AES Open Day (Melbourne) - Speakers

Ashley Bell

Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy and Programs, Department of Home Affairs

Ashley Bell is the Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy and Programs in the Department of Home Affairs, responsible for the development of whole-of-government cyber security policy, program and legislative measures. This includes leading the coordination and implementation of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, and overseeing the delivery of initiatives related to security by design for the Internet of Things (IoT), threat sharing and blocking, ransomware and supporting a more cyber secure whole-of-economy through work with industry, small business and the community.

Ashley has spent his career in the Australian Public Service, working primarily in the Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office. In Treasury, Ashley worked across a range of policy areas including taxation (domestic and international), deregulation, small business, the not-for-profit sector, corporate regulation and the financial system. In 2016, Ashley was posted to New Delhi as Minister-Counsellor (Economic) and the Senior Treasury Representative in the Australian High Commission. Ashley has also previously worked in the Australian National University, teaching undergraduate and post-graduate classes on corporations and insolvency law. Ashley holds a Master of Laws from QUT and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce from Griffith University.

Riaz Hussain

Head of Security Standards & Transformation | AusPayNet

Riaz Hussain is Head of Security Standards & Transformation at Australian Payments Network (AusPayNet). He is responsible for security standards, frameworks, and policies for payments, including sponsorship of industry-wide programmes.

Riaz has more than 30 years’ experience in technology leadership across financial services in the Asia Pacific, Europe, and United States. He holds an Masters Degree of Science from Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Mark Williams

AES Migration Program Engagement and Change Lead | AusPayNet

Mark Williams is the AES Migration Program Engagement and Change Lead. He has 30 years of experience in leading change, ranging from systemic innovation and new service development through to technology modernisation and digital venturing.. Mark has broad experience in the payments system landscape including deep knowledge of the regulatory environment and is passionate about industry-wide systemic change and innovation. Prior to this role, he was the Chief Strategy Officer at BPAY Group, responsible for its long-term and sustainable growth including Osko, the first overlay service on the New Payments Platform.