Our Team | DSG

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The DSG Team

Ryan Johnson-Hunt

Co-Founder & CEO

A seasoned consultant and thought leader, Ryan brings a unique blend of expertise in cutting-edge technologies and business acumen to the forefront of the digital securities space. As co-founder of Johnson & Hunt Consulting, Ryan has been instrumental in guiding organisations across various industries to navigate the transformative potential of blockchain, Web3, and the emerging Metaverse.

He combines international business experience with postgraduate studies in Marketing, Management, and Finance. He co-founded DSG with a vision to create a platform that catalyses economic growth, facilitates cross-border investments, and democratises access to capital for both established players and budding entrepreneurs. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with his keen eye for emerging trends, positions him well to steer the DSG towards market leadership.

Graeme Leversha

Co-Founder & Director of Finance

Graeme is a Director of the New Zealand Commodities Exchange, Laurium Asset Management, Laurium Partners, and Agricultural Estates Limited. Graeme is the founder and principal of Laurium House Limited, an asset management, accounting and business consultancy.

Graeme has been involved in ANZ, NZ Funds Management, and merchant bank Fay, Richwhite and Company. Graeme was the architect behind the development of the New Zealand Venture Capital Association Incorporated. He was the founder of the NZ Middle East Business Council and acted as secretary for 3 years. Graeme has an MBA, and Dip Bus (Finance) both from the University of Auckland and a Bachelor of Management Studies (Accounting & Economics) from the University of Waikato. Graeme is a chartered accountant with full membership to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. .

Tracey McDonald

Co-Founder & Director of Client Relations

Tracey is on a mission to revolutionise the way investors access, own, and trade traditional assets on blockchain. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and credentials in financial planning, money coaching, and training and assessment, Tracey brings a unique perspective and skillset to the emerging digital asset class.

Tracey is responsible for driving the revenue growth and customer satisfaction of the DSG platform, by engaging new and existing clients, creating value propositions, and developing cross-sell opportunities. Tracey is passionate about educating and empowering investors to leverage the potential of Web3, DeFi, and tokenisation to achieve their financial goals.

Jonathan Duncan

Director of Business Advisory

A seasoned financial services professional with over 17 years of experience in capital markets, investment banking, and corporate finance. As a Director at Wholesale Growth Capital Limited, Jonathan brings deep expertise in structuring and executing complex financial transactions, including equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and debt financing. His background in financial advisory, particularly in guiding high-growth companies through pivotal stages of their business life cycle, has earned him a reputation for strategic insight and innovation.

Jonathan’s career spans significant roles in prominent financial institutions, where he has been instrumental in driving growth, enhancing operational efficiencies, and fostering client relationships. His adeptness at navigating the regulatory landscape and identifying emerging market opportunities positions him as a key influencer in the financial sector. Jonathan is committed to empowering businesses to achieve their full potential, leveraging his extensive network and industry knowledge to deliver tailored financial solutions.

Tim Maclean

Head of Compliance

Tim plays a crucial role at DSG, overseeing the development, implementation, and oversight of a thorough compliance program spanning the organisation's global entities. His focus is on ensuring adherence to regulatory standards across diverse jurisdictions. Tim has experience working within NZ's FMA and the UK's FCA and brings valuable expertise in navigating the complexities of financial markets regulation. He leads DSG's compliance efforts, collaborating with legal teams, conducting risk assessments, and maintaining a robust framework. Tim's dedication lies in safeguarding investor interests and upholding regulatory compliance in this dynamic industry landscape.

Tim's proficiency in developing processes and frameworks for regulatory best practice is critical to the success of DSG. His responsibilities extend to overseeing compliance activities, engaging with regulatory bodies, adjusting to regulatory changes, and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, including legal counsel. Tim is also tasked with designing and implementing training programs to enhance awareness and accountability across the team. As the company expands, Tim will effectively manage the Compliance Team, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.

Will Remor

Head of DeFi Markets

Will is an experienced risk analytics and blockchain expert. He brings a unique blend of technical expertise, risk management, and regulatory knowledge to DSG, making him the ideal partner for businesses looking to work in projects involving Stablecoins and the tokenisation of off-chain assets (e.g. bonds, structured products). Will’s role is to bridge the gap between software engineering teams and business users, ensuring that the technical solutions delivered are aligned with the business goals and meet the regulatory requirements.

With a strong focus on Stablecoin projects, Will has a deep understanding of the Ethereum and DeFi ecosystem and specialises in using data science and machine learning techniques to deliver high-value applications in these areas. His expertise includes applied finance, economics and smart contract security. Will is highly experienced in various risk management models, frameworks, and policies applied to the industry.

Will is an active contributor to various working groups and industry associations shaping the regulatory environment for DeFi, Stablecoins and CBDCs, making him a valuable asset to DSG. Whether it's through data analysis, predictive modelling, risk management or developing decentralised financial systems, Will has a proven track record of delivering impactful and innovative solutions to clients.

Jon Lowther

Business Development - Singapore

Jon Lowther is a pioneering technologist and innovator who has always been fascinated by the possibilities of computers and virtual worlds. His passion for technology was sparked early on by his father, an airline pilot who taught Jon machine language programming at just seven years old.

After getting his start in programming on mainframe computers in the 1980s, Jon studied arts and communications while also spending time in Japan's rock music scene. He later combined his creative and technical skills, co-founding an Internet startup called Latitude in the 1990s. Through this, Jon gained early experience with virtual reality by partnering with Silicon Graphics International on VR gaming.

For over a decade, Jon has led Imersia, a company that brings together virtual and augmented reality solutions. As Director at Imersia, he draws on his diverse background spanning music, media, gaming, business and bleeding-edge technologies to create immersive new experiences. Jon's lifelong inventor mindset and passion for pushing boundaries in technology continues to drive innovation across industries.

Bryan Ventura

Legal Advisor - New Zealand

Bryan is an experienced lawyer in financial services regulation, corporate & securities law, capital markets (private and public), investment funds and commercial law. Bryan’s broad expertise across financial services regulation and corporate & commercial law makes him a suitable advisor to acquisitive financial services businesses. He has experience with high-end financial services M&A, advising on due diligence, transaction documents, engagement with regulators (including obtaining regulatory clearance) and post-completion compliance.

Bryan is a modern digital lawyer who advises on emerging technologies and their intersection with financial services regulation, AML, corporate, securities, intellectual property, and commercial laws. He has several years of in-depth expertise in FinTech, blockchain and cryptocurrency, including wallets, broking, investment or digital platforms, payments, Web3 technologies, NFTs, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokens, stablecoins and VASP regulation. Bryan has advised on the launch of a metaverse.

In addition to advising DSG, he works with leading blockchain and digital asset companies, including VeVe Digital Collectibles, Futureverse, global cryptocurrency exchanges, and an NFT platform (and others) – advising on cutting-edge products and services. Bryan’s other clients include tech startups, SMEs, and large corporates, based in NZ or overseas – including an NZX-listed company and all types of financial service businesses.

Bryan’s comprehensive knowledge spans financial services regulation, including licensing or registration under the FMCA (Financial Markets Conduct Act), Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations, Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR), Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010. He also advises on the Companies Act, the Limited Partnerships Act 2008, NZX Rules, the Fair Trading Act, and other laws related to our financial system. He engages with New Zealand regulators on behalf of clients.

Bryan holds various leadership roles that have helped to support the growth and institutionalisation of NZ’s blockchain industry including being an ex-Chair of BlockchainNZ (April 2021 – June 2023), a Council Member of the International Digital Asset Exchange Association (IDAXA) and an active member of the Payments NZ Forum. Bryan is currently on the BlockchainNZ Council. Bryan is involved in New Zealand’s startup and venture capital industries, including the Angel Association of New Zealand and NZ Private Capital.

Danu Abeysuriya

Technology & Systems Advisor

Danu is CTO and the Founder of Rush Digital, one of New Zealand’s most innovative and respected digital engineering studios. Danu has nearly two decades of experience as a technical innovator, entrepreneur, and leader in technology. Danu founded Rush Digital, in 2009 and the company boasts an enviable list of clients over the years, including Disney, Google, Microsoft, Nestlé, Heineken, Air New Zealand, the BBC, TVNZ, Fonterra, Samsung, Nokia and The Warehouse. Danu oversees the technological direction of RUSH, with the ultimate purpose of designing and building technology to better serve humankind.  Personally, Danu is passionate about social equity, poverty alleviation and education. "We have a responsibility to use our developer privilege to change the world for the better."

Robert Lay

Hong Kong Markets Advisor

Robert is based in Hong Kong and is currently working as Senior Director, Debt & Structured Finance at JLL Hong Kong. He serves a diverse range of clients, including global institutional investors, listed funds, financial institutions, local corporates, and high-net-worth families in Hong Kong and across the APAC region to achieve debt and structured finance solutions, across all capital stacks, for their acquisitions, portfolio refinancing, or development projects.

Previous roles include Acting General Manager at the Bank of China (NZ), and Director Market Development at ASB Corporate Banking.

Robert brings to DSG an intimate knowledge of the local market as well as a very large network within Hong Kong and Greater China.