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Michele G. Porfido is a consultant with over 40 years of professional experience, offering a diverse range of services. These include financial portfolio analysis and construction, family asset restructuring, corporate support, and generational transitions.
His international expertise allows him to assist with complex cross-border situations, providing customised solutions tailored to client needs.
He holds several certifications, particularly in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, and specialises in both Islamic and Catholic finance. Additionally, he is recognised as an expert in the Blue Economy.
Michele collaborates with universities and trade associations and contributes to specialised journals through his writing.
In terms of leadership and advocacy, Michele is a member of various associations. His involvement in cultural and community-based organisations, along with his responsibility for international humanitarian projects, has fostered a philanthropic sensibility that he applies professionally to his clients.
He also serves on the boards of several foundations, where he is engaged in governance, fundraising, and asset management.
Ugo Tanda is a senior lawyer with over 25 years of professional experience, providing legal services that span corporate and commercial law, private client work, and family law.
He is recognised for his specialist expertise in advising
Italian clients on English law matters, with a particular focus on international divorce proceedings and cross-border probate cases.
This unique cross-jurisdictional capability enables him to navigate complex legal frameworks, cultural contexts, and procedural requirements, providing tailored solutions to clients with international legal needs. Ugo holds an LL.M. in Information Technology, Media, and E-Commerce from the University of Essex.
Leadership and Advocacy
Alongside his legal practice, Ugo serves as President of the Sardinian Centre of PEN International, a globally respected NGO dedicated to protecting freedom of expression. In this role, he has:
He is also the Chair of Trustees of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
The Belforte Foundation, focused on animal welfare. His work in this field includes governance oversight, fundraising strategy, and ensuring compliance with charity law and regulatory requirements.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Finance and technology professional with over a decade of experience spanning banking and asset management, technology, and public policy.
Proven track record dealing with Members of Parliament, public bodies, investors, academics and startups on finance and technology markets, regulation, innovation and sustainability.
Former technology-sector executive with significant skills in stakeholder engagement and delivery. Recognized communicator connecting financial markets and policy to drive sustainable growth.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
House of Commons: Senior Researcher on business and financial services DLT Science Founda Cudo Ventures: Head of Growth
Suade Labs: Technical Account Manager PIMCO: Account Management Associate BNP Paribas: Origination Analyst
EDUCATION
1973 – Qualified as Chartered Accountant in England and Wales
1973 TO 1977 ~ Price Waterhouse – London, Cleveiand Ohio and Torino Italy
1978 to 1979 – AMP INC – European Internal Auditor
1980 to 1981 – Accountant for Rezayat Europe Limited
1982 to 2023 – Sole practitioner
2002 to 2013 – Finance Director – Namibian Resources pic – AlM quoted company.
2023 to date -n consultant specialising in Cross Border tax issues and tax consultancy
Hobbles – Skiing,classic cars and tennis
A Chartered Accountant (ICAEW), with extensive experience in tax, accounting, and corporate advisory services for entrepreneurs and companies operating between the United Kingdom and Italy.
He is the Director of Winglets Business Solution Ltd, a London-based chartered accountant firm specialising in cross-border assistance.
He supports companies in tax planning and the development of strategic and financial business plans, with an approach that combines economic analysis, entrepreneurial vision, and knowledge of international markets.
Passionate about aviation and holding a pilot’s license, he has developed a long-standing interest in the aeronautical sector, gaining a deep understanding of its key economic and management dynamics.
Árni M. Mathiesen is born in Iceland on 02.10.1958.
BVM&S, Veterinary qualifications, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Scotland 1983.
M.Sc. Aquatic Veterinary Science/Aquatic Pathobiology, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Scotland 1985.
General veterinary practice in various parts of Iceland 1983-1985.
Veterinary Officer for Fish Diseases in Iceland 1985-1991.
Managing Director Faxalax Fish Farm 1988-1989.
Member of the Icelandic Parliament, the Althingi, 1991-2009.
Minister of Fisheries 1999-2005.
Minister of Finance 2005-2009.
Assistant Director General at FAO in Rome and Head of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department 2010-2020.
Chairman of the Board, Transport for the Capital Area Plc. 2020 to 2024 date.
Senior Advisor at Iceland Ocean Cluster 2020 to date.
Member of the Board of Directors GSA 2021 to date.
Independent Chair Global Round Table on Marine Ingredients 2021 to date.
Founding Member and Member of the Board of Directors Iceland Aquaculture and Oceans Forum 2022 to date.
Full Professor of Zoology and Marine Biology with over twenty years of experience in teaching, research, and academic governance in Marine Sciences.
Since 2001, he has taught undergraduate and PhD courses in Zoology, Applied Zoology, and Experimental Marine Ecology. Since 2017, he has been responsible for General Zoology and Marine Biology courses at the University of Trieste. He has supervised 80 MSc students, 120 PhD candidates, and 12 postdoctoral researchers from Italy and abroad.
He has held several academic leadership roles, including Vice-Coordinator of the PhD program “Environment and Life” at the University of Trieste (2017–2021) and Director of the Department of Integrative Marine Ecology at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples (2021–2025). He currently leads the Marine Biology Laboratory at the University of Trieste.
He has been invited to give scientific seminars at numerous Italian and international universities and research institutions, including Bologna, Palermo, Naples, Trieste, CNR, as well as during research stays at the University of Auckland (New Zealand) and the University of Oslo (Norway). He has organized four international courses on statistics for the design and analysis of biological experiments and multivariate methods for ecologists.
He is actively involved in scientific publishing as a reviewer for 31 ISI journals and serves on the editorial boards of The European Zoological Journal, Microplastics, and Frontiers in Marine Science. He is also a reviewer for national and international research funding agencies.
He is a member of the Executive Board of the Italian Society of Marine Biology (SIBM). He served as an ANVUR expert (GEV 5 – Biology) for the national research assessment exercises VQR 2011–2014 and 2014–2017. He is currently President of the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) Committee for the disciplinary sector BIO/05 – Zoology.
Melanie Siggs has worked in global strategic roles for both commercial and NGO organisations across the food systems and timber sectors, She has specialised in fisheries and aquaculture over the past 20 years.
Named by Intrafish as one of the Women Shaping the Future of Seafood (2025) she is currently Strategic Engagement Director of the Global Seafood Alliance, Chair of Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability, a non-Executive Director of CEFAS (UK HMG), and an Ambassador to the Iceland Ocean Cluster. Previously Melanie was a Project Advisor to the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Program for nearly 8 years and a Special Adviser to HRH The Prince of Wales’ International Sustainability Unit.
She is an Honorary Professor of the Heriot Watt University, Scotland, and holds an MSc in Responsibility & Business Practice.
