Welcome to Startup Daily’s regular column on who’s new in the startup zoo – people moving about.
This week we have 6 new people with a new gig from VC to fintech and cybersecurity.
Derek Bopping is Australia’s new cyber and AI ambassador
Dr Derek Bopping has been appointed Australia’s next ambassador for cyber affairs, artificial intelligence and critical technology, replacing Jessica Hunter.
Bopping is a senior Australian Signals Directorate officer, most recently serving as head of preparedness and business optimisation and head of its Melbourne state office. He previously served in Washington DC and led ASD’s cyber engagement and strategy division and the Department of Home Affairs’ Counter-Terrorism Coordination Centre.
The ambassador’s role covers Australia’s international engagement on cybersecurity, AI and critical technologies, including cooperation with other governments. Bopping brings experience building cybersecurity partnerships across government and industry.
Former Versent CTO Tim Hope now DX1’s tech chief
Australian technology consultancy DX1 has appointed Tim Hope as group chief technology officer. He will lead its technology strategy and partnerships, including its relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Hope joins from Telstra-owned cloud consultancy Versent, where he was CTO. He brings more than two decades of technology experience, including leading an early major AWS deployment at NAB and helping develop Versent’s five-year collaboration agreement with AWS.
DX1 helps businesses develop, deploy and secure software and adopt technologies including AI. The appointment follows its 2025 acquisition of Australian data consultancy Innablr, adding data expertise to its software engineering and security capabilities.
AFL legend James Hird captains Affinda’s sports wing
Melbourne AI company Affinda has appointed former Essendon captain and coach James Hird as global head of Affinda Sports. He will lead its push into international sport, working alongside engineers and product specialists on tools for clubs, governing bodies and other sporting organisations.
The 1996 Brownlow medallist will also continue coaching Port Melbourne’s VFL side. His new role involves identifying opportunities to apply AI to sporting performance, business strategy and revenue growth.
Founded by brothers Tim and Dr Ben Toner in 2012, Affinda has broadened its business from document processing to AI development and implementation. Its sports offering aims to bring together disconnected data to support decisions across competition, fan engagement, memberships and commercial activities.
OneVentures invests in Ian Anderson as capital raising boss
Sydney VC firm OneVentures has appointed Ian Anderson as global director of capital formation. He will lead investor relationships and capital raising across institutional investors and private wealth markets.
Anderson brings more than 25 years’ experience, including senior capital raising and distribution roles at MLC Asset Management, Schroders Investment Management, Fidelity International and Suncorp. He began his career in corporate and asset-backed finance at Commonwealth Bank and Macquarie.
OneVentures manages more than $1 billion across technology, healthcare and venture credit funds.
Beforepay promotes Kasey Kaplan to CEO
Australian fintech Beforepay Group has appointed Kasey Kaplan as chief executive and managing director, succeeding Jamie Twiss from December 7. Kaplan steps up from deputy CEO, with Twiss supporting the handover before remaining in an advisory role.
Kaplan joined Beforepay in September 2021 and has worked across lending operations, product development, distribution and commercial partnerships. He also helped establish the group’s credit analytics business, Carrington Labs, and brings experience across fintech, payments, technology and insurance in Australia and the US.
Beforepay provides consumer loans, while Carrington Labs develops credit risk modelling tools for financial institutions.
Malaysian founder Joel Neoh now Roblox MD for SEA and Oceania
Gaming and creation platform Roblox has appointed Joel Neoh as managing director for Southeast Asia and Oceania. He joined in October and will oversee regional strategy, partnerships and support for local developers and studios.
Neoh founded Malaysian deals platform GroupsMore before leading Groupon’s Asia-Pacific business. He also founded payments platform Fave, acquired by Pine Labs in 2021, and was most recently managing director at consumer health company Prenetics. He is a founding partner of Southeast Asian early-stage venture capital firm First Move and has backed more than 50 startups.
Neoh’s remit includes helping regional creators build businesses on the platform and adapting its global product and business priorities to local markets.
- If you’d like share details on key staff, board or advisor appointments, let us know on newsATstartupdaily.net.
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