Themis Podcasts

Women in Financial Crime and Tech - an Interview with Farheen Ishtiaq-Stansfeld

In this episode, Themis' researcher Eliza Thompson interviews Farheen Ishtiaq-Stansfeld, a senior associate specialising in commercial crime at FieldFisher, a full-service firm with a market-leading financial services practice. Farheen shares her career journey thus far and what motivated her to pursue a path in financial crime and white collar law. We also discuss the importance of having colleagues and mentors who champion the development of women and look to build inclusive environments, which helps drive creativity and innovation. This episode is part of a wider series of podcast conversations that Themis is releasing with impressive women working in finance and tech.

Women in Financial Crime and Tech - An Interview with Linda Baskett

In this episode, Themis financial crime researcher Elizabeth Humphrey interviews Linda Baskett, Global Head of Financial Crime at Computershare and former Financial Crime Director for Aon’s UK entities, on the role of tech in fighting financial crime, data protection, and more, as well as her experience working in the financial crime sector as a woman. This conversation is part of a wider series of conversations that Themis is holding with leading women working in financial crime and tech, traditionally male-dominated industries, about their expertise and experiences.

Women in Financial Crime and Tech - An Interview with Katarina Cook

In this episode, Themis' Head of Research Nadia O'Shaughnessy interviews Katarina Cook, Head of Financial Crime and MLRO for Brewin Dolphin, one of the UK's largest wealth management firms. Katarina tells us about her experiences as a female leader working in the world of financial crime and shares valuable advice for young people looking to embark on this career path. She also considers the impacts of remote working on women with carer responsibilities and explores what good parental leave policy looks like. This episode is part of a wider series of podcast conversations that Themis is releasing with impressive women working in finance and tech.

Women in Financial Crime and Tech - An interview with Sue Langley OBE

In this episode, Themis Head of Research Nadia O'Shaughnessy interviews Sue Langley OBE, who has had an illustrious career both the financial services industry and in the public sector. Sue tells us about her own experiences as a female leader in what have traditionally been very male-dominated areas and shares a range of valuable tips for young people navigating their career paths. This episode is part of a wider series of podcast conversations that Themis is releasing with impressive women working in finance and tech.

The Illegal Wildlife Trade: Latest Threats and Trends

Listen to this podcast to hear about the very latest developments in the field of the illegal wildlife trade - both on the side of the perpetrators and law enforcement - and some fascinating case studies from those working on the front line.

Malta removed from the FATF Greylist - An Insiders view

In this episode, as part of Themis’ Women in Financial Crime series, Consuelo Marzi, a Senior Manager at the Maltese Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, talks to Themis Think Tank Manager, Olivia Dakeyne, about Malta’s impressive work to improve its anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing controls, which resulted in it being taken off the Financial Action Task Force’s greylist of jurisdictions with strategic deficiences in June. Listen to this podcast to find out more about Malta’s response to the FATF greylisting, the country’s subsequent work on key financial crime issues and lessons learned from the process.

Crypto assets and terrorist financing: A real concern, or a lot of hype?

Viri Chauhan talks to Professor Nic Ryder, a global expert on terrorist financing about the risks that crypto assets could bring to this topic. In this podcast Nic explains how the use of crypto assets contributes to the terrorist financing typologies and provides some cases and examples of how criminals have taken advantage of technology to fulfil their goals. Nic and Viri also discuss some important developments in the war in Ukraine and how a certain country has designated Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and the implications of this.

UAE Focus: Illicit Financial Flows and the FATF Greylisting

In this episode, Themis financial crime researchers Elizabeth Humphrey and Eliza Thompson discuss the UAE government’s impressive work to combat illicit financial flows through the Emirates. Listen to this podcast to find out more about the UAE’s response to the recent FATF greylisting and the country’s work on key financial crime issues.

The Technological Evolution of Terrorist Financing

In this podcast we talk to Dominika Benton, a PhD candidate whose research focuses on the use of cryptocurrencies in terrorist financing and the use of distributed ledger technology within the suspicious activity reporting regime in counter terrorism financing, about the use of cryptocurrencies, online gaming and the Metaverse in terrorist financing activities. We discuss what has been referred to as the 'gamification' of terrorist violence, a trend where those involved in terrorist financing are making more use of virtual worlds, video games, live streaming platforms and virtual currencies to finance terrorism. Dominika also gives a breakdown of the Dark Web, the future of virtual means of terrorist financing and advice for staying vigilant on social media. Dominika Benton is a part-time PhD candidate. Her research focuses on the use of cryptocurrencies in terrorist financing and the use of distributed ledger technology within the suspicious activity reporting regime in counter terrorism financing. Outside of academia, she is a legal advisor.

Mechanisms to detect and disrupt modern slavery & child exploitation

With the war in Ukraine having displaced more than 8 million people, and the number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution worldwide having now crossed 100 million, vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation has never been higher. As part of our series of podcasts exploring the financial crime, human trafficking and modern slavery nexus, we talk to Jonathan Bell, Partner at RedCompass Labs, about the recently launched anti-slavery digital learning tool, and the RedFlag Accelerator, both of which can help financial services tackle this terrible trade in human beings. Listen here and find out how you can take action to fight modern slavery and human trafficking.