NYCE TEAM

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 has been at the forefront of the development of the gaming industry for 34 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.

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.

 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 I have 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Ignatius is a visionary leader in AI and technology, renowned for creating global impact through innovative ventures. His expertise spans artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain, strategic negotiations, project management, team leadership, international corporate establishment, special purpose vehicles (SPVs), and a profound understanding of legal frameworks.

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 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.

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.

With more than 15 years of experience in the gaming industry, Onelia Paludi is a professional who has excelled in government agencies and industry controllers, as well as in renowned multinational companies. Her career has led her to work in areas such as personnel management, consulting, organization, strategy, development, negotiation, closing of deals, and more. An expert in the Argentinean market, and with extensive contacts throughout the whole of LATAM, Onelia is ideally placed to support business growth throughout the region.

Navigating the intricate world of payments and cross-border transactions is my specialty. With a background as Head of Operations in the payments industry, I bring expertise in simplifying these complexities for our clients. As a passionate crypto enthusiast, I host local meetups to share the latest trends and insights. Let me help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving payment landscape, ensuring smooth and efficient solutions for your business.

A seasoned entrepreneur and a natural networker, Mishja has decades of experience in the financial services industry. Fulfilling multiple roles across the industry has given him a wealth of experience and the perspective to understand a business from start to finish. With a keen sense for business development and the ability to find creative solutions, he has been instrumental in bringing about sales growth for multiple companies.

Experienced marketing professional with a strong background in social media strategy, content creation, and brand communication. At NYCE, I lead 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. I also manage day-to-day operations, coordinate with internal and external teams, and ensure all communications reflect our brand voice with clarity and consistency.

Xanthi is a global sales and marketing expert focused on results, with more than 15 years of significant expertise in business consulting for the forex, iGaming, financial services, and technology industries. Xanthi has achieved high levels of success across digital marketing campaigns, business development, and increasing sales revenues using an integrated customer centric approach. Now focused on offering industry-leading payment solutions through an extensive network and various marketing channels to the global forex market and beyond.

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.

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.