NYCE TEAM

Executive & Directors

Farzad Peyman

Chief Executive Officer

Farzad is a chartered accountant and senior gaming executive with 19 years experience in online gambling across B2B and B2C. Currently at newly Aquis exchange listed, NYCE International Plc where he drives the leading global gaming advisory and distribution of innovative technologies and services through the ‘NYCE product marketplace’.

 

He is a leader of significant business change including restructuring, governance, regulatory, financial control, M&As and exits. Farzad has led a series of mergers and acquisitions of sports betting, casino operators and sports trading groups and oversaw the embedding of culture and implementation of revenue and cost synergies post transaction. This included Sportingbet Plc’s series of M&As in the noughties, its successful listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in 2010 and subsequent sale to Entain Plc (formerly GVC Holdings Plc).

 

Later as CFO and CEO of Matchbook Betting Exchange, Farzad led the corporate restructuring and future proofing of the Group, optimising prized IPs and trading activities. The result of which led to carve out and creation of valuable and fast-growing businesses in Matchbook, Xanadu Consultancy, 3et.com and Eurasia Sports.

 

Farzad also led the overhaul of the entire legal and compliance operations at Matchbook per UK Gambling Commission (‘UKGC’) directives, establishing a gold standard of compliance, AML and social responsibility policies and procedures.

 

In recent times Farzad held senior advisory positions at leading African operator, Betpawa and as well with UK listed gaming operations, B90 Holdings Plc and Mobile Streams Plc. Farzad is a Personal Management License (PML) holder with the UKGC and has a ‘Key Individual’ status with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC).

Harmen Brenninkmeijer

Executive Chairman

Harmen has been at the forefront of the development of the gaming industry for 35 years being known for his international endeavors in especially emerging markets to establish sound gaming infrastructures. Has consistently been an early adopter of new technologies from internet, to mobile, and now blockchain. He has also been at the forefront of the strategic development of emerging markets.

Stelios Michaelides

Chief Financial Officer

An analytical, influential and internationally-minded Chief Financial Officer with extensive experience in turning around companies through Transformational Business Development Programmes, Change Management and a keen eye for implementing cost effective methods, increasing production, profits and performance.

In a career overseeing Financial operations within multinational companies, Stelios has been able to adapt and successfully Project Manage Mergers, Acquisitions, resulting subsidiaries and new enterprises, creating unified internal systems that can be rolled out company-wide and encourage continued efficiency and financial consistency.

Skills include but are not limited to: Accounting and Finance Management, Financial Forecasting and Modelling, Mergers and Acquisitions, Contract Negotiations, Stakeholder Management and Leadership Skills.

John May

Independent Non-Executive Director

John May has been a practicing Chartered Accountant for over 40 years providing services across a broad range of clients from SMEs to PLCs of international repute. He was a Senior Partner in the leading Chartered Accountancy firm, now Crowe UK, for 17 of those years, including 8 years on the Managing Board, where he was involved with developing marketing strategy in the capacity as National Marketing Partner, and the Chairman of the Thames Valley Offices for 9 years. More recently Mr. May has been in the board of companies which require his experience and corporate governance skills, particularly in relation to Audit Committee and statutory responsibilities. These companies are predominantly in the fintech, clean power, health-tech and ethical mining industries. Past directorships include Tomco Energy Plc, Petrolatina Energy Plc, Hayward Tyler Group Plc and London & Boston Investments. Current directorships include Pires Investments Plc, City & Westminster Corporate Finance LLP and Red Leopard Holdings Plc.

Richard Croft

Company Secretary & Legal Advisor

Richard started his legal career at GEC and went on the become the head of legal and company secretary at Easynet Group Plc. For the past 11 years he has run his own consultancy focussing on business legal advice and company secretarial services. Richard has extensive experience in public, private and private equity markets.

Advisory Team

Richard Clarke

iGaming Product & Casino

Richard is an experienced leader in gaming, renowned for creating iGaming products, studios and B2C operations. His expertise spans game creation, gaming eco-systems, gaming operations, strategic negotiations, project management, team leadership, international corporate establishment and a profound understanding of regulatory frameworks. Richard has worked as an independent consultant with Ladbrokes, Gala Coral and Iforium for over twenty years and prior to that Richard was a board advisor, board member or product owner to companies in Gaming, Green Technology and Telco industries.

Simon French

Investor Relations & M&A Strategy

Simon has 20 years’ experience of the online gambling sector stretching back to the IPOs of 888 Holdings and 32Red in 2005. He was a top rated equity research analyst covering the Leisure & Gaming sector at a number of institutions including Numis, UBS, Panmure Gordon and Cenkos. In recent years he has moved into investment banking and advisory roles and gained additional experience of high growth African and Latin American markets to complement his extensive knowledge of the UK, Europe and the US.

Jorge Morales

Games + LATAM Sales

Experienced Senior Manager Sales Business Development with a demonstrated history of working in the gambling & casinos industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Operations Management, Sales, and Hospitality Industry. Strong sales professional with a Bachelor focused in Science Electronics Engineering Technology from Universidad de Puerto Rico – Bayamon.

Rob McKenzie

Payments

Rob is a Payments and Cards professional with 25 year’s experience in banking and complex payment systems, including 10 years plus in the online gaming space.

 

Rob’s key role in integrating LloydsTSB’s PSP’s and network of e-commerce suppliers provided him with the bed rock skills to manage highly intricate challenges that face the B2C2B payments marketplace, leading him to take on the challenge of I-gaming payments and eventually heading up Sportingbet PLCs (Entain) entire global banking and payment operations.

 

Providing operators with a robust, trusted and simple way to accept cross border payments and to deal with settlements in a timely manner is one of the cornerstone ingredients needed to run a successful gaming operation. Providing fast paybacks is the icing on the cake. Rob pioneered the first auto card payback payment system, tailored for I-gaming in the UK alongside the first fraud prevention AI tool for the sector which was eventually sold to Natwest and Worldpay as a more robust system.

Garron Whitesman

Legal, Compliance, & Regulation

Garron has been an Attorney since 1996 in commercial, financial restructuring and private equity law. Specialised in gambling law since 2003 and is recognised as a leading international gambling and gaming attorney. Key focuses on regulatory, compliance and commercial aspects of the online gambling industry internationally. Experienced Non-Executive Director of many licensed gambling businesses.

 

Garron regularly speaks at conferences internationally and contributes to and/ or is interviewed by leading international gaming and gambling publications.

Sebastian Läger

Venture Tech Partner

Sebastian is a serial entrepreneur and veteran in industries such as esports, gaming, and IT. Known for his notorious honesty and drive for efficiency, Sebastian has a real passion for start-ups and scale-ups. He created TwogNation Holding, which builds multiple companies per year with very flexible and highly-customized business terms. Sebastian has a strategic eye for choosing the right speed at the right time, creating sustainable budgets, and building coherent and efficient teams with high retention. Experienced at taking ideas from a loose drawing on paper all the way through to scaling globally.

James Hursthouse

Crypto/Web3

James has been building businesses at the intersection of games, media, and technology for over 25 years. He co-founded Roadhouse Interactive, a 180-person studio that developed titles for global IPs including Iron Maiden and Family Guy, and later led strategic initiatives at AMPD Ventures and Departure Lounge. Since 2017, James has focused on Web3 and digital infrastructure, advising companies across cloud gaming, tokenized IP, and DePIN. As CEO of Greenstone Initiatives, he supports ventures with capital raising, strategic partnerships, and business development — with clients including WEMADE Entertainment, DePIN Pioneers, Aethir, Well-Link Technologies, and Appreciation Engine. A co-author of the 2007 Metaverse Roadmap, James remains an active connector and speaker in the global Web3 and gaming ecosystem.

Stefan Kovach

Crypto/Web3

Stefan has worked with technology companies since the late 90s, including a 15-year stint working in the iGaming industry for the likes of PokerStars and Bwin.Party (now Entain). He entered the blockchain space in 2017, becoming CEO of FunFair Technologies, a decentralised i-gaming platform built on the Ethereum blockchain. He has subsequently acted as an advisor and consultant across the i-Gaming, gaming, and sports industries, helping traditional businesses, brands, and IPs, as well as start-ups with strategy, marketing, the use of disruptive tech, and the implementation of Web 3 technologies.  He is the co-founder of FanCentric, a sports consultancy focusing on future-proofing fandom.

Meir Shachar

Advisor

Meir is a gaming industry veteran with extensive experience across lotteries, casinos, route operations, iGaming, sports betting, and central technology systems for national and state operators. His expertise spans land-based casino management systems, Electronic Gaming Machines (slots, roulettes, video terminals, and kiosks), as well as esports, social gaming, and casual entertainment.

 

Previously, Meir served as Business Development Director for Win Systems Group, a global provider of lottery and casino central management technologies. He also advises Digicode and Slavna Game Studio as a Senior Gaming Advisor, supporting product innovation, market expansion, and long-term strategy. Digicode has developed content and platforms for industry leaders including 888, IGT, Aristocrat, Novomatic, DraftKings, Evolution, and Light & Wonder, alongside numerous private operators and providers.

 

Meir specializes in capital sourcing, strategic advisory, business development, and opportunity origination. He regularly counsels companies operating in or investing in the gaming sector, connecting founders, executives, and capital providers to accelerate partnerships, secure funding, and drive scalable growth.

Management Team

Alex Crockford

Chief Commercial Officer

Revenue generator with 10+ years experience in the gambling sector with an extensive network throughout the industry working across an array of verticals including data, trading, risk management events, KYC and payments for global suppliers and sports betting operators. Previously managed commercial teams of 10+ with £2m+ annual team target responsibilities.

 

Leading Matchbook Betting Exchange’s B2B division, my focus is on launching innovative solutions such as real-time exchange pricing and corporate hedging services. These initiatives have bolstered relationships with over 20 sportsbooks worldwide, enhancing their pricing, margins, and bet volume capabilities. With a strategic eye and meticulous attention to detail, I excel in identifying and capitalising on market opportunities for sustained growth.

 

Get in touch directly if you’re intersted in consuming the market leading pricing API for major sports in real-time as well as our high stakes brokerage service for any and all bet requests.

Specialties: Gambling Sector – Sports Betting, Exchange Betting, iGaming, B2B Gaming, Business Development, Account Management, Market Research, Enterprise Sales, Advertising Sales, Strategic Communication

Ffinlo Martin

Chief Operating Officer

Experienced in improving operations for innovative companies across iGaming, Blockchain, Sales, and more. Working in-depth with global teams to efficiently generate results, bring new products to market, and grow revenue. Focus on bringing about improvements to processes across operations, product development, game development, marketing, and sales.

Richard Walsh

Strategic Projects & M&A

Richard Walsh is a seasoned leader in the iGaming industry, bringing over 30 years of experience across senior executive roles at William Hill and Coingaming. In 2024, he co-founded KW Capital, a boutique M&A and advisory firm focused on delivering strategic guidance to businesses operating in both fiat and crypto markets. Richard’s expertise spans both B2B and B2C verticals, with a proven track record in driving excellence across People, Product, Operations, and overall Strategy. Richard believes that high-performing teams are built on trust, accountability, and a clear sense of purpose. His leadership approach centers on empowering individuals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and aligning operational execution with long-term strategic vision.

Jeffrey Katz

Payment Specialist

Navigating the intricate world of payments and cross-border transactions is Jeff’s specialty. With a background as Head of Operations in the payments industry, Jeff brings expertise in simplifying these complexities for our clients. As a passionate crypto enthusiast, Jeff hosts local meetups to share the latest trends and insights. Jeff helps clients stay ahead in the ever-evolving payment landscape, ensuring smooth and efficient solutions for their business.

Claudio Faccio

Chief Marketing Officer

Throughout his 25 years of experience, Claudio has co-founded and led successful game, entertainment, and marketing companies, winning almost 100 international awards. He has worked at an executive level, helping companies achieve significant success. Claudio has built a strong market presence in South America, continually seeking growth, providing industry expertise, and providing business development at the highest level.

Karim Abbassi

Affiliate Strategy & Growth

With a background in performance marketing and media strategy, Karim has worked with Tier 1 iGaming operators to scale digital campaigns and lead high-impact projects. He brings a results-driven approach, managing 7-figure media budgets and driving measurable growth through hands-on execution.

 

Beyond work, he is passionate about movement and mental well-being. He stays active through fitness and leads Clear Steps, a mental health awareness charity that helps men reconnect through outdoor activities such as hiking and group events. He aims to balance strategic focus with genuine human connection—in media and in life.

Bekir Shabanovich

Affiliate Strategy & Growth

A performance-driven marketer with a deep-rooted background in affiliate traffic, Bekir brings hands-on expertise across media buying, tracking architecture, and player acquisition in the online casino space. Having worked across Tier-1 and Tier-3 geos, he understands both the technical and strategic layers of FTD-driven growth, from postback flows and fraud control to campaign scaling and LTV optimization.

 

As CPO of ClickSpin, Bekir focuses on building long-term partnerships with affiliates and operators alike, combining transparent economics with practical execution. With a hybrid model across CPA and RevShare, and a dedicated streamers network on Kick, and TikTok, Bekir drives measurable results and scalable acquisition pipelines for modern iGaming brands.

 

Based between the Balkans and Western Europe, he offers a grounded, ROI-focused approach to traffic and affiliate operations in high-competition markets.

Hansi Asiredano

Marketing Coordinator

Experienced marketing professional with a strong background in social media strategy, content creation, and brand communication. At NYCE, Hansi leads the development and execution of digital campaigns that amplify brand presence, engage global communities, and align with strategic venture initiatives. Skilled in graphic design, copywriting, photo and video editing, and cross-channel content planning. Hansi also manages day-to-day operations, coordinates with internal and external teams, and ensures all communications reflect our brand voice with clarity and consistency.

Alex Conti

Sales and Payments

An experienced operations manager in the high-risk payments space, Alex has a proven track record of navigating complex, fast-paced environments across the Asian payments landscape. With a UK law degree, he ensures regulatory insight with practical expertise in payment operations, compliance coordination, and risk management. Based between Asia and the Isle of Man, Alex offers a global perspective and a structured, results-driven approach to international payment solutions—ensuring deals are executed efficiently and effectively.

Patrecia Jacaban

Operations

With a strong foundation in Customer service, Patrecia brings a proven outstanding record of achievement both retail and financial banking sectors. As a top associate for quality, she delivers exceptional service and fostering positive client relationship. She thrives in fast-paced environments, and her entrepreneurial background enables her to approach challenges creatively and strategically, ensuring efficient operations and seamless collaborations.

Ross Crocker

Finance

Ross Crocker is an ACA Chartered Accountant, trained at KPMG and qualifying as a chartered accountant at the age of 22. With extensive experience in financial reporting, tax consulting, and strategic decision-making, Ross has worked across various industries. He has led financial operations, driving cost savings and improving financial strategies, while also advising high-profile clients on tax matters. With a strong focus on data analysis and financial analytics, Ross excels at leveraging insights to inform business strategy and optimise financial performance.