experience managing transactions and assessing investment opportunities, helping clients, entrepreneurs and organizations achieve strategic business objectives. Goal-oriented professional skilled to handle multiple tasks, manage stakeholders’ needs and lead projects and cross-functional teams towards success

Based in Geneva and currently Managing Director at the Mirabaud group providing and structuring a wide spectrum of services to private and institutional clients. Built up relationships and developed a strong network of clients (i.e. UHNWIs, family offices, wealth managers, fund managers, CEOs, CFOs).

Managed private clients’ wealth and structured their assets allocation matching their financial needs and target objectives. Led investments process conducting c transactions for clients. Structured deals and financial terms leading negotiations of term sheets, legal contracts and SPAs for clients

Gene Filipp currently leads the ArisGlobal Clinical and Regulatory Solutions Consulting team.  Gene brings over two decades of experience that begin in the classroom teaching 7^th grade science in Texas. Very quickly he completed his masters focusing on instructional technology and transitioned into a technology administrator role. After 10 years working in the Texas education system, Gene left education for clinical research by joining the CRO Chiltern International. Starting as a Trainer in the eClinical Solutions team, Gene ended his time managing the Americas for the team. Gene often speaks of his time at Chiltern as basis of his deep knowledge and understanding of the clinical research process. With his education and experience, Gene has been a solutions consultant for 11+years with several life science technology companies which include Medidata, ERT and presently ArisGlobal.

Niels Thone is the co-founder and CEO of Sprout.ai, an insurtech startup that uses AI to reduce the number of fraudulent claims, improve efficiency and reduce costs for insurers, while aiming to improve customers’ “claim experience”. Sprout’s clients include some of the largest insurance companies worldwide, such as Zurich International.

Prior to founding Sprout, Niels gained experience in tech and insurance focused around strategy, fundraising, customer success and the use of deep learning in claims processing. Niels is a serial entrepreneur: in 2014 he established fashion tech startup Morph Clothes, which he sold in 2016. He was part of startup accelerator Techstars’ 2019 cohort and has been a Business Mentor at Imperial College London’s startup incubator since 2016.

Dr Artur Niemczewski is an experienced executive and non-executive in the London Market and Global Specialty Insurance. He was CEO of Pro Global Insurance Solutions Plc until stepping down in late 2019. Prior to joining Pro Global in February 2014, Artur led Garwyn Group Ltd, the UK’s leading specialist liability loss adjuster. Previously, Artur was Managing Director of Xchanging Broking Services Ltd, served as Chief Executive of the Specialty Division for Marsh UK Ltd and Chief Operating Officer of Willis International Holdings.  While at Willis, Artur gained extensive international experience, covering most commercial and specialty insurance markets across North and South America, Asia and Continental Europe, including a secondment with Willis Germany. Artur started his insurance career as Director of Strategy at AXA Insurance and as a Strategy Consultant with McKinsey & Company.

Artur has also advised the Board of Co-op Insurance and served as a Non-Executive Director of Asta, the Lloyd’s turnkey managing agency.

Artur is a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Insurers.

Artur holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and an MSc in Public Policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Warsaw University of Technology, and a Certificate from the Chartered Insurance Institute

Jon Duncan began his career in 1996 in South Africa, where he held roles in environmental research, consulting, and engineering. As a senior sustainability researcher and consultant at Trialogue between 2004 and 2006, Jon designed and implemented corporate sustainability and social investment strategies. In 2006, he became a partner at Environmental Resource Management, focused on climate and sustainability for Southern Africa. There, his work focused on enhancing businesses’ understanding and ability to manage the key risks and opportunities presented by sustainability and climate change. In 2011, Jon became Head of the Group Responsible Investment Program for Old Mutual, where he led the development and implementation of the Responsible Investment Program across the business’ global operations. He developed Old Mutual’s ESG research and analysis capabilities, developed ESG integration and sustainability focused product propositions across the various investment capabilities and asset classes, and led the business’ engagement with key stakeholders including regulators, academia, clients and the media, as well as industry associations. Jon joined REYL in 2022 as Chief Impact Officer where he is tasked with developing, implementing and leading REYL’s impact strategy to maximise the value-add opportunities that arise from the global economic transition to a low carbon footprint.