Simi Belo
Senior Privacy Manager at GSS- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Michelle Lawrence
Simi is simply wonderful. She has been advising my charity on product development and I cannot sing her praises highly enough. She has taken a project that was just an idea and given us the the tools, the planning and structures to bring it to life. It's been a very collaborative and highly enjoyable process working with Simi, she's very organised and creative, and has brought energy and enthusiasm to the team. I'm very aware of how lucky we are to have someone of her calibre on board - she has an incredible array of skills, knowledge and experience.
William Makower
Simi is a consummate professional. Her communication work is driven by both a personal conviction and dedication to her craft. Simi has provided us with outstanding advice, thinking always about the end-customer. Simi has become part of our team, advising and recommending based on a real-world understanding of consumers.
Michelle Lawrence
Simi is simply wonderful. She has been advising my charity on product development and I cannot sing her praises highly enough. She has taken a project that was just an idea and given us the the tools, the planning and structures to bring it to life. It's been a very collaborative and highly enjoyable process working with Simi, she's very organised and creative, and has brought energy and enthusiasm to the team. I'm very aware of how lucky we are to have someone of her calibre on board - she has an incredible array of skills, knowledge and experience.
William Makower
Simi is a consummate professional. Her communication work is driven by both a personal conviction and dedication to her craft. Simi has provided us with outstanding advice, thinking always about the end-customer. Simi has become part of our team, advising and recommending based on a real-world understanding of consumers.
Michelle Lawrence
Simi is simply wonderful. She has been advising my charity on product development and I cannot sing her praises highly enough. She has taken a project that was just an idea and given us the the tools, the planning and structures to bring it to life. It's been a very collaborative and highly enjoyable process working with Simi, she's very organised and creative, and has brought energy and enthusiasm to the team. I'm very aware of how lucky we are to have someone of her calibre on board - she has an incredible array of skills, knowledge and experience.
William Makower
Simi is a consummate professional. Her communication work is driven by both a personal conviction and dedication to her craft. Simi has provided us with outstanding advice, thinking always about the end-customer. Simi has become part of our team, advising and recommending based on a real-world understanding of consumers.
Michelle Lawrence
Simi is simply wonderful. She has been advising my charity on product development and I cannot sing her praises highly enough. She has taken a project that was just an idea and given us the the tools, the planning and structures to bring it to life. It's been a very collaborative and highly enjoyable process working with Simi, she's very organised and creative, and has brought energy and enthusiasm to the team. I'm very aware of how lucky we are to have someone of her calibre on board - she has an incredible array of skills, knowledge and experience.
William Makower
Simi is a consummate professional. Her communication work is driven by both a personal conviction and dedication to her craft. Simi has provided us with outstanding advice, thinking always about the end-customer. Simi has become part of our team, advising and recommending based on a real-world understanding of consumers.
Credentials
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Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)
The International Association of Privacy ProfessionalsAug, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
The International Association of Privacy ProfessionalsAug, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E)
The International Association of Privacy ProfessionalsAug, 2018- Nov, 2024
Experience
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GSS - Global Screening Services
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United Kingdom
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Financial Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Privacy Manager
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Jan 2023 - Present
GSS brings global financial institutions together to deliver higher standards in compliance, providing a trusted platform to enhance and exchange information. Its first service delivers sanctions transaction screening, built on industry standards and improved processes. Leading and implementing GSS's privacy programme, I inform and operationalise the company's privacy and data protection obligations, formulate policies, and assist cross-functional teams on all the initiatives that involve personal data, and much more.
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Uphold
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United States
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Financial Services
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200 - 300 Employee
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Senior Privacy Program Manager
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Jan 2022 - Jan 2023
Uphold is an easy-to-use investments and payments app, specialising in crypto and other digital assets, and is the only platform to offer 'anything-to-anything’ trading. As the Senior Privacy Program Manager, working within the Information Governance, Privacy and Security team, I focused on ensuring that the company's privacy and data protection program strengthened customer trust and maintained compliance with rapidly changing global privacy requirements. Uphold is an easy-to-use investments and payments app, specialising in crypto and other digital assets, and is the only platform to offer 'anything-to-anything’ trading. As the Senior Privacy Program Manager, working within the Information Governance, Privacy and Security team, I focused on ensuring that the company's privacy and data protection program strengthened customer trust and maintained compliance with rapidly changing global privacy requirements.
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FanLogic®
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Advertising Services
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Data Compliance Director
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Nov 2018 - Dec 2021
Responsible for the data compliance function for marketing technology start up, FanLogic, advising senior management, providing oversight, managing the company's compliance risk approach and building a strong integral compliance function. Charged with developing the compliance strategy, and designing and implementing the data protection management framework; plus internal and external communications, team training and more, for the business. Responsible for the data compliance function for marketing technology start up, FanLogic, advising senior management, providing oversight, managing the company's compliance risk approach and building a strong integral compliance function. Charged with developing the compliance strategy, and designing and implementing the data protection management framework; plus internal and external communications, team training and more, for the business.
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Link Up (UK) & other clients
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London, UK
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Data Compliance, Business Strategy & Marketing Consultant
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Jun 2013 - Nov 2018
Designing and introducing data protection and privacy services, managing legally compliant personal data management and privacy systems, and implementing GDPR policies and ensuring on-going compliance: such duties were added to the initial responsibilities of project management, business development or developing growth strategies. Clients included Link Up, UK (Feb 2017 – Oct 2018); Global Trading Community (May 2016 – Oct 2018); SimiWeave™ Limited (Oct 2013 – Oct 2018); and Livespot Group, where I was the Executive Director, Business Support Services, responsible for the company's accounting, procurement, legal, HR, operations, IT and admin departments, UK & Nigeria (June 2013 – Oct 2018).
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Chartered Institute of Marketing Tutor
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UK & Nigeria
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The Marketers' Forum
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Sep 2011 - Dec 2017
Teaching Digital Strategy, Strategic Marketing, Market Research & Analysis and other modules of the Chartered Institute of Marketing's Diploma to professional marketers part time. 96% pass rate! Teaching Digital Strategy, Strategic Marketing, Market Research & Analysis and other modules of the Chartered Institute of Marketing's Diploma to professional marketers part time. 96% pass rate!
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Vlisco Netherlands
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Netherlands
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Textile Manufacturing
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400 - 500 Employee
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Head of Channel Marketing & Strategy
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Apr 2012 - May 2013
Appointed to lead entire marketing functions, direct national and regional managers, manage and operate business unit budgeting process, data management and create forecasts and action plans for the company’s largest market, Nigeria. Envisioned and implemented effective business strategy for generating and optimising overall sales pipeline with significant revenue growth. Appointed to lead entire marketing functions, direct national and regional managers, manage and operate business unit budgeting process, data management and create forecasts and action plans for the company’s largest market, Nigeria. Envisioned and implemented effective business strategy for generating and optimising overall sales pipeline with significant revenue growth.
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Various companies
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Atlanta, USA; & Lagos, Nigeria
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Business Strategy & Marketing Consultant
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Mar 2009 - Mar 2012
Analysed data-driven marketing / brand opportunities and target markets and gathered marketing and business intelligence information regarding customers, products, potential markets, and competitors. Built and employed data privacy compliant follow-up tactics and strategy for marketing activities and formulated proposals and business models for clients. Strengthened marketing and business development capabilities for bringing continuous improvement. Clients included Design Studeo and Sleek Hair & Beauty.
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Specialty Commerce Corp, US
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Boston, USA
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VP of Marketing & New Business Development, Especially Yours
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Jan 2007 - Feb 2009
Formulated and executed business development strategy, marketing, PR and communications plans to accelerate sales for lobal consumer brands, including Outré, Pro 10 and the Diahann Carroll Wig Collection. Successfully introduced 4 new lines in the Especially Yours catalog, including the Patti LaBelle Wig Collection. Formulated and executed business development strategy, marketing, PR and communications plans to accelerate sales for lobal consumer brands, including Outré, Pro 10 and the Diahann Carroll Wig Collection. Successfully introduced 4 new lines in the Especially Yours catalog, including the Patti LaBelle Wig Collection.
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SimiWeave Limited
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London, UK
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Inventor / Entrepreneur / Managing Director
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Sep 2003 - Dec 2005
Actual end date May 2018 (14 years 8 months). Tasked with generating and integrating a full marketing communications mix featuring targeted ATL, TTL, and BTL tactics. Administered and maintained awareness, sales, brand loyalty, and advocacy via data privacy compliant CRM, PR, and digital marketing tools. Streamlined and oversaw regular operations of the company while planning and activating brand and product marketing which defined and exhibited a new genre across the global hair market. ♦ Designed and patented the original ‘U-part wig’ in 2003 and propelled as 'NewHair®' in 2004. ♦ Conceived and executed international business action plans, recognised and acquired five potential partners in the key markets of the US, Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and Caribbean. ♦ Championed the invention in 8 sales channels including retailing in Selfridges, wholesaling to salons, boutiques, and bridal shops across Europe, and direct marketing in the US and Canada. ♦ Established 3 new product lines and re-branded globally as the ‘SimiWeave™’ in 2008. ♦ Winner / finalist of 14 awards, including 'International Business Woman 2005’.
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Guru PR Limited
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London, UK
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Managing Director
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Jun 2001 - Aug 2003
♦ Established boutique PR and marketing communications agency for technology companies. ♦ Hired eight skilled staff and achieved a 100% account-win with year-on-year retention rate. ♦ Clients included Electronic Arts, The Games Industry Trade Association, and Trayport™. ♦ Established boutique PR and marketing communications agency for technology companies. ♦ Hired eight skilled staff and achieved a 100% account-win with year-on-year retention rate. ♦ Clients included Electronic Arts, The Games Industry Trade Association, and Trayport™.
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Text 100 PR Limited
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London, UK
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Associate Director
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Apr 2000 - May 2001
♦ Pitched and acquired new potential clients including LEGO Media, Shell GeoStar, and Codeonline. ♦ Operated business unit budget, met targets and achieved 40% growth on the 5-year plan. ♦ Pitched and acquired new potential clients including LEGO Media, Shell GeoStar, and Codeonline. ♦ Operated business unit budget, met targets and achieved 40% growth on the 5-year plan.
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Electronic Arts (EA)
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United States
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Entertainment Providers
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700 & Above Employee
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Head of PR
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Apr 1997 - Mar 2000
♦ Launched 80+ video games and franchises which saved over £5.2M of free publicity cost annually. ♦ Promoted twice and earned two awards, i.e. ‘EA Rookie of the Year’ and ‘ACTION’. ♦ Launched 80+ video games and franchises which saved over £5.2M of free publicity cost annually. ♦ Promoted twice and earned two awards, i.e. ‘EA Rookie of the Year’ and ‘ACTION’.
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Education
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International Association of Privacy Professionals
Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) -
International Association of Privacy Professionals
Certified Information Privacy Professional US (CIPP/US) -
International Association of Privacy Professionals
Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) -
International Association of Privacy Professionals
Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe (CIPP/E) -
1998 - 1999
Martran College, London, UK
CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing), Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing -
1991 - 1992
West Herts College - UK
Public Relations Practitioners’ Association Post Graduate Diploma, International PR -
1988 - 1991
Kings College, University of London - UK
Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Geography
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