Speakers

Ben Levin is a Technical Program Manager at Meta Platforms where he leads policy and standards to prevent data loss during the lifecycle of storage media devices and enable more sustainable end of life opportunities. With over twenty years of experience in the technology and security space, Ben has held leading roles in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Prior to his current role, Ben developed standards for secure and sustainable electronic products and services at the Global Electronics Council. At Deloitte Consulting, he helped U.S. federal clients formulate and execute technology, information sharing/safeguarding, and AI/ML strategy. He also served for nearly a decade in the U.S. National Security Agency and six years in the United States Navy, where he held variety of technology and security leadership roles, ranging from cybersecurity, counterintelligence, and satellite program management.

Ben also is an active member of the IEEE Security in Storage Working Group and Circular Drive Initiative, supporting the development of international security and sustainability standards.

Andrew is the Executive Director at n2s, & founding partner of Bioscope Technologies, both companies championing circular economy within technology, proving our innovative methodologies support companies decarbonising targets for their technology they buy & use. Andrew’s passion & drive is for the value in technology to support companies sustainability goals & to achieve this, n2s & bioscope will educate, action & redefine the lifecycle of technology, accelerating the reduction of global E-waste & produce the future of sustainable green metals.

Namrata Sengupta is a dynamic business leader with over 27 years of experience in business strategy, management, and global partnerships. As the SVP of International Business, she heads the global expansion of Stellar's software products in data erasure, recovery, and file repair. A thought leader in data privacy and destruction solutions, Namrata frequently speaks at global events such as the IAITAM Conference, ITAD Summit, EScrap, and ADISA. She is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, advocating for equality and empowerment within organizations.  Namrata's expertise spans business management, sales, marketing, and communication. She excels in driving revenue growth, enhancing profitability, and delivering results in challenging environments. Namrata is a Forbes Technology Council Member, where she authors many articles related to data destruction and advocates the importance of data security.

Renee Schafer, CSDS has been with Data Security Inc.® since 1999.  As COO (Chief Operations Officer), Renee leads the company through strategic decisions and effective management of all departments of our business as we design, manufacture, sell and support our own product line.  She works directly with the National Security Agency (NSA), data destruction scientists, and electronic media storage experts.   She is a member of the Forbes Business Council, the FBI’s InfraGard and FBI Citizen’s Academy, the iSIGMA America’s Advocacy Committee and was the first Certified Secure Destruction Specialist® (CSDS®) in the state of Nebraska.  Renee speaks around the world to educate people on information protection. She leads an active family-life as well as participates in various community fundraising efforts and volunteers regularly at local outreach centers and her church.

Amit founded Phoenix Innovations, LLC., in 2016. Under his leadership, Phoenix has focused on two principal aims – solving critical problems faced in reverse logistics and supply chain space innovatively and using the power of artificial intelligence, IoT, and Big Data to simplify this domain.

Andrew's professional experience spans more than 25 years, marked by executive leadership and entrepreneurial ventures. His journey began in the technology Value-Added Reseller (VAR) sector, earning leadership roles at CDW and Insight, delivering on quotas up to $100 million annually. In the last eight years, Andrew has leveraged his experience to focus on the Mobile Processing, IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), and Data Sanitization industries. His journey began at Blancco, where he emerged as a top global producer, followed by Chief Executive Officer of Securaze US, where he developed the GTM strategy, secured key partnerships and championed product innovation. Now, Andrew serves as Co-Founder of CypherBlk, a stealth startup committed to delivering innovative solutions that contribute to a secure and sustainable digital world. Andrew is an empathetic leader, polished speaker and regularly serves as an industry expert on panel discussions. He is well-versed in market trends and their application to contemporary business, sharing the latest insights, providing thought leadership and facilitating key connections across the industry. Andrew serves as an Advisor to SERI's Data Experts Group, Advisory Board Member to Cell Phones for Soldiers, and actively participates in numerous industry trade groups.

Ed is an exceptional Cyber Security leader, with extensive knowledge across most sectors, as a defender, vendor, consultant and founder. He was the 2017 European Chief Information Security Officer of the Year, UK Security Professional of the Year, and Security Leader of the Year and has been recognised for his vision and execution.

Sue has over two decades of expertise in the IT Asset Disposition industry and plays a pivotal role as Strategic Relationship Director at Vyta where she supports strategic relations, aligning collaborative goals and delivering agile solutions for customers and partners. Her career in the ITAD Industry began in 2000 at RDC where she gained skills and knowledge in building complete lifecycle solutions to meet customers’ compliance and financial requirements. Since, her career has spanned multiple organizations including EOL IT Services and Global Resale, where she held the position of Lifecycles Services Consultant, introducing partner solutions to develop its client base. From there, Sue was appointed IT Asset Manager at The Workshop, a global technology company where she built an IT Asset Management function from the ground up. Sue is an advocate for personal development and helping her colleagues and peers reach their goals and full potential. She recently spoke at the ITAD Summit in Miami where she shared her professional journey and talked movingly about the importance of mentorship and collaboration within the industry.

Richard leads the development of new services within the trading arm of The Salvation Army, looking at new ways they can help people and protect the planet whilst raising funds for the charity to continue the work they do throughout the UK. He has a breadth of business knowledge, having worked in the corporate sector for over 15 years, including living and working internationally in India. In 2022 he moved to the third sector, keen to use his knowledge and skills to better support the most vulnerable in the UK. He is a qualified programme manager, specialising in development and continuous improvement. Richard is a passionate family man who enjoys travelling and adventure, living in Essex with his wife, two sons and cockapoo.

Deborah has 20+ years’ experience in sustainable design and manufacture, the Circular Economy and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and is proud to be a Chartered Environmentalist. She adopts a whole systems approach to the challenges of sustainability and circularity that include consideration of all life cycle stages from design, through use and end-of-life. She is engaged in related research and enterprise activities with various sectors. Deborah has collaborated with the data centre industry since 2010 and is the founder and academic lead for CEDaCI; this EU Interreg NWE-funded project generated ground-breaking research to develop a Circular Economy for the Data Centre Industry. A key output is the Circular Data Centre Compass – a free online resource which enables stakeholders to make informed decisions about sustainability, procurement and retirement of equipment in line with their business focus.

Paul Finnis founded the UK Digital Poverty Alliance and is the Strategic Advisor to Unconnected.org which connected 2,5 million people in the UK and around the world in 2023.

3rd generation technician with almost 70 years of repair tradition in the family, almost 1000 partner workshops in Germany, a lot of enthusiasm and lots of exciting stories out of the repair shops. Growing up between crafters was
Technician from Germany who repaired nearly every electronic device you can find in a household and beyond.
Lobbies for the right to repair and also takes a position as an expert on television, radio, newspapers, etc
Managing director of a family business, board member of the Runder Tisch Reparatur e.V., participation in standardization committees, Deputy chairman of the digitalization committee of the Reutlingen Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Initiator of the Smartphone Alliance (bringing together different stakeholders to improve the Smartphone repair conditions) and much more.

Roger is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Extreme Protocol Solutions. After graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from WPI in 1993 he worked as a data storage engineer for EMC Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation before founding EPS in 1999. With over 25 years of industry leadership, storage protocol, and hardware expertise, he has made EPS a global player in the data storage test, development, and sanitization markets. His commitment to cutting-edge, customer-focused solutions that ensure risk mitigation while providing substantial ROI has allowed EPS to secure the trust and business of many Fortune 100, 500, and 1000 companies.

An expert in document and media destruction, specialising in the Government and Defence environments, where she has over 35 years sales experience, Heather understands the need for practical secure document and data carrier destruction policies and methods. 

With over 20 years working for German manufacturers of high quality office and industrial shredders, and having been at HSM UK for 14 years, she uses her extensive knowledge of correct and timely paper and media destruction to advise customers across a broad spectrum of government, defence and commercial organisations. 

With a real passion for finding the right product to do the correct job for the customer and providing value for money, Heather has a reputation as a go-to person in this field.

Darrel Arjoon is a visionary thought leader in the realm of IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and IT Sustainability, renowned for his innovative approach and profound expertise in driving sustainable technology solutions. As the founder and CEO of Reuse Technology, Darrel has dedicated his career to redefining how organizations manage their IT assets, ensuring that they not only maximize value recovery but also adhere to the highest environmental standards. With over two decades of experience in the IT industry, Darrel has built a reputation for his deep understanding of IT lifecycle management, data security, and environmental stewardship. His forward-thinking strategies have positioned Reuse Technology at the forefront of the ITAD industry, delivering comprehensive solutions that emphasize reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal of electronic waste. Darrel’s expertise extends to ITAD for networking equipment, where he has developed specialized protocols to handle the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this critical infrastructure. Darrel’s leadership is marked by a commitment to sustainability and a passion for educating businesses about the critical importance of environmentally conscious IT practices. He regularly speaks at industry conferences, sharing insights on the latest trends in ITAD, the economic benefits of sustainable IT management, and the evolving regulatory landscape. His thought leadership is also reflected in numerous articles and whitepapers, where he advocates for circular economy principles and the integration of sustainability into corporate IT strategies. Under Darrel’s guidance, Reuse Technology has developed proprietary methodologies that not only ensure compliance with international standards but also promote social responsibility. His innovative approaches have helped countless organizations reduce their carbon footprint, mitigate risks associated with data breaches, and achieve their sustainability goals. A respected figure in the industry, Darrel Arjoon continues to inspire and lead the charge towards a more sustainable future in IT. His unwavering dedication to excellence and sustainability has not only transformed Reuse Technology into a leader in ITAD but has also set a benchmark for the industry at large.

Steve Mellings is the Founder and CEO of the ADISA Group, which encompasses ADISA Certification. He is recognised for his pivotal role in authoring the ADISA ICT Asset Recovery Standard 8.0, an official UK GDPR Certification Scheme designed for organisations that recover and sanitise redundant electronics. Under his leadership, ADISA has become a prominent certification body, holding the esteemed Standard 8.0 and serving as the Certification Body for LOCS:23, both of which are ICO UK GDPR Certification Schemes.

As a Partner Account Director at Tier 1 Asset Management, Beverley leverages her 20 + years of experience in IT asset disposal (ITAD) to deliver sustainable and socially responsible solutions for clients. Beverley has a particular interest in Social Value and is responsible for Tier 1's partnerships between Computer Aid International and The Unconnected.org. Beverley creates global solutions for clients that wish to enable a bridge of the digital divide, whilst meeting both legal and environmental obligations.

Callum Snell has been a part of BSI since 2018, working with a variety of certification schemes within the Energy sector. As the Certification Team Manager for Electrical/Electronics, he brings extensive experience and a sharp focus on compliance with BS 8887 for both remanufacturers and reconditioners. Callum's approach is characterized by a steadfast commitment to guiding Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) initiatives towards sustainability and impactful outcomes, showcasing his leadership in shaping the industry landscape.

Joost de Kluijver started Closing the Loop, a company that makes 'circularity for tech' tangible, appealing and understandable, today. He works with the technology sector and its stakeholders in turning circular ambitions into results.

Closing the Loop is recognized for its work in emerging markets, customer-focused circularity approach, and partnerships with leading telecom brands to drive towards a closed-loop industry.

Joost has over 12 years of entrepreneurial experience. In addition to running his own company, he has a background in consulting and has previously worked with the Global Reporting Initiative, among other roles.

Sarah joined the ICO in 2015, initially providing advice and guidance to organisations and individuals before moving to Assurance as Lead Auditor. This involved consensual and compulsory audits within the public and private sector. Sarah joined the Codes and Certification team in 2018 with responsibility for developing processes, guidance and engaging with stakeholders to encourage the development of data protection certification schemes. She has subsequently enabled the approval of the data protection requirements for five UK GDPR certification schemes related to age assurance, age appropriate design, asset disposal and training & qualifications, and legal client services with more on the horizon. Sarah has a broad knowledge of UK data protection legislation, as well as specific expertise in certification, and has represented the ICO both nationally and internationally – representing the ICO at the European Data Protection Board expert subgroup for certification and codes of conduct. She has led a number of information sharing sessions for international bodies and data protection authorities, sharing the ICO’s experience of developing the UK GDPR certification framework.

With a wealth of experience in proposition development working with sales and marketing teams. Kier looks to share knowledge on leveraging BSI Kitemark's value proposition to help improve external and internal operations.

I Have been in the industry since 2011. Started out as an account manager for a ITAD company in Detroit Michigan. Worked with and helped promote the importance of an ITAD operation and process in large fortune 100 and 500 companies in the greater metro Detroit area. Later worked to help streamline our manufacturing processes and became the general manager of asset recovery until 2016. Joined IQ reseller to better streamline our implementation process and to help ITADs better defined their internal processes and help to automation and process to better scale their business. I’ve successfully implemented and tweaked processes for over 100 companies in the ITAD, repair, mobile, 3rd party maintenance and more!

Roberto Tursini gained extensive managerial experience in multinational companies operating in the office equipment and ITC sectors before founding Data Shredding in 2007 and Distruzione Documenti in 2013 where he currently holds the role of General Manager.
From 2011 to 2019 he was an active member of NAID EUROPE, a committee of NAID (National Association Information Destruction - USA), promoting the correct elimination of information while respecting the highest security standards.
Since 2017 he has been present in Unindustria Roma where he has held positions as advisor in the “safety section”, current member of the ITC section and president of the Aprilia district of Small Industry

Craig Smith is Managing Director for ICT Reverse, one of the UK’s leading ITAD's, based in Lancashire.

Since its formation in 2003, when originally known as ShP Ltd, the company has grown from strength to strength and is now one of the area’s leading employers with an impressive range of awards and accreditations. Managing Director Craig Smith said he is proud of the company and its success over the past 20 years and wants to see it continue to develop for many years to come. On average ICT Reverse processes 47,000 assets each month of which 75% are re-used, 25% are recycled and 0% going to landfill.

Looking to the future, Craig’s goal is to develop new and exciting ways to reduce IT waste which is at the forefront of the company’s ambitions. This includes a bioleaching project in partnership with Lancaster University. Craig’s passion for business and the local area has seen him support local charities, sponsor various sports teams (including Morecambe FC) and support organisations such as youth clubs and laptop schemes for children.

When not working Craig enjoys spending time with his family in the area that he loves!

Rich is the Managing Director at Interact, a world leading environmental consultancy utilising circular economy machine learning software, and Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Engineering at London South Bank University (LSBU). His research and development focus are hardware energy efficiency and the environmental and economic impacts of IT hardware during creation, use and disposal. He is a firm believer in the circular economy and sustainable solutions for IT hardware. He has contributed to the UK’s Industrial Strategy, European Legislation (EcoDesign Directive, EU taxonomy on Energy Efficiency) and his research has been published in internationally renowned academic journals (IEEE, Elsevier), conferences (LCM, ICAC, GECOST) and anthologies.

Ben Griffin, the driving force behind Asset Lifecycle Solutions (ALS), has an illustrious career that began with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Liverpool University. His professional journey took off at Ferranti, a renowned Aerospace and Defence company in Manchester, where he climbed the ranks from Chief Engineer to Technical Director, and finally to Business Unit Director at Elbit Systems in Israel. Ben's introduction into the ITAD industry was sparked by an engagement with CDL for Top Secret data sanitisation, leading to his role as Sales Director and subsequently Managing Director after CDL's acquisition by Restore Technology. Recognising a market need for a modern ITAD, Ben leveraged his vast experience to establish Asset Lifecycle Solutions in 2022. Based in Cheshire, ALS thrives under Ben's leadership, embodying his commitment to innovation, security, digital inclusion and sustainability in the ITAD sector. Beyond his professional achievements, Ben is deeply passionate about social value, particularly in providing access to affordable, IT equipment to those less fortunate in the UK. His journey from the aerospace and defence industry to the helm of a pioneering ITAD company showcases his adaptability, visionary approach to business and technology, and his unwavering dedication to making a positive impact both in the industry and the community.

Sebastien is Professor of Enterprise and Innovation, in the Institute of Health and Well-being at Coventry University, where he provides strategic direction, leadership and management of Enterprise and Innovation to develop the academic portfolio within research Centres. His own research interests comprise several areas for the application of biotechnology in the development of sustainable methods. His funding portfolio includes a number of collaborative schemes with industry, including several KTPs and Innovate UK projects, among several partnerships for Bioleaching technology applications for the recovery of metals from Electronic Waste https://www.coventry.ac.uk/business/our-services/projects/current-projects/bioleaching/ Professor Farnaud, has 26 years' experience in Biotechnology in Life Sciences, with expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology and biomedical sciences. With an excellent track record in publishing research of international impact, he is currently involved in several projects that targets the development of sustainable technology including for the recycling of metals but also plastics.

Fredrik Forslund serves as VP & GM for Blanccos International operations. He’s also the Director of the International Data Sanitization Consortium (IDSC), where he leads the organization in its mission to educate industry and standards bodies about data Sanitisation around the world.
With 25 years of Industry experience, Forslund is often regarded as a trusted advisor to large global companies and to Government organisations. He is also co-author to “Net Zeros and Ones”, a book that focus on how secure data sanitisation can release the power of reuse and circularity within the IT-Industry.
When he’s not guiding customers through data erasure processes, or working with Blancco’s internal teams, he can often be found speaking at industry conferences around the globe.

Mat Jordan has over 25 years’ experience within the IT sector, currently the CEO of Procurri. Joining Procurri in 2014 as Sales Director for UK after the acquisition of Tindirect by Procurri and was appointed Head of EMEA in 2016. Progressing to Global Head of Lifecycle Services in 2020 and appointed Global Head of Operations in 2022. Mat participated in a management buyout of Tindirect Ltd in 2005, following which he became an owner of the holding company, Tinglobal. Mat has worked with numerous venture capitalists raising capital and participated in business sales, acquisitions and mergers. Mat Graduated from Southampton Solent University with a BA(Hons) Business Studies.

Alastair Hunter is an Accreditation Specialist (Digital) at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which is the sole National Accreditation Body for the UK, as appointed by UK Government. With nearly 30 years’ experience in accredited conformity assessment, Alastair collaborates with government and other key stakeholders to help build trust and confidence in products and services that can be underpinned by accredited conformity assessment.

Change will continue to happen, influence matters. It is Jan’s drive to work on these changes; unite & represent Independent IT Service Providers, call for a fair and open ICT market and participate in research and legislative processes in Europe. With cars becoming computers on wheels two main sectors in his career came together. Jan’s education has been in Automotive, Business Administration and Total Quality Management. Jan has worked for large businesses and SME’s in the Automotive and the ICT sector. As advisor and analyst he was involved in several M&A projects, business development and creating strategic change. Since 2001 most of his time had been spend in the secondary IT market with roles in the organisations CBE, the Ascdi and Green ICT. Since 2016, he is Executive Director of the Free ICT Europe Foundation to create awareness about the IT Aftermarket and accomplish change in legislation. Circular Economy and Sustainability are key topics. For this he takes the lead in participation of EU projects, development of legislation, lobby activities and research, he is a frequent speaker and the key contact for alliance partners

Peyman Balali is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in IT asset disposition (ITAD) and related fields. He has demonstrated expertise in compliance, sustainability, data security, software development, and ITAD risk management. Currently serving as CEO at Rapid Solutions, Peyman Balali has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including Rapid Track, Driver Master, Rapid Studio, the Total Quality Management System (TQMS), My Smart Guard, and EBrain. Passionate about developing and utilizing cutting-edge technologies in ITAD and electronic recycling, he is committed to driving innovation and sustainability within the ITAD landscape. With a focus on delivering cost-effective solutions for the ITAD industry through the development and adaptation of new technologies, he strives to make a positive impact on both businesses and the environment. As a speaker at this seminar, Peyman Balali is eager to share his insights and experiences, contributing to meaningful discussions and fostering collaboration within the ITAD community. Through engaging with fellow attendees, he aims to inspire and empower others to embrace modern ITAD practices for a more sustainable digital future.

Ulf is the CEO of the Swedish ITAD - Remade in Sweden. Has over 12 years experience form the ITAD industry. Previously worked in IT on both the HW and SW side. Traveled extensively in Europe and Asia for business and also lived abroad for more than 10 years. Married and a father of 3 small people. Enjoys skiing, traveling and a good book

Since 2012, I have successfully founded and managed companies within the HitITgroup® Capital Group, which includes WIPERAPP®, LetLease, and CebITrecykling. My expertise spans enterprise management, personnel management, project management, and engineering design, backed by proven results.

At HitITgroup®, we bridge the gap between business and modern technology, offering comprehensive support and consulting in computer hardware, service, and data security. We handle the entire lifecycle of IT equipment, providing services from procurement and maintenance to recycling.

Our proprietary software, WIPERAPP®, ensures the secure and permanent deletion of data from outdated computers. These devices are then refurbished and repurposed, giving them a second life and contributing to environmental sustainability.

By integrating cutting-edge technology with responsible practices, HitITgroup® not only delivers innovative solutions but also fosters ecological awareness and sustainable development.

Jon Godfrey has been a leader in the ITADS, Recycling and Reuse market place for 30 years. He started Lifecycle Services which he sold to Sims Group where he integrated multiple acquisitions which became Sims Lifecycle Services. Jon has been a campaigner for residual data security and worked with the investigative team who found Paul McCartney's personal bank details, the launch manual for intercontinental ballistic missile systems and a host of illegal content on discarded hard disk drives. Jon is a Director of Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions and Intelligent Storage Solutions who repair and recover hard disk drives.