Speakers at ITIC Global 2026

Frank has been the BBC’s full-time Security Correspondent since 2002, reporting on the world’s major security issues from the Middle East to Ukraine, Colombia and the Arctic as well as Counter Terrorism in the UK. In 2004 he was shot six times at close range by Al-Qaida terrorists while on assignment in Saudi Arabia. He survived, partly paralysed in the legs, and returned to work after 14 surgical operations. Frank holds a degree in Arabic & Islamic Studies from Exeter University. He was awarded an OBE for services to journalism by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005, an Honorary Doctorate from St Andrews University this year, and voted Person of the Year by the UK Press Gazette.

Before joining the BBC he worked in New York, Bahrain and London in investment banking, where he was Director of Middle East business for Robert Fleming. He served for six years as a Territorial Army Officer in the Royal Green Jackets, completing the Cambrian Patrol endurance competition. While at BBC he served on the Board of Motability Operations for nine years as a Non-Exec Director. He is the author of five bestselling books, including his autobiography Blood & Sand. Frank’s latest spy thriller, Invasion, was published in paperback in 2025 and his next thriller, Ballistic, is published on the 30 July 2026. Frank is also a keen nature photographer and is President of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

Dawn is a Medical Case Manager and Flight Nurse with over 15 years’ experience across multiple companies in the international medical assistance and medical repatriation industry. She has managed complex cases and delivered commercial repatriations worldwide.

As an author and nurse educator, Dawn supports nurses entering flight nursing and medical assistance, sharing practical insight from her career. She is actively involved with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Critical Care and Flight Nursing Forum and helps plan the annual RCN Flight Nursing Conference.

At ITIC Istanbul , Dawn brings a nurse’s perspective to the travel and health insurance community, drawing on her experience across clinical care, medical assistance and global patient transport.

Sharon is an experienced leader in the travel and health insurance sector, with over 20 years of experience in international travel, risk management, and global assistance operations. At Allianz Partners, Sharon plays a key role in supporting international travellers and expatriates through thoughtful leadership and a strong focus on operational delivery.

With a self-confessed customer obsession, Sharon is dedicated to consistently delivering first-class service and seamless customer journeys. She brings a deep knowledge of supply chain management, continuous operational improvement, and quality management initiatives, as well as commercial acumen and proven stakeholder management skills.

Sharon’s leadership philosophy is grounded in purpose and trust. She sets high standards for herself and her teams, prioritising engagement, resilience, and high performance. As a mentor, she focuses on recognising and building on individual strengths.

A pioneer at heart, Sharon has led the successful implementation of new systems throughout her career, championing innovative approaches that improve service delivery and efficiency. Driven by a clear sense of fairness and impartiality, Sharon’s work continues to shape how the industry delivers support to travellers around the world.

With a career spanning over 25 years in financial services, insurance and assistance, Alastair Crossley now leads the Global Travel Solutions team at AXA Partners. He is responsible for the end-to-end value proposition, innovation, commercial framework, customer solution delivery & implementation for the AXA Travel Insurance offering globally. Having started his career in asset finance, Alastair soon moved into a commercial role in the UK for an automotive data services business, before joining the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) as Head of Motoring Services. In 2020, Alastair joined AXA Partners to head their Global Roadside Assistance programme, before switching industries to lead the Travel Solutions team. An accomplished public speaker, Alastair regularly covers travel and travel insurance topics from Security to Sustainability and Insuretech to Risk.

Dr Chanatip Ponglorpisit is Assistant Hospital Director at Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin, Thailand – a true international hospital within Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s largest private hospital groups. He leads medical and physician affairs and serves as the hospital’s Utilization Management (UM) physician for both local and international insurers, while overseeing risk management – placing him at the exact point where coverage decisions and clinical care meet. A board-certified Emergency Medicine specialist, he brings 20 years of clinical experience across emergency care, critical-care transport, and international repatriation.

For the past decade, as a medical coordinator for Western IPMI and travel-insurance patients, Dr Chanatip has guided patients through every stage of the patient journey. He is a strong advocate for aligning coverage with clinical need – and for the payer–provider communication that protects both patient safety and the sustainability of cross-border care.

Susan Yates is Senior Director of Global Healthcare Delivery at Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions, where she leads the Global Provider Network and Digital Health Solutions. She brings extensive experience across the international insurance and assistance sectors, with prior leadership roles at International Medical Group, Falck Global Assistance, UnitedHealthcare Global, and Allianz Global Assistance. Susan is known for advancing customer and provider experience, supporting frontline teams, and leading digital modernization initiatives that improve access to care worldwide. She is a frequent industry speaker and serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Assistance and Medical Transport Institute (GAMTI).

Shaun is the Global Director of Assistance & Crisis Response at Compass Point Assist, where he leads the operational delivery of security assistance services and coordinates responses to crisis events affecting clients worldwide. He works closely with operations, sales, and product development teams helping ensure the organisation delivers effective, integrated solutions to complex crisis, security and risk challenges.

With more than 30 years of experience in crisis management, security, and assistance services, Shaun has built a distinguished career supporting major corporate organisations, media groups, government entities, and foreign royalty. Following service in the British military, he transitioned into senior crisis management and security roles, working for and alongside some of the world’s leading risk management and insurance organisations, including Control Risks, Aon, and AXA.

Shaun holds an MSc in Security and Risk Management, a Diploma in Counter Terrorism, and is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) through ASIS International. He is a recognised expert in crisis response, security risk management, and organisational resilience.

Russell is the Vice President of Insurance and Asservo at Cover Genius. In this role, he leads the strategy for embedded protection across EMEA and oversees the company’s global captive insurance entity. With 22 years of experience spanning financial services and technology, Russell is a visionary leader. He’s known for transforming traditional insurance models and driving significant growth across global markets.

A highlight of Russell’s career was his tenure as Director of Insurance at Uber. There, he built and scaled insurance operations across 42 countries, launching groundbreaking protection for millions through innovative, usage-based, and API-driven solutions.

His expertise also includes leadership roles at Zurich, Allianz, Europ Assistance, and Onsi. At Zurich and Allianz he led major underwriting transformations and managed the P&L for non-life insurance portfolios exceeding $500M.

Russell is a leading voice in insurance innovation, strategic execution, and product management, consistently delivering value in complex, rapidly evolving environments.

Dr. Jong is the Group CEO and Group Medical Director at EMA Global, a company he established in 1991. Renowned for contributions to clinical anaesthesia, intensive care medicine, and aeromedical expertise, Dr. Jong holds a prominent position as a leading sub-specialist in aeromedical medicine. He also meticulously supervises all transports and actively engages in the aeromedical training and quality assurance initiatives for EMA Global’s medical escorts.

Jonathan Spinoni (PhD in Physics) is a researcher in climate sciences, with 19 years of experience on climate hazards, drought, desertification, and impacts of climate change. He now works for the CMCC foundation and has worked for the University of Milan, the European Commission, Polytechnic of Milan, and acted as scientific advisor for the UNCCD. He published more than 40 scientific papers and contributed to the IPCC-AR6, the GAR Special Report on Drought, and the UNCCD Report on Aridity in 2024. His current research focuses on the exposure of population and ecosystems to past and projected climate extremes over both global and local scale. He currently co-leads the drought section of the CORDEX-CORE activities.

Taisia is the founder of Expat Psychologist, established in 2009 as the world’s first psychological practice dedicated exclusively to internationally mobile individuals. With over 15 years of specialist experience, she has pioneered the recognition of expat mental health as a distinct clinical and professional field – building her practice at a time when the travel insurance and assistance industries had yet to recognise the scale of what was coming.

Operating across the Netherlands and Switzerland, with online services reaching clients worldwide, Taisia works with expatriates, trailing spouses, global nomads, international students, and corporate employees on international assignments. Her practice addresses the full arc of the internationally mobile experience. Having lived and worked across multiple countries herself, she brings both clinical depth and lived understanding to the communities she serves.

Taisia works with insurers, assistance companies, and corporate HR teams to bridge the gap between what internationally mobile individuals actually need psychologically and what the industry currently provides.

Since 2005 I’ve been a member of the Executive Board of FAI and Managing Director of FAI Medical Services GmbH (dba FAI Air Ambulance), the ambulance division of the company. I started my career as a paramedic in ground-based and helicopter emergency services and acquired experience of thousands of missions from 1983 to 1999. I took over management roles for air ambulance providers in 2000, specialising in the field of cost-sensitive assistance services. My capacity to fulfil the requirements of senior managerial positions in the air ambulance industry, as I have done for quite a long time now, is based on those long years of professional activity, my comprehensive market knowledge and also a talent for interpersonal relationships.

Laura Hilton has over 25 years’ experience creating quality-driven, cost-effective global healthcare networks. The architect of a worldwide healthcare network available to over 62 million insured members in 180+ countries, Laura is passionate about leveraging technology to simplify the healthcare experience. Laura has developed customized international healthcare solutions for multinational corporations, family offices, study abroad programs, NGOs and professional sports teams. A graduate of Yale University, Laura speaks five languages.

Delphine Icart, CEO of Global Health, brings more than 25 years of international experience across the insurance, healthcare, and technology sectors. Prior to joining the Foyer Group in Luxembourg, she served as CEO of Healthanea, a joint venture between AXA and Microsoft focused on healthcare innovation, and as Chief Transformation Officer of AXA Seguros in Mexico. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership positions within international organisations and led large-scale transformation programmes across Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East. Today, she is focused on advancing innovative international health solutions and addressing the evolving healthcare needs of globally mobile populations.

Declan McDermott is the Director of Global Provider Networks at Healix International, where he leads the organisation’s global provider network strategy, operational performance, and financial stewardship. He is responsible for driving the evolution of Healix’s Global Network Team, ensuring best‑in‑class quality standards across international partners, and overseeing key global cost‑containment initiatives. With extensive experience managing complex medical provider ecosystems and 10 years within the medical assistance and travel risk management space, Declan brings a combination of strategic thinking, operational discipline, and stakeholder engagement.

Graeme is a multiple founder and recognised authority in the Insurtech and global insurance markets, with deep expertise in complex, high-risk, and non-standard insurance solutions. He is the Founder and CEO of Hotspot Cover, a specialist insurer supporting individuals and organisations operating in high-risk and conflict-affected regions worldwide. Graeme has built and scaled insurance platforms spanning underwriting, distribution, and technology, working closely with brokers, reinsurers, security providers, and regulators. Known for combining commercial rigour with on-the-ground risk insight, he focuses on building innovative insurance products that address real-world operational challenges in emerging and volatile markets.

Sebastien Bedu is the General Manager of the Middle East team, based at the International SOS office in Dubai. He joined International SOS as the Branch Manager of MedAire, the Aviation & Maritime division of International SOS, in 2015.

In 2021, Sebastien was promoted as General Manager, GCC, where he led the Commercial and Operations teams for the region. In 2023, Sebastien’s scope was extended to the whole Middle East with a specific focus on International SOS’ Health & Security Travel Risk Management solutions.

Prior to joining International SOS, Sebastien worked for several large corporations where he was the Director of Sales for the Middle East.

Dr Mustafa Mert Metin is a physician and healthcare executive with over 10 years of experience in strategy, operations, and business development. He holds an MD degree from Koç University School of Medicine, a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Care Management from Yale School of Public Health, and completed the Deland Administrative Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. His expertise includes clinical operations, digital transformation, patient experience, telemedicine, and health information systems.

Dr Metin serves as Chief of Staff and Global Business Development Director at Koç Healthcare, where he leads strategic initiatives, international partnerships, and business development, supporting the organisation’s UK and international expansion activities.

David is the Founder, Managing Director and Head of AI at Lodestone Solutions, provider of a global-leading travel claims system. Lodestone’s platform has expanded internationally on the strength of highly automated claim processing, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) since 2019.

In designing and implementing AI solutions, David combines strategic technical analysis with a sharp focus on business objectives. He has particular knowledge of travel insurance and travel medical claims, and in the deployment of AI across FNOL, customer interaction, claims examination/decisioning, and fraud detection. He has led agentic AI deployments for leading travel insurers in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Zígor joined MAWDY’s Operations Area in Spain in 2001, where he stayed until 2007. From there, he took on the responsibility for the Operations Area of the Europe Region, and in 2009, he managed the company’s international provider networks. Since 2012, he has led the International Reinsurance Unit, driving the travel insurance business in over 40 countries. Additionally, he actively supports other MAWDY units, participating in various boards of directors and transversal projects. Currently, alongside these responsibilities, he is the company’s point of reference for its travel insurance line.

Maximilian Jankowski is the German owner and Managing Director of maxis.group GmbH and Maxis Rettung gGmbH. After completing his A-levels, he trained as a paramedic and has remained in an operational role ever since. During this time, he also undertook management training to become an Emergency Services Operations Manager. He is also a qualified driving instructor and driving coach for all categories.

In 2013 he founded maxis.group and developed it into a provider of mobility and safety solutions, including the conversion of specialist vehicles as well as driving licence training and safety training for public authorities and emergency services. His passion lies in the connection between tactical medicine and the interface between the police and emergency services – then developing the concept of a civilian ambulance with appropriate equipment, as well as a suitable training programme. This vehicle is now deployed in Germany with its crew, for example at high-profile political events or during police operations when medical support for VIPs is required.

Celal Emre Dursun is the CEO of Redstar Aviation, with over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry. Throughout his career he has led large-scale international projects, specialising in aviation operations, safety and quality management, project development, and customer relations. He has extensive experience in offshore aviation operations and has successfully managed projects in collaboration with major international energy companies. Celal is recognised for his expertise in operational efficiency, strategic management, and transparent service solutions within the aviation and air ambulance sectors.

Helen Love has over 30 years of experience in the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI), travel insurance, and assistance industries. She is a recognised leader in international provider network management, strategic partnership development, operational delivery, and global healthcare products and propositions.

Throughout her career, Helen has built and managed complex international provider networks, developed and led strategic partnerships across multiple regions, and delivered large-scale operational and service transformation programmes. She has extensive expertise in the design, implementation, and management of healthcare, assistance, and insurance solutions, with a deep understanding of the commercial, clinical, and operational dynamics of the global IPMI and travel insurance markets.

For more than a decade, Anne has been responsible for managing the commercial direction and client relationships for AirLink Ambulance, an EURAMI and IAG accredited air ambulance company based out of Mexico. Anne is now involved at a strategic level and works closely together with her colleagues in Guadalajara. Apart from her role at AirLink, Anne is passionate about international collaboration and intercultural communications.

Constanza ‘Connie’ Traub is the Vice President of Marketing at VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group (VUMI), where she leads global marketing, communications, product innovation, and strategic market expansion across the Americas, Europe, and emerging regions. With more than 15 years of experience in international private medical insurance (IPMI), Connie has played a key role in positioning VUMI as a leader in high-quality, patient-centric healthcare solutions.

Her work is deeply rooted in the company’s mission of improving healthcare access, cost transparency, and service quality throughout Latin America – a region facing rising medical inflation, inconsistent standards of care, and growing demand for international coverage. Connie collaborates closely with actuarial, underwriting, provider relations, and leads the product development team to design solutions that balance affordability with superior patient experience, including specialty products like My VIP Care and Travel VIP.