About us
What we do
DLA Piper is working with TOKO to solve the inefficiencies of today’s capital markets by leveraging distributed ledger technology.
TOKO is a digital asset creation platform that couples the compliance and regulatory rigor of a global law firm with the innovative technology solutions of tomorrow. TOKO provides a platform for creating new markets and uses distributed ledger technology to disseminate market information and provide transparency.
Our purpose
Simplifying the complexities of the tokenisation journey so you can focus on changing your world.
Our mission
We digitize and distribute assets for our customers.
Our values
Courageous transformation
Simplifying the complex journey of tokenisation. Taking responsibility for the change needed in our industry, for the need for better opportunities for customers. Taking a curious growth mindset to constantly keep asking what’s next, what if? With a goal to impact the greater good.
Trustworthy transparency
An absolute, unbreakable commitment to being better than others before. To provide the assurance and certainty the industry deserves through trusted data and legally robust compliance. And a commitment to ethical alignment of owners and investors.
Sustainable value
To deliver not the ‘get quick’ rich culture of the past for the few - but rather a new more sustainable approach to creating better value for the many. Consistent win-win value creation for all, aligning more owners and assets creators than ever before.
Focused effectiveness
We believe that trying to be everything to everyone, wearing every hat, chasing every shiny dream is wrong. We’re focused on moving faster than anyone, bringing innovation to life. With clarity of priorities, of roles, conviction in our tasks and outcomes - clearly communicated with respect. When we do it, we do it right.
Enabling freedom
Virtual assets are our religion. We believe in the critical opportunity of enabling the financial services creator economy - so everyone around us can change their world. Creating freedom by enabling future finance dreamers, unlocking or increasing the value of virtual assets. Opening up new possibilities, and simplifying through a one stop shop platform.
The team
Scott Thiel
CEO, Founder
Advises clients around the world on all aspects of tokenisation and its application in digital capital markets. Formerly Asia Head of DLA Piper’s Global Tech & FinTech sector and leader within DLA Piper’s “Blockchain and Digital Assets” practice group; also the firm’s representative on the Hedera Hashgraph Governing Council – a next generation public distributed ledger technology (DLT) infrastructure, the HBAR Foundation and Blockchain Think Lab. In March 2022, Scott supported DLA Piper with TOKO service offerings and has successfully helped to secure the appointment as the exclusive legal service provider for the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), an authority that is linked to the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA).
Ilya, Shkapo
CTO
Ilya is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in designing robust, scalable, and secure systems. Combining his blockchain know-how with cutting-edge financial insights, he’s reshaping traditional FinTech. As a key senior manager, Ilya crafts advanced blockchain financial solutions and compliance platforms. Partnering with major global banks, he’s spearheading the shift from conventional systems to dynamic digital asset integration. Ilya has patented multiple technologies focused on compliance and regulated asset interoperability.
Tim Popplewell
CFO / COO
A 30-year corporate career with CFO/COO roles spanning over 60 countries and as many as 35,000 staff. A certified Strengths Coach and Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Chartered Accountant, Tim has worked in businesses of all sizes, raised funds on numerous occasions and has led the purchase and sale of businesses valued at well in excess of $1bn. Tim has developed blockchain solutions and invested in the web3 space for many years, and is also a Hedera Fellow.
Jim Holding
Director
Jim is the Managing Director of DLA Piper’s incubator vehicle Aldersgate Holding Company (wholly owned by DLA Piper), responsible for the development of innovative solutions for DLA Piper clients. He is the Director of TOKO Limited, Aldersgate Funding Limited, Aiscension.AI Limited, DLA Piper Business Advisory Pty Ltd, and Enter Agora Limited.
Matt Blom
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
Serial entrepreneur with over 27 years of senior management experience in the financial markets across UK, UAE and China. He had built a global private social media app, globally regulated and Nasdaq listed Digital Asset business, created one of the UK’s most successful proprietary Trading Companies. Being an advisor to multiple technology and Web3 start-ups, he has regular guest appearances as a crypto market specialist on Dubai Eye and Dubai One & CNBC Arabia. He is also a former DFSA Registered Executive Officer.
Ian Jebbitt
Director of TOKO Labs
An International Intellectual Property and Branding lawyer for DLA Piper, the world’s largest law firm, for over 10 years having acted for large brands such as Heineken, Bacardi and McDonald’s in respect to IP protection, enforcement and franchising. He is also a Founder and Non-Executive Chairman of International Craft Beer Brand “Gweilo”.
Michelle Lee
Chief of Staff
Leading the internal operations of TOKO, also the firm’s representative as Transaction Signer appointed by the Board of Hedera Hashgraph. Over 6 years of experience working with senior management and executives in international law firms and professional services from APAC, UAE, EU and the US.
Julien Hamonic
Delivery Executive
Julien is Delivery Executive for TOKO tokenisation client engagements, working with internal teams (Technology, Compliance, Business) towards Programs and Projects execution, to coordinate program activities and identify business and technology opportunities that advance the TOKO ecosystem.
Former internal auditor and management consultant, Julien has extensive experience leading cross-functional teams to drive business and digital transformation within global financial services groups across Europe and APAC.
Vicky Lio
Delivery Executive
Vicky is Delivery Executive for TOKO tokenisation client engagements, working with internal teams (Technology, Compliance, Business) towards Programs and Projects execution, to coordinate program activities and identify business and technology opportunities that advance the TOKO ecosystem.
Entrepreneur and business leader with 15+ experience in SaaS and enterprise technology, guiding leaders across diverse industries and geographies to transform, grow, and scale. Customers include Medtronic, Air Canada, UOB, Sime Darby, and Globe. In her “past lives,” she has also acquired broad functional experiences through roles ranging from financial controller in a global multi-national corporation to business development and product strategy in startups. Vicky has led and developed teams in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Eleonora Odorizzi
Product Executive
Eleonora is a leader with a proven track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams in the delivery of innovative products. With extensive experience overseeing the creation of product roadmaps and effectively reporting strategic initiatives to stakeholders across diverse teams in APAC and EMEA, she has a demonstrated ability to drive business growth and achieve goals.
Eleonora has led the development of products for startups and unicorn companies across multiple sectors, including web3 and blockchain, live streaming audio/video conferencing applications, data analytics, and e-commerce. Her passion for combining technical expertise with strategic vision has led to the successful delivery of cutting-edge solutions that meet customer needs and exceed expectations.
Lawton Hogan
Product Executive
Lawton Hogan is a product leader adept at working with cross-functional teams to deliver customer-focused solutions while achieving business goals. Passionate about fostering collaboration between businesses, customers, and developers, Lawton cultivates an environment of innovation and continuous improvement. His experience spans startups and large enterprises in product development, customer success, and sales roles, enabling him to seamlessly bridge the gap between diverse stakeholders and drive organisational success.
Sarah Locke
Business Development, Marketing & Communications
Sarah is a Marketing Communications specialist with over 20 years of diverse experience in leading Agency and MarComms teams within blue chip companies and Government entities across the UK, Middle Eastern and Australasian markets.
Sarah has a passion for enabling creativity within people and companies that creates lasting change for good. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Media Studies and Education from Massey University New Zealand, is a member of the Association for Coaching and a 2B limitless certified performance and executive coach.
Michael Mingee
Compliance Officer (CO), Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO),Head of Risk
A 25+-year payments veteran, with over a decade of regulatory compliance and financial crime experience globally, Michael joins TOKO as the Chief Compliance Officer. Formerly, head of regulatory compliance regionally with Visa, First Data, and crypto.com, Michael has been a FinTech and blockchain/distributed ledger technology advocate for many years. A West Point graduate, he is keen to build the digital asset tokenisation industry ethically as a trusted digital capital markets provider worldwide.
Yasser Ali
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Data Protection Officer (DPO)
A Cybersecurity Professional with extensive experience in providing consultancy, training and advisory services to enterprises on implementing Cybersecurity best practices, Policies and Risk Management. Red Teaming and Infrastructure Protection; Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment, Web and Mobile applications security assessment.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper is one of the leading global law firms advising clients on all aspects of the fintech sector on everything from new fintech platforms to disruptive fintech models and the protection of technology driven products.
DLA Piper's Blockchain and Digital Assets group offers strategic advice to address the needs of companies implementing blockchain technology solutions and creating and deploying digital assets.
To learn more about DLA Piper, visit dlapiper.com.
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