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Professor Arnold Beckmann
Professor of Computer Science, and Head of Department of Computer Science at Swansea UniversityArnold Beckmann received his PhD and Habilitation in Mathematics from University of Münster in Germany. He gained post-doctoral experiences at University of Oxford, University of California in San Diego, and Vienna University of Technology. He is currently Professor of Computer Science, and Head of Department of Computer Science, at Swansea University.
Arnold conducts research in fundamentals of Computer Science, based on Mathematical Logic and Theoretical Computer Science. He is member of Council of the Association Computability in Europe (ACiE), and chair of The Proof Society (TPS). He is Editorial Board
member of scientific journals Annals for Pure and Applied Logic, Archive for Mathematical Logic, Computability, and Managing Editor of the scientific book series Perspectives in Logic.
He has edited 11 journal special issues and 5 proceedings volumes, and served as co-chair of the scientific advisory committee of 3 major conferences.
Arnold has developed a profile for transferring his expertise to applications. He is founding member of the Swansea Blockchain Lab, and involved in several projects that explore the application of blockchain technology to real world problems. He has published a book chapter and a research paper, and has given several talks on blockchain. He is teaching a module on blockchain, and has given a lecture at a PhD summer school on that topic.
Dr Cerian Jones
Patent attorney at Cerian Jones IPAfter gaining a PhD in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) and lecturing in Computer Science for many years, Cerian took a career change and became a patent attorney, specialising in the protection of software-implemented inventions. As the owner of Cerian Jones IP consultancy, she works with entrepreneurs and innovators from across Wales, the UK and the world to ring fence and defend their intellectual property. Areas of particular specialisation include FinTech and cyber security (she was a co-founder of the South Wales Cyber Security Cluster), and is one of few patent attorneys with in-depth technical and legal experience of blockchain, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency technologies.
Dr Yingli Wang
Reader in Logistics and Operations Management at Cardiff UniversityDr Yingli Wang is a Reader in logistics and operations management at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. Yingli specialises and researches in digital transformation and technological innovations in supply chains. One of her research priorities is blockchain/distributed ledger technology and its integrative use with other digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things and cloud computing. For a list of her publications, please visit her webpage.
She is currently involved in a number of blockchain initiatives internationally, for instance she sits as a blockchain supply chain expert for World Economic Forum’s Centre for the
Fourth Industrial Revolution, shaping the trajectory of blockchain deployment in supply chains towards interoperability, integrity and inclusivity.
In the UK, she’s been working with a few organisations from the construction and fintech sectors exploring the deployment of blockchain for value creation. She is keen in raising awareness and sharing knowledge about blockchain in supply chain and has delivered in collaboration with industrial partners a master class on blockchain at RICS Digital Built Environment Conference 2019 (London) and a webinar on blockchain's role in the circular
economy for the World Built Environment Forum. She is also one of the core contributors to the Blockchain Deployment Toolkit recently launched by World Economic Forum.
Dr. Wang is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). Before embarking on her academic career, she worked for about 8.5 years at Nestlé China in various senior managerial roles.
Stephen Draycott
Creative at CyptobuildThe Founder member of bitcoin Wales in 2013. Working in UX UI design of crypto Fintech products and speaker at crypto related events since 2014.
Jack Davies
Blockchain Researcher at nChainJack Davies is a blockchain researcher at nChain, specialising in cryptographic applications, network theory and data protocols for Bitcoin-based systems. Jack has been working in the field for nearly two years immediately after completing an undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences (Physical) at Cambridge University.
In his research, Jack has helped develop a number concepts relating to novel usage of the blockchain. A notable example of his work is the Metanet, a framework for a value-based internet, which Jack has contributed to in his role at nChain, and which he publicly detailed at the 2019 CoinGeek Toronto conference. Other significant contributions include his work on simplified payment verification (SPV) and in examining the layered-network structure of Bitcoin.
One of Jack’s key interests is furthering education in blockchain, both in corporate and academic circles. In the past 6 months, Jack has given guest lectures at the University of Swansea, and several London-based institutions on the economic theory of Bitcoin. In addition, Jack is one of the co-founders of the BSV Wales blockchain meetup group, where he has helped run educational events, seeking to improve the quality of information disseminated throughout Wales’ technology industries.
Avril Lewis MBE
Managing Director of Technology ConnectedAvril was appointed Managing Director of the Technology Connected, formerly the ESTnet, in May 2012.
Her background is in the semiconductor industry, and she was awarded the MBE for services to the technology industry in Wales in 2018.
Nicola McNeely
HCR Law LLPWhilst working with entrepreneurial and innovative people in Wales and across the UK, especially in advanced manufacturing and technology businesses, Nicola’s focus is on working closely with clients to solve their problems and really understand how their businesses work.
Nicola has worked on secondment to the Royal Mint at Llantrisant, focusing on new business and intellectual property, but also for clients in a range of sectors on software outsourcing agreements, blockchain solutions and EMI schemes. Giving businesses the right legal infrastructure to enable them to develop and grow is important to Nicola and therefore Nicola has found her non-executive director role with Business in Focus, supporting Welsh businesses, fascinating.