Communications Policy & Regulation Week 2026

Camilla Bustani is Director, international at Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, where she oversees Ofcom’s programme of international engagement and activities in Europe and beyond. She has been actively engaged in the work of European and regional regulatory networks (including BEREC, ERGA and EPRA), and was involved in several EU legislative negotiations in the sectors Ofcom regulates. Ms Bustani has participated in a number of regulatory debates in communications sectors over the last 15 years, most recently around online regulation and the interaction between the different regulatory regimes that might be implicated. She has written on regulatory reform in developing countries and on the impact of institutional design on forms of regulatory cooperation.

Prior to joining Ofcom in 2006, Ms Bustani worked as a lawyer at Clifford Chance LLP in London for 8 years.

She obtained her bachelors’ degree from Harvard University, a masters’ degree from SIPA at Columbia University, and a law degree from Oxford University.

Charles Chew has over 25 years of experience in Government Affairs, with the last 10 focusing on policy and regulatory issues in the telecommunications and ICT sectors. Prior to joining Nokia, Charles was the Policy Director APAC at the GSMA.

His previous experience also included roles in the Singapore government, the last appointment being Director (International) at the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), where he was involved in Telecommunications, ICT, Internet and Digital Economy issues.

Bio coming soon…

Chris Woolford is Ofcom’s Director of International Spectrum Policy where his responsibilities cover the UK’s international spectrum interests, especially in relation to the ITU, CEPT and EU. He has closely engaged for the UK on a number of key European regulatory initiatives in the field of electronic communications and participates in many European spectrum groups. He leads UK engagement with the ITU and led the UK delegations to WRCs in 2019, 2015 and 2012. He is currently preparing to lead the UK delegation to WRC-23.

In 2019 Mr Woolford took on the role of Chairman of the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of CEPT and was re-elected for a second term in 2022. He has also been a Director of the International Institute of Communications since 2018.

Mr Woolford has 25 years’ experience of working on spectrum and communications regulation, both at Ofcom and its predecessor (Oftel). He has a degree in mathematics and statistics from Manchester University.

Darren manages the public policy efforts for Amazon consumer business units such as e-commerce exports (i.e. Amazon Global Selling), digital services (e.g. Prime Video, Leo), and devices. He works across various APAC countries, particularly Southeast Asia and selected countries/territories in Northeast Asia.

Prior to Amazon, he was a pioneer member of Netflix’s APAC team and helped to build their public policy strategy in the region. He started his career in Singapore’s Ministry of Education as a policy analyst focusing on educational technology issues before moving to the Ministry of Trade and Industry where he managed Singapore’s bilateral trade relations with several countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Dr. Denny Setiawan graduated from Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB, 1994), majoring in Electronic Telecommunication Engineering, MSc of Telecommunication Engineering from University of Indonesia in 1999, and Doctor of Engineering from University of Indonesia in February 2013.

Since joining the Directorate General of Pos & Telecommunication in 1995, Dr. Setiawan has participated in many international conferences in Radio Communications, coordinating satellite orbits and frequencies bilaterally and internationally through ITU, and other regional and international telecommunication activities.

Dr. Setiawan has also involved in Spectrum Reform in Indonesia such as successfully conducted series of spectrum auctions since year 2006, spectrum refarming of Mobile Broadband, Analog TV Switchoff (ASO), masterplan spectrum Digital TV and FM and Digital radios.

Presently Dr. Setiawan is leading the Directorate of Strategy and Policy of Digital Infrastructure in charge of the strategic policy and planning of Digital Infrastructure covers of submarine cable, inland Fiber optics, smart city, Data Center, telecommunication policy and regulation, tariff, competition, interconnection, regulatory charges policy including incentives and spectrum auction.

Nabiha has over a decade’s experience at the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) and currently heads its Competition Economics Division. She has led MyCC’s market review on the digital economy ecosystem and contributes economic analysis to ongoing assessments and enforcement cases.

Her work supports evidence-based competition policy, particularly in understanding market dynamics, competitive constraints, and emerging issues in digital markets. Drawing on experience across MyCC’s Economics, Investigation and Enforcement, and Legal Divisions, Nabiha brings a practical perspective on how competition authorities can use market reviews, advocacy and enforcement tools to promote fair and competitive digital markets.

Isolde Goggin has over twenty years experience working at the highest level in telecommunications regulation, competition policy and consumer protection. She was chairperson of Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from 2014 to 2021 and, prior to that, chaired one of its predecessor bodies, the Competition Authority, from 2011 to 2014. She was a commissioner of ComReg, the Irish Commission for Communications Regulation, from 2002 to 2006, and chairperson from 2004 to 2006. From 1996 to 2002 she was a member of the Competition Authority.

Isolde’s involvement in the telecommunications sector dates back to 1980 when, after qualifying with an engineering degree from Trinity College, Dublin, she joined the incumbent telecommunications operator. She completed a masters in business administration at University College, Dublin, in 1988, and subsequently moved to an advisory role in the European Commission, working on satellite policy. She also worked for the Swedish telecommunications manufacturer Ericsson for several years.

Isolde has represented Ireland in many international fora, including the European and International Competition Networks, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, the EU’s Radio Spectrum Policy Group, the European Consumer Protection Co-operation Network and the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network. She has provided advice to government on spectrum policy, next generation networks, data protection and online safety.

Isolde is an honorary life member and fellow of Engineers Ireland, a chartered engineer and member of the IET. She is also a member of the board of Trinity College, Dublin, and of the Central Bank of Ireland’s consumer advisory group. Reflecting a lifelong interest in the classics, she gained a BA in the subject from the Open University in 2021, and a masters from Trinity College Dublin in 2023. She is also a keen open water swimmer and last summer combined the two interests by participating in the 6.5 km Bosphorus Cross-Continental Race in Istanbul.

Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.

Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.

Alhafidz Yahya is an Aerospace Engineer and a Certified AI Practitioner, specializing in Computer Vision systems. He currently serves as the Director of Innovation at the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO), an organization under the Ministry of Digital, where his work focuses on accelerating AI technology adoption in Malaysia. He is also responsible for fostering cross-sector collaborations and promoting ethical technology development. Some of the projects he is currently spearheading at NAIO include enhancing Malaysia AI Sandbox, Overseeing the development of a Sovereign AI system, and establishing AI Clusters across different domains. Alhafidz holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University, USA.

Nathalie Théberge has over 20 years of public policy experience supporting and promoting Canada’s creative industries. Prior to joining the CRTC in April 2024, she was Vice-Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Board of Canada, an administrative tribunal which sets tariffs for the use of copyrighted content in both the analog and digital worlds. Over the course of her career, she held several executive positions at the Department of Canadian Heritage, where she led negotiations on culture and copyright in several major international trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Canada-US-Mexico free trade agreement, as well as bilateral agreements with South Korea, Japan, and the European Union. Ms Théberge represented Canada on several committees at the World Intellectual Property Organisation, UNESCO and La Francophonie, led the International Network for Cultural Policy, and was Canada’s national contact point for the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for almost a decade. She is an experienced adjudicator in the area of copyright and broadcasting, and a certified corporate director.

Nerida O’Loughlin was appointed Chair and Agency Head of the Australian Communications and Media Authority from 14 October 2017, initially for five years. Nerida has since been reappointed until 13 October 2027.

Prior to joining the ACMA, Nerida was Deputy Secretary in the Australian Department of Communications and the Arts providing policy advice across telecommunications, broadcasting, online content and the arts. Nerida has also been responsible for major projects in the communications portfolio, including leading the Digital Television Switchover Program. Over her career, Nerida has also held senior positions in the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, predominantly across the technology and cultural sectors.

Nerida is also an Associate Member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and has been reappointed until 13 October 2027.

In 2019, Nerida was awarded an Australian Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday honours for outstanding public service.

Nik Rizal brings more than three decades of experience spanning telecommunications, digital infrastructure, investments, capital markets, banking and corporate finance. His combination of telecommunications leadership, sovereign investment expertise, capital markets experience and board governance credentials enable him to contribute a broad strategic perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the global mobile and digital connectivity industry.

As Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad, Nik Rizal is responsible for driving the Group’s strategic direction, performance and long-term value creation across multiple high-growth markets in ASEAN and South Asia.

Prior to his appointment as Group Chief Executive Officer, Nik Rizal served as Group Chief Financial Officer of Axiata. The role provided extensive exposure to strategic investment, infrastructure financing, digital transformation, capital markets, regulatory engagement and cross-border business operations, equipping him with a holistic view of the issues shaping the future of the mobile and digital connectivity industry.

Before joining Axiata, Nik Rizal was Group Chief Financial Officer of RHB Banking Group, where he oversaw financial strategy, capital management, performance management and regulatory engagement across multiple markets.

Earlier, he spent a decade with Khazanah Nasional Berhad, holding senior investment leadership positions including Executive Director, Investments. He was responsible for investment and portfolio strategies across a broad range of sectors, including telecommunications, media and technology, and worked closely with leading regional companies on growth, transformation and value creation initiatives. As part of his governance responsibilities, he also served on the boards of Telekom Malaysia Berhad and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad.

Prior to Khazanah, Nik Rizal spent ten years with the Royal Dutch Shell Group in finance and strategy roles across Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Nik Rizal currently serves on the boards of several listed and operating companies across the Group, including CelcomDigi Berhad, PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, Robi Axiata PLC, EDOTCO Group Sdn Bhd, PT Link Net Tbk and Boost Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Through these appointments, he brings extensive board-level experience across telecommunications, digital infrastructure and digital financial services in diverse regulatory and market environments.

Nina Cummins is an EU antitrust and telecoms regulatory lawyer, with over 20 yrs’ multi-jurisdictional legal experience. She graduated from the University of Nottingham, England and Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) Germany, where she specialized in EU law. She has a Masters of Law degree in EU antitrust from RUB. She is admitted as a lawyer in England & Wales, Republic of Ireland, N. Ireland and Germany. She was a partner in international law firm Osborne Clarke, leading UK & EU telecoms regulatory issues. And also worked as senior legal and policy adviser at the Telecoms Regulatory Authority in Bahrain, dealing with complex strategic projects, legal separation of the incumbent fixed telecoms provider, as well as proposals to revise the prevailing communications sector regulatory framework.

Ms Cummins re-joined Facebook (now Meta) in Oct 2019  where she is a Policy Director and Head of Connectivity Strategy (Global),  covering a broad range of regulatory issues regarding OTT regulation and regulation of emerging technology, net neutrality rules, infrastructure and subsea cable projects, spectrum frameworks and accessibility.

Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). He was appointed early January 2022 by the Members of the Board, to assume the position, paving the way for a more effective regulatory framework by continuing the evolution of the telecom sector liberalization.

Mr Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives.

Before assuming his role at the TRA, Mr Marnick managed and directed at Ofcom in the UK, where he was the Group Director of Spectrum responsible for all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management – from strategy to delivery including awards, clearance and enforcement. Mr Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).

From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.

Rimini Haraya Makama is the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) of the Nigerian Communications Commission. She was confirmed to her position by the Nigerian Senate on 21st May 2024 following her nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on 23rd February 2024.

Ms Makama is an internationally experienced senior executive known for her talent in building trusted advisor relationships with governments. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation as a commercially minded and politically astute leader. Her significant contributions to transformational shifts in Africa were recognized in 2014 when she was named in the Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women Under 40 in Africa list.

Before assuming her current role in the Nigerian Communications Commission, Ms Makama played various roles at Microsoft from 2016 to 2023, notably as the Government Affairs Director for MEA Emerging Markets. In this capacity, she was instrumental in creating a policy landscape that facilitated the adoption of public cloud technology by the public sector in various markets across MEA. Her central role in defining a digital transformation framework for governments, placing Microsoft solutions at the forefront of public sector technology, stands out as a key achievement.

During her tenure at Microsoft, Ms Makama represented the company’s interests on the Digital Economy Task Force of the US Chamber of Commerce and the SMART Africa Alliance. She also became known for disseminating key messages on AI ethics, notably appearing as an AI policy expert speaker at the UNESCO Forum on Artificial Intelligence in 2018. Her efforts at Microsoft were acknowledged with the Be the Change Award, which celebrates extraordinary contributions.

Ms Makama’s career also includes a significant tenure with Africa Practice as Communications Director for West Africa. In this role, she successfully translated the strategic communication needs of major corporations such as Uber, PayPal, CNN, Google SSA, Bloomberg LP, Sage VIP, Actis West Africa, and The African Union into effective solutions, collaborating closely with high-level government stakeholders. Her work in positioning Blackberry in Nigeria is particularly noteworthy. Prior to africapractice she was Principal Legal Assistant, Office of Legal Affairs – International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in Lyon, France.

Additionally, Ms Makama has authored numerous articles on technology and AI themes for prominent media outlets such as The Guardian, Financial Times, and Punch etc.

Ms Makama holds an LLM in International Law and World Order from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, an LLB from the University of Jos, Nigeria and has been called to the Nigerian Bar. Non professional interest: film production (Executive Producer: Green White Green (TIFF 2016, Netflix 2017-2019, Amazon currently) & The Lost Okoroshi (TIFF 2019, BFI 2019 – Netflix Worldwide 2020-2022).

As Vice-President of Broadcasting, Scott Shortliffe works with a diverse and talented group to provide Canadians with a wide range of Canadian programming that displays Canadian talent and serves the interests of Canadians across the country. This includes analyzing emerging trends in broadcasting, providing solutions to Canadian broadcasters and distributors, and working with all part of the Commission.

Mr Shortliffe joined the CRTC in 2017 as Chief Consumer Officer. In this role, he served as a focal point in ensuring that the interests and concerns of consumers are considered in the Commission’s decision making.

Before joining the Commission, Mr Shortliffe spent 23 years at the Department of Canadian Heritage, including as Deputy Director General of Broadcasting and Digital Communications. As an executive, his duties included creating the Canada Periodical Fund and managing $75 million in grants and contributions, dealing with complex and sensitive ownership and control issues, advising senior officials and Ministers on issues related to CBC/Radio-Canada policy issues, the Canada Media Fund, and petitions to Cabinet of CRTC broadcasting licence decisions. From 2011 to 2017, Mr Shortliffe was an observer on the Board of Women in Communications and Technology Canada (WCT) and the Canadian Heritage champion for the Jeanne Sauvé Professional Development Program.

Mr Shortliffe has a Bachelors of History, Carleton University.

Sh. Abdulla Bin Humood Al Khalifa currently holds the position of Director of Consumer Affairs and Communications at Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), founded in 2002. With his vast experience, Sh. Abdulla plays a pivotal role in safeguarding consumer rights within the telecommunications industry. Throughout his recognized career, Sh. Abdulla engages with stakeholders and collaborates closely with service providers to create a more transparent telecoms environment for consumers. Sh. Abdulla has contributed to implementing a range of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of telecommunications services and ensuring consumer protection. He has directed impactful campaigns to raise awareness about consumer rights, educate the public on online safety and its implications, and establish effective mechanisms for handling consumer complaints.

Thabisa Faye serves as a Councillor the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, an executive director role she has held for the past 2yrs. Councillor Faye is a seasoned development economist who has practiced as an ICT economic regulatory expert within Sub-Saharan Africa for the past 14 years. Her experience includes, but not limited to: ICT regulatory analysis, economic advisory, renewable energies, trust management, strategic repositioning, public policy, governance and sustainability and project management. Councillor has contributed extensively to a wide range of projects in the Telecoms sector across the African continent, having worked in more than 23 African countries. She has also contributed to the renewable energy space in South as a socio-economic advisor, she further has managed reporting for six operating projects, and administered two Trusts.

Councillor has a long-standing working relationship with the International Telecommunications Union, the UN bureau for ICT, in her capacity as an expert in inclusive and collaborative regulation. Councillor Faye has contributed to the ITU body of knowledge extensively, such has developed a Universal Access Fund toolkit for the ITU, which has subsequently been converted into training modules for regulators in the Africa, Middle East, and Asia regions. Councillor also developed the first Regulatory Sandbox Framework for the African region, this was published by the ITU, and further work continues.

Councillor Faye is currently driving the implementation of a sandbox in the Authority, with the framework being implemented for emerging technologies and future innovations. Complementary to this work, CCouncillor Faye is Chairing the national IMT Forum which is charting the way for 5G and future technologies, as well as the Dynamic Spectrum Assignment and Opportunistic management project using a geolocation database. Furthermore, Councillor Faye is Chairing the satellite licensing framework to establish a licensing and pricing regime that would enable the growth of satellite connectivity direct to end users.

In addition to her career aspirations, Councillor Faye is a founding member of a women led social entrepreneurial initiative called Mbewu Movement, the initiative focuses on wealth creation, networking and mentoring for young professionals.