AI & Digital Unlocked: A Practical Conference for Financial Services Professionals

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Chris Usher (Chair)

Managing Director at the School of International Financial Services

Chris is the Managing Director of the School of International Financial Services (SIFS), a leading provider of training and education in offshore financial services across 15 jurisdictions globally. He has over 25 years of experience in offshore financial services, having previously held senior wealth management roles at Barclays Wealth and Santander, where he advised private clients and corporates on complex global investment solutions and wealth structuring. Chris is currently also a Director at Cavenwell Group. With a deep understanding of geopolitical and economic dynamics, Chris helps clients navigate the changing international wealth structuring landscape and optimise tax efficiency. Chris has trained over 6,000 people in qualifications for the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) in wealth management and is a well-regarded member of the Institute. He also serves on the committee of the Jersey Wealth Managers Association (JWMA) and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Richard Field

Partner, Dispute Resolution at Appleby (Guernsey) LLP

Richard is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution team at Appleby, specialising in corporate, trust and commercial litigation and regulatory matters. His regulatory focus is on data protection (including cyber), AML and compliance, technology and eGaming. Richard is one of the global leads for Privacy and Data Protection at Appleby and is the Guernsey lead for the firm’s Technology and Innovation practice group. He was described by Legal 500 as “the go-to lawyer for data protection matters”. He is also the only Band 1 ranked lawyer for fintech in Guernsey.

Richard has acted for a range of local and global institutions on complex, cross-border disputes involving funds, banking and investment relationships and trusts. Many of the cases he has worked on involve fraud, asset-tracing and applications for injunctive relief, or regulatory issues (such as enforcement, AML, bribery or sanctions), often resulting in ground-breaking judgments, both in Guernsey and England. He isChair of GACO (Guernsey Association of Compliance Officers) and involved in the current review of changes to Guernsey’s financial crime regime and preparations for the island’s MoneyVal assessment.

Head of Digital & Adoption at BDO Jersey

As Head of Digital and Adoption at BDO Jersey, Rory Steel brings a unique blend of expertise as a lifelong educator and technologist. His career has been built at the critical intersection of teaching, learning, and innovation, enabling change through understanding. 

As a passionate early adopter with a commitment to demystifying technology, Rory is adept at making complex digital concepts accessible and understandable for all. He is known for being able to cut through jargon and hype, with relatable, real-world examples that resonate across a diverse range of learners and businesses.  

With a proven track record of delivering transformative change, Rory has significantly advanced Jersey’s digital capabilities. This includes establishing the world’s first Gigabit Cloud School and more recently leading the Digital Jersey Academy, where he championed the island’s digital future through strategic skills development and innovative application of current and emerging technologies. 

Rory is deeply driven by his understanding of how the potential of individuals is intrinsically linked to their environment. He takes considerable pride in his ability to understand an organisation's needs, then embedding innovative digital tools into practical solutions that empower Jersey businesses to remain competitive on the global stage.

Andrew Evans

Head of Innovation Hub at the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC)

Andrew Evans leads the JFSC’s Innovation Hub, advancing forward looking initiatives in AI and virtual assets. With more than 16 years’ experience across financial services, technology and consulting, he specialises in the practical adoption of emerging technologies. He is committed to enabling responsible innovation in Jersey’s finance sector, balancing regulatory rigour with agility, and champions close collaboration between regulators, industry and innovators to shape the future of finance.

Arthur Bennett

Founder of UtendumAI

Arthur is the Founder of UtendumAI, a leading AI training platform helping organisations and professionals harness the power of artificial intelligence responsibly and productively. Through his work with international education bodies and government departments, Arthur has played a key role in guiding institutions through the adoption of AI, developing frameworks and training programmes to support ethical, effective, and sustainable AI integration.

Before founding UtendumAI, Arthur worked closely with a number of international education boards in navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging AI technologies. His focus on accessibility and real-world application has positioned him as a trusted voice in AI education and digital transformation.

Arthur regularly speaks on the intersection of AI, innovation, and organisational strategy, with a particular emphasis on how financial services leaders can future-proof their operations and workforce in the age of intelligent automation. His mission through UtendumAI is to empower teams to move beyond theory and actively leverage AI tools to drive productivity, creativity, and long-term business value.