VAULTAVO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer - Payments
- Specialist in Information Security
Ernest has been active in the payments industry for over two decades. When Internet eCommerce and payment gateways were still mysteries to the general public, he developed an Internet Payment Gateway using SOAP Protocol (Web Service) with retail credit card terminals.
Ernest is a specialist in Information Security and holds CISSP and CISA certifications. In 2000, he joined Transact24 Limited as System Architect. He reshaped and renovated the in-house payment systems and greatly improved the scalability and availability. Ernest was promoted to Chief Technology Officer in 2014 and was responsible for all payment systems in the different spectrums, such as payment gateway for eCommerce Acquiring, Customer Management System for Prepaid Card Issuing and the ACH Processing system. When Ceevo was formed, Ernest focused on applying new technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Blockchain / Cryptocurrency for the next generation of payment systems.
Gideon is known for achieving extraordinary results with organizations worldwide through strategic positioning, digital transformation, and new ventures. He founded Virtual Consulting (VCI) in 1995, which has become a leading strategic planning consultancy throughout the world. He has worked with many of the largest global resources companies as well as national and regional professional organizations and corporations on designing strategies and supporting their transformations.
He is also active with many new ventures, including having founded YoungerLonger in 2019. He became Chairman of Lumico in 2020 and Confirm4Funds in January 2021 - both successful startups.
James Fick - Chief Commercial Officer
With over 10+ years of working across various Fintech commercial roles, James has a rich pedigree in all commercial disciplines, both academically and practically. Graduating from the University of Salford in 2009 with an MSc Marketing (Masters) and BSc (Hons) in Business Studies, he began his career in Marketing working for both M&C Saatchi and WPP. He moved into Business Development over a decade ago with his first role in Fintech at Ixaris and he has largely focused his Fintech career on card issuing, card processing and programme management. With a hands-on approach, James has had an influential role in the development of many card programmes at the likes of AirPlus, Diners Club International and Ceevo, crafting the proposition and their commercialisation with great success.
Running the whole Issuing arm of Ceevo, he helped oversee the development of a number of Crypto related projects, most notably a white-label crypto linked prepaid card program with Visa. With experience of delivering cutting edge solutions and services, securing multi-year 7 & 8 digit revenue contracts across all levels of Financial Institutions, ranging from Fintechs to Tier 1 banks, James understands how to service this fast growing market and drive the growth of our cutting edge technology, making crypto easier and more inclusive for all financial institutions.
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer - Crypto and Blockchain
Keith has been active in the security and financial technology solutions industries for over 16 years. He obtained a B.Sc degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. In 2005, he joined Nasdaq listed Net1 where he was responsible for the implementation, cryptography and security of the UEPS and Mastercard applications for over 30 million cards issued in more than 10 countries. In 2020, Keith became Chief Information Officer for the Net1 group and was responsible for the blockchain, cryptography and digital banking technologies within the group with a focus on international markets. When the Ceevo Crypto and Blockchain initiatives were launched, Keith set up and led the development team that architected and developed the innovative FortBlox Crypto custody solution as well as Lokto, an innovative portal for the buying and selling of crypto.
Job Titles:
- Chief Compliance and Risk Officer
Peter Harris is a highly resourceful and seasoned governance, risk management and compliance professional with over 35 years experience in the financial industry. He is a qualified chartered accountant, certified internal auditor and has certified risk management credentials. He spent 15 years working as a senior executive with Morgan Stanley in Asia, serving on the Asia Operating Committee and fulfilling various roles such as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Internal Audit. He has led teams responsible for Internal Audit, Risk Management, Information Security and Business Continuity.
Peter joined Ceevo in Hong Kong in 2017 as Head of International Compliance and Chief Risk Officer and was responsible for all compliance, licensing and risk management matters as they related to global payments and distributed ledger technology products.
Philip has been active in the Fintech and payments industry for over 20 years. After obtaining a Master's degree in Engineering, he spent 18 years with Naspers, a global media group, where he became Chief Executive: IT and New Media. Here he started various New Media ventures including launching an internet portal in China in 2000.
In 2000 Philip moved to London to join a payment start-up and in 2006 he founded Transact24 Limited in Hong Kong. When Nasdaq listed Net1 acquired Transact24, he became an Executive Officer of the Net1 Group tasked with integrating the various international payment companies that Net1 acquired into an international payment group. This led to the formation of the Ceevo Group that spanned four continents and offered services such as USA ACH, EU-facing acquiring and SEPA services, EU Iban issuing, prepaid card issuing and various other alternative payment options.
Philip also led the project team that conceptualized and developed the innovative Fort Blox Crypto Custody product, Net1's spearhead into the world of Crypto and blockchain.