Kamal Shah

Kamal is the head of Stephenson Harwood's Africa and India groups. He specialises in complex, cross-border international arbitration, litigation and fraud and asset recovery. Kamal is highly regarded by his peers and clients for his Africa and India experience, as well as in his abilities in multi-jurisdictional disputes.

Sherina Petit

Sherina Petit is a dispute resolution partner at Stewart’s Law and heads the firm’s International Arbitration department and India practice.

She specialises in international arbitration, litigation and ADR across a broad range of industries representing clients across the globe in numerous ad hoc and institutional arbitrations. In addition, Sherina regularly sits as an arbitrator in international arbitrations, is a published writer and speaker on international arbitration and is an expert on India-related matters.

Sherina is on the LCIA Board of Directors, the LCIA Remuneration Committee, the Chair of the EFILA board, the ICC Indian Arbitration Group, the SIAC Users Council and the SIAC Users Council’s Regional/National Committee for the United Kingdom

Funmilayo Iyayi

Funmi is a legal practitioner licensed to practise in Ghana and Nigeria. She worked in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode as a member of the commercial dispute resolution team for several years, where she represented clients in contentious and non-contentious matters as well as functioned as the secretary to arbitral tribunals. Thereafter she served as in-house counsel in one of Nigeria’s leading real estate development companies, a role she held for two years before joining the Lagos Court of Arbitration as the general counsel. Funmi transitioned to the role of chief executive officer of LACIAC in January 2018 and was appointed a member of the Board in December 2018.

Andrew S. Nevin, PhD

Ola Belgore

Morray Mclaren

Moray has been advising law firms for over 20 years. A lawyer by training, he completed an MBA in legal services before assisting one of the London law firms on their global expansion. Today he advises the top independent law firms as they review their practice focus, governance, remuneration and ownership models. Many are coming to terms with the changing needs of their people and also their clients during what are increasingly challenging times. Moray also assists the global law firms as they enter new markets. Over recent years his work has focused on continental Europe, Latin America, Africa and India.

Nick Ashcroft

Nick acts on complex and high value commercial disputes for a variety of clients. As well as acting for clients in the English High Court, Nick has acted on a significant number of major international arbitrations (including ICC, LCIA and AAA rules). He also often co-counsels with local counsel in other common law jurisdictions.

Nick is a market leading adviser on business protection litigation.  He is highly experienced in advising on taking action (ranging from securing undertakings, obtaining urgent injunctive relief including search and seizure orders, to pursuing claims for damages/loss of profits) to enforce the employer's rights and protect confidential information.

Ola Belgore

With close to 20 years’ experience gained in the Financial Industry, Ola’s diverse and rich professional career started in 2003 and has seen him handling different challenging roles in Stockbroking, Asset Management, Portfolio Advisory and Business Development.

A graduate of Microbiology from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, Ola received his MBA in International Business from the prestigious Lincoln University, California USA. He began his career at TRW Stockbrokers Limited from where he joined Meristem Securities Limited in 2006. In 2008, he rose rapidly to become the pioneer Head of the Wealth Management Department of Meristem Wealth Management Limited, a subsidiary which he helped set up alongside two other colleagues.

Recognized as a valuable asset to the organization for his strategic skills at driving projects, he was redeployed to Group Business Development with the herculean responsibility of coordinating, integrating and driving Business Development of the five companies in Meristem.

Matthew Wood

Matthew specialises in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure assets including utilities (both conventional and renewable), petrochemicals, oil & gas, ports, mining, airports, education and transport.

He has gained broad experience advising sponsors, lenders (including Islamic banks and export credit/multi-lateral agencies) and government institutions across a diverse range of jurisdictions in the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia.

Kazeem Oladepo

Kazeem Oladepo is the Vice President, IHS Tower. He is an emerging market specialist with over 15 years C-Level experience in business strategy and operations in West Africa’s ICT sector across service verticals (Wholesale, Retail and Enterprise) in the key value segments (Mobile networks and services, Connectivity networks and services and Data Center infrastructure and Value Added Services).

Possess diverse hands-on transaction and operational skills and competence in General Management, Business Development; Commercial (Sales and Marketing); Corporate and Project Finance; Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance; Project Management and Corporate Strategy.

BABATUNDE OBRIMAH

Dr. Babatunde Oghenobruche Obrimah is the Chief Operating Officer, COO of FinTech Association of Nigeria (FinTechNGR) and has responsibility for the day to day management of the association. An accomplished and multi-talented executive with substantial experience developing and leading banking, financial, project/program and administrative management. He’s skilled in managing all aspects of business, leading finance, and implementing best development strategies for operational excellence. Ability to provide leadership and direction for all corporate activities and staff members ensuring alignment with organizational mission, vision, strategic objectives, and annual performance targets. Skilled in leading end to end business change, from readiness and impact assessment to implementation of sustainable transformation and benefits realization.

Highly Instrumental in developing new services and projects, including setting realistic and achievable goals and outcomes. A true leader able to influence revenue positive outcomes, establish/direct robust financial management capability, and formulate strategies to enable strong financial governance to mitigate risks and improve profitability. Successful in developing and motivating high performance teams to exceed challenging business objectives across a multitude of channels.

Educational achievements include a D.B.A, M.B.A, B.Sc./M.Sc. Agronomy and certifications in Project Management (PMP & PRINCE2) and Life Coaching. I have attended various international and local programs on leadership, strategy, marketing, skills, risk management, amongst others.

REMI AIYELA

Remi Aiyela is a partner at Gunnercooke llp. Her expertise is wills for clients with a high net worth. She specialises in creating premium wills for the UK for clients who want to pass their wealth on to future generations effectively and tax-efficiently. She has over 20 years’ experience making wills for business owners, company directors, executive management, celebrities and international clients. She works with advisers across other jurisdictions to provide comprehensive advice to UK clients with foreign assets and international clients with UK assets, ensuring a joined-up approach.

She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the leading global professional association for practitioners who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning. She writes and speaks regularly about wills.

CECILIA AKINTOMIDE, OON.

Cecilia Akintomide joined the Board of FBN Holdings Plc. on July 19, 2016. She is a seasoned professional with executive level management experience. She was, until recently, Vice President Secretary General of the African Development Bank, where she was responsible for managing the secretariat as well as shareholder relations involving 80 member states. She was also responsible for the work programs of the Boards, and the institution’s diplomatic relations. In addition, she was a member of the senior management coordination and operations committees and chaired the committee for the preparation of the Annual Meetings.

Prior to her role as VPSG, she headed the public and private sector financing legal services team, covering projects in the whole of Africa, and also served as Chief Counsel Institutional Affairs, as well as Finance Counsel. She brings to the Board of FBN Holdings Plc., her wealth of management experience, particularly from an international financial institution, and her legal experience spanning over 30 years’ post call to bar, with expertise in corporate governance, institutional affairs, business reorganisations and financing. She has practiced law in different jurisdictions, including as a Business Reorganisation Associate in the law firm of Weil Gotshal & Manges, in New York, and as a Junior Associate at O. Thomas & Co., Lagos.

She was a member of the United Nations election monitoring team for the 1994 presidential elections in South Africa, won by Nelson Mandela. She was awarded Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2014 for her meritorious contributions in the field of International Development. She is experienced in working and leading in a multicultural and bilingual environment. Cecilia is a frequent speaker at international events on Law, Development and Gender. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar and the New York Bar. She holds gold and bronze medals in swimming, and is a Deacon as well as a member of the church choir.

HAROLD BRAKO

Harold is a finance litigation and disputes partner. He specialises in banking and finance litigation, with particular expertise in asset based lending and receivables financing. He provides advice to a wide range of clients in the finance sector, including members of the Asset Based Finance Association and the Finance and Leasing Association as well as the major UK clearing banks.

Harold is an experienced litigator, advising clients in relation to all aspects of dispute resolution including claims for and against lenders, fraud claims and asset recovery involving urgent injunctive processes, contractual / commercial disputes, reviews and enforcement of security and insolvency proceedings.

Following 10 years at DLA Piper UK LLP, in 2009 he founded and headed up the Manchester office of Shoosmiths LLP. He joined Addleshaw Goddard LLP in 2017.

Taiwo Oyedele

As the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, I lead a team of experts and stakeholders to recommend and implement reforms that enhance fiscal governance, tax transformation and economic growth facilitation in Nigeria. I previously worked as the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PwC, where I advise clients on tax matters, strategic planning and policy analysis across the continent.

With over 20 years of experience in finance, business and economic matters, I am passionate about creating positive impact through research, education and policy advocacy. I am an author, keynote speaker, strategist and commentator on various media platforms. I am also an Associate Professor at Babcock University and a guest lecturer at the Lagos Business School, where I facilitate courses on taxation, fiscal policy, investments and development finance. I hold executive certificates from the London School of Economics, Yale University and Harvard Kennedy School. I am the Founder and President of Impact Africa Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports youth empowerment and social development initiatives.

Harrold Brako

Harold is a Finance Litigation and Disputes Partner, with particular expertise in banking, asset based lending and receivables financing disputes, both cross border and domestic.  He provides advice to the major UK clearing banks, challenger banks, international banks and a wide range of finance sector clients (which include Private Equity and other independent funders).  Harold heads-up Addleshaw Goddard's Manchester office (having also previously founded and headed up the Manchester office of Shoosmiths).

As an experienced litigator, Harold provides advice on and acts in relation to all aspects of dispute resolution, including claims for and against lenders, fraud claims and asset recovery involving urgent worldwide injunctive processes, contractual / commercial disputes, reviews and enforcement of security and insolvency proceedings.  Harold is consistently recognised as a leading lawyer in the Legal 500 law directory given his client base, depth of knowledge, experience and peer recognition.

MATTHEW WOOD

Matthew specialises in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure assets including utilities (both conventional and renewable), petrochemicals, oil & gas, ports, mining, airports, education and transport.

He has gained broad experience advising sponsors, lenders (including Islamic banks and export credit/multi-lateral agencies) and government institutions across a diverse range of jurisdictions in the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia.

SCOTT COWAN

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Africa Legal, part of the Africa Professional Services Group, I lead a dynamic team that is passionate about creating visibility and opportunities for African legal professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the legal recruitment and executive search industry, I have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the African legal sector.

My mission is to help African lawyers access the latest jobs and legal news in one place, and to provide them with a market-leading online education platform that offers accredited courses and partnerships with top universities across the continent. Through Africa Legal, I aim to empower the next generation of African legal leaders and contribute to the development and growth of the African legal market. I am also a proud GlobalScot, a network of business leaders who promote Scotland's interests and values globally.

BABATUNDE AKINYANJU

With over 30 years of experience in the legal field, I am a passionate advocate for the rule of law and the fair and efficient administration of criminal justice. I founded the Criminal Justice Advisory Group (CJAG), a division of Femoda Juris Ltd, an international law and business consultancy, to share my knowledge and expertise with governments, judicial officers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world.

As the founder and moderator of CJAG, I organize and facilitate online and in-person learning events, covering current and emerging issues in criminal law and procedure, such as sexual offences, children in the criminal justice system, road traffic, bail, and sentencing. I also work as a legal adviser at HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), where I provide guidance and support to judges and magistrates on legal issues and mediation processes. I leverage my skills in courts, mediation, and legal issues to contribute to the improvement of access to justice and the quality of decision-making.

KEM IHENACHO

Kem Ihenacho is the Global Vice Chair of the Private Equity Practice. He is an M&A lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, focusing on UK and international private equity, infrastructure, and M&A transactions.

Mr. Ihenacho is recognized as a leader in his field by numerous publications. He is listed in the 2015 Lawyer Magazine’s Hot 100 list as a private equity star, and Chambers Global 2017 recognized him as an Africa Expert, stating: “He’s highly commercial, very experienced and knows the markets inside out.”

Mr. Ihenacho has sat on the legal advisory boards of various private equity industry bodies.

Funmi Iyayi

She is admitted to practice in both Ghana and Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in International Commercial Dispute Resolution from the Queen Mary University of London.

Funmi has, at different times, worked as counsel at some of Nigeria’s leading Nigerian law firms and at a boutique Dispute Resolution law firm in Ghana. Prior to joining TEMPLARS, she was General Counsel at the Lagos Court of Arbitration. She later transitioned to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre.