Conference
OPTIC 2026
Reimagining Europe's Capital Markets
19 - 20 October 2026
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Hilton London Bankside, London, United KingdomDay 1 - Monday, 19 October 2026
08:15
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Welcome registration and refreshments
09:15
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09:30Opening remarks
April DayManaging Director, Head of Capital MarketsAFME
Panel discussion
09:30
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10:30The View from the Top: Perspectives from industry leaders
Overview
- How can capital markets help address Europe’s financing gap? What changes are needed to boost growth and competitiveness?
- Are geopolitical trends changing European firms’ approach from “global” to “local”?
- How are new technologies being deployed to deliver transformation?
Adriana EnnabGlobal Head of Policy & RegulationGlobal Digital Finance
Francisco BejarHead of CustodySIX
Jean-Jacques BarberisDeputy CEO - Coverage and Digital AssetsCACEIS
Katie HarriesDirector and Head of Europe PolicyCoinbase
Sam RileyChief Executive OfficerClearstream Securities Services
Val WottonManaging Director, Global Head of Equities SolutionsDTCC
10:30
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Networking break
Track AFireside discussion
11:00
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11:30Chris Cox, Global Head of Investor Services at Citi
Adam FarkasCEOAFME
Chris CoxHead of Investor ServicesCiti
Track APanel discussion
11:30
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12:15Everything you need to know about the EU Market Integration Package
Overview
- What are the key objectives and proposals in the MIP and where are we in the legislative process?
- Do the proposals go far enough to deliver the Commission’s SIU strategy?
- How does the MIP fit in with broader EU objectives to facilitate the use of DLT-based assets and systems?
Ayesha GhafoorSenior Vice President Public Policy and Government AffairsBNY
Alex DockxExecutive Director Industry DevelopmentJP Morgan
Britta WoernleDirector, Head of Market Advocacy Europe, Trust and Securities ServicesDeutsche Bank
Jennifer RobertsonHead of UnitEuropean Commission
Patrice AguesseDirector, Head of Market Policy DivisionAMF
Track APanel discussion
12:15
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13:00DLT Adoption - Are we Approaching Institutional Mainstreaming?
Overview
- DLT adoption is moving beyond a handful of use cases. Is DLT becoming a driver for institutional banking strategy going forward?
- Which asset classes / markets are most impacted by the move on-chain?
- What are the key barriers (market, legal/policy, technological) to moving to DLT-based capital markets?
Coco ChenAssociate Director, Technology and OperationsAFME
Christoph HockHead of Tokenisation & Digital Assets, DLT Transformation LeadUnion Investment
Pallavi ThakurGlobal Head of Industry Engagement for Payments and FXSwift
Sid UlkerCounselAshurst
Varun PaulSenior Director of Financial MarketsFireblocks
13:00
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Networking lunch
Track BPanel discussion
12:15
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13:00Asset Servicing in Focus: Challenges and Opportunities
Overview
- What impacts does T+1 have on Corporate Actions?
- How can we digitalise the asset servicing workflow?
- SRD II – what is next? Will we get a revised Directive or Regulation?
- Market Standards – What is the Single Rule Book for Europe?
Michael CollierGlobal Head of Asset Services, Product Management, Securities ServicesJ.P. Morgan
Mariangela FumagalliHead of Asset Servicing Global Product and Regulatory SolutionsBNP Paribas
Richard NichollsVice President – Head of Asset Services London / UK Accelerated Settlement Taskforce – Corporate Actions LeadMorgan Stanley
Serkan YagciManaging Directorx-markets consulting
Track BLunch & Learn
13:00
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14:15Beyond Fragmentation: Integrating Settlement, Collateral, Payments and Financing
Overview
- Why fragmentation continues to constrain efficiency, liquidity and growth
- The defining characteristics of an integrated post-trade operating model
- How tighter integration between settlement, collateral, payments and financing can improve operational outcomes
- Practical examples of how integrated operating models can enhance collateral mobility and settlement efficiency
- The implications of T+1, regulatory change and expanding market access requirements for post-trade infrastructure
- Questions firms should be asking as they evaluate their own operating models
Greig RamsayInternational Head of Client Coverage for Global Clearing and Global CollateralBNY
Matthew StegglesDirector, Product, Global ClearingBNY
Neale KelleherClient Executive, Clearance & Collateral ManagementBNY
Track CSession by invitation only
11:00
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13:00Future Leaders Workshop
Joanna ConlonConsultant and FounderLight Consulting
Presentation
14:15
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14:45Navigating geopolitical risk
Overview
- Europe’s place in the new global order
- The impact of AI and other new technologies
- How should global banks navigate geopolitical uncertainty
Neil ShearingGroup Chief EconomistCapital Economics
Track ADebate it out!
14:45
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15:30"This House would trust Claude to manage its settlement fails"
Overview
- A lively debate style format where participants battle it out to win over the audience in a vote.
- Chatham House Rules apply.
Peter TomlinsonManaging Director, Equities Trading and Post TradeAFME
Kerril BurkeCEOPayRecAI
Niamh KingsleyCEO & Founder at ace, Chief Technology Officer at G MASS
Rebecca HealeyManaging PartnerRedlap Consulting Ltd
Thomas DanielsIndustry Expert - Post-TradeDigital & Data
Track BFireside discussion
14:45
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15:30The US in Focus: Key Developments in US markets
Overview
- What are the main policy initiatives in-flight is US capital markets?
- What does 23/5 trading mean for operations teams?
- Can the industry support the current pace of change in digital assets policy?
Sachin MohindraExecutive Director, Global Banking & Markets, Market SolutionsGoldman Sachs
Adrian WhelanGlobal Head of Market IntelligenceBrown Brothers Harriman
Kyle EdwardsVP, Public Policycboe
15:30
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Networking coffee break
Fireside discussion
16:00
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16:30with Lord Ed Vaizey, Co-Chair of UK APPG on Crypto and Digital Assets
Ed VaizeyCo-Chair of UK APPG on Crypto and Digital Assets
Matthew HarleyAssociate Director, UK AdvocacyAFME
Panel discussion
16:30
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17:15The evolution of financial market infrastructure: opportunities and challenges
Overview
- With continued scrutiny on infrastructure fragmentation, what does the ideal future model look like for Europe?
- How can we achieve truly integrated and interoperable post-trade ecosystem, and improve capital mobility and liquidity?
- How are firms balancing the opportunities of new technology with the need to ensure continuity and resilience?
Michael HughesHead of Capital Markets Business ConsultingCapgemini
Camille PapillardDeputy Head of Financial Intermediaries and Corporates Client LineBNP Paribas
Jerome BlaisHead of European ExpansionEuronext Securities
Marcus AustinHead of Sales & Relationship Management, US, UK, NordicsClearstream
Victor O'LaughlenExecutive Platform OwnerBNY Global Clearing
17:15
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17:30/
Closing remarks
17:30
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Drinks Reception at the Distillery
Day 2 - Tuesday, 20 October 2026
08:00
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Welcome registration
Track BRegistration required
08:00
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09:00Women of OPTIC breakfast
Overview
- An invitation-only breakfast for the Women of OPTIC and allies.
09:00
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09:15Opening remarks
James KempManaging Director, Technology & OperationsAFME
Fireside discussion
09:15
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09:45Christopher Woolard CBE, Wholesale Digital Markets Champion
Christopher Woolard CBEWholesale Digital Markets Champion
James KempManaging Director, Technology & OperationsAFME
Track APanel discussion
09:45
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10:3012 Months to T+1 – will we be ready?
Overview
- How are firms preparations for T+1 going? Are there any major implementation challenges foreseen?
- What is the role of regulators in supporting the transition, and what do they expect from the industry?
- Is there enough awareness? Which parts of the market might be lagging behind?
Andrew DouglasChairUK Accelerated Settlement Taskforce
Aerron ReynoldsBusiness Consulting Associate DirectorDTCC
Daniel CarpenterChief Executive OfficerMeritsoft (a Cognizant company)
Heather PilleyTechnical SpecialistFinancial Conduct Authority
Marie-France DessertenneGlobal T+1 Program ManagerBNP Paribas
Track B
09:45
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10:30DLT Sandbox Regimes - Insights from Participants on Where We are Now And What Comes Next
Overview
- Innovation in trading and settlement models
- Recent market developments, including new products and volumes
- Views on commercial scalability and ecosystem adoption
- Regulatory process
Coco ChenAssociate Director, Technology and OperationsAFME
Amparo Garcia FloresCEOSecuritize
Mark KepeneghianCEOLISE SA
Martin WatkinsChief Executive OfficerMontis Digital
Niki BeattieChairCleartoken
10:30
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Networking Break
Track APanel discussion
11:00
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11:45Using AI to Transform Post Trade
Overview
- Reimagining post-trade processes
- Deploying & managing AI agents
- Evaluating ROI
- Impact on skills and the talent pipeline
Coen ter Wal
Declan MarriottHead of Markets and Treasury OperationsLloyds Banking Group
Gopala SubramaniumCEONOVA CMX
Remi LaganeHead of EMEA presales for Trading, Investment Management, Securities Finance, Operations and FinanceMurex
Ruth McMasterGlobal Head of Investment Banking Operations and Cross Product OperationsDeutsche Bank
Track APanel discussion
11:45
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12:30Equities Clearing: Implementation, innovation, and interoperability
Overview
- How are CCPs and their users managing regulatory change? What are upcoming priorities?
- Will proposed changes to open access provisions unlock further competition and efficiency, or is more ambition needed?
- Is there scope to expand central clearing into new transaction flows and asset types?
Martyn NottGlobal Head, Network ManagementBank of America
Cate GrantGlobal Head of Market SolutionsGoldman Sachs
Corina ScottHead Clearing Product & Business DevelopmentSIX
Tim BeckwithHead of Commercial & Business DevelopmentCboe Clear
12:30
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Networking lunch
Track BPanel discussion
11:00
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11:45Digital Currencies in Focus: Pathways towards a DLT-based Multi-Money world
Overview
- How do different DLT-based money solutions serve wholesale markets? Are they complementary or could they pose risks of fragmentation?
- What are outstanding barriers to a “multi-money” world?
Keith BearFellow, Centre for Alternative FinanceUniversity of Cambridge
Austin ElwoodDigital Assets Industry LeadNatWest
Dirk BullmannManaging Director, Public Policy, Strategy and Innovation, CEO OfficeCLS
Etay KatzHead of Digital Assets and Financial Innovation and Senior Partner in Financial Regulation PracticeAshurst
Polina EvstifeevaDigital Assets Solutions, VPState Street
Track BAsk the experts
11:45
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12:30T+1 in Europe - Ask the Experts
Overview
- Interactive discussion with UK and EU industry leaders, with an opportunity to put your questions directly to them.
- What are the next major project milestones? What should firms be concentrating on?
Mikko OlliAssociate Director, Post TradeAFME
Emma JohnsonHead of Industry Advocacy & InsightThe ValueExchange
John SienaAssociate General Counsel, Co-Head of Regulatory StrategyBrown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Marcello TopaDirector, Global Head of Advocacy, Investor ServicesCiti
Tony HollandDirector - Market PracticeISLA
Track BLunch & Learn
12:30
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13:30Exception Management under T+1 with NOVA CMX
Overview
- Why the overnight exception-resolution buffer disappears under T+1, and what replaces it
- Shifting from reactive to preventive exception management
- Where exceptions originate
- How CSDR cash penalties change the financial stakes of every unresolved exception
- Managing the hard cases: securities financing, FX timing gaps, and cross-border flows under compressed settlement cycles
- and, briefly address the December 2026 deadline for build - and move to the testing phase
Gopala SubramaniumCEONOVA CMX
Tamsin DaviesExecutive Director, Global Custody Settlements & Strategic TransformationJ.P. Morgan
Ask Me Anything
13:30
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13:55Sasha Mills, Bank of England
Overview
- A candid, open Q&A session with a senior industry leader or policy maker.
Sasha MillsExecutive Director of Financial Market InfrastructureBank of England
Panel discussion
13:55
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14:45Banks’ Operations in 2030
Overview
- How should banks be adapting their operations to ensure they can compete with new industry players in the years to come?
- How critical is the roll out of New Tech as part of this broader transformation, and which types of New Tech will have the biggest impact?
- Does AI deployment create tensions across business lines and with clients and counterparties?
- To what extent is the evolution of Operations driven by Regulation vs commercial factors?
Marcus CorryDirector, Technology and OperationsAFME
Aileen McCormackHead of OperationsBarclays Europe
Nigel CobbHead of Process Engineering, Market OperationsCiti
Stephen MartinHead of Financial Services Compliance and Security for EMEA and APACAWS
Tiina WinnanHead of Equity Distribution OperationsDeutsche Bank
Fireside discussion
14:45
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15:20Audrey Metzger, Banque de France
Audrey MetzgerDirector of Innovation and Financial Markets Infrastructures DirectorateBanque de France
Sabine DittrichHead of Government and Regulatory Policy and Relations, Europe | PPCRBarclays
15:20
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15:30/
Closing remarks
15:30
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Networking drinks
Event is now Closed
Date19 - 20 October 2026
Time09:00 - 16:00
LocationHilton London Bankside, 2-8 Great Suffolk St, London, SE1 0UG, London, United KingdomShow on map
Learn more about membership here.
All registrations are subject to AFME approval.
Who Attends
- Heads of post trade
- Investors
- COOs
- Market structure specialists
- Regulators
- Policymakers
- Clearing and settlement houses
- Law firms
- Consultancies
- Trading platforms and technology providers
- Financial associations
- AFME members
- Investment banks
- European supervisory authorities
- National competent authorities
- Clearing and settlement houses
- Exchanges
- Asset managers
- Technology providers
- Professional services
- Fintech start-ups
Why Attend
- Hear keynote speeches from global industry, technology and regulatory leaders
- 70+ leading speakers representing global banks, service providers, policymakers and regulators
- Network with a European audience of over 350 senior registrants
- Over ten hours of dedicated networking in the exhibition space
- Exclusive content delivered over three half days of high-level debate and discussion.
- Content designed and driven by market participants
Event Statistics
- 70 +Speakers
- 300 +Attendees
- 16 hoursNetworking
- 99 %Delegates likely to return
Sponsors
