Joost started Closing the Loop, a company that makes ‘circularity for tech’ tangible, appealing and understandable, today. He works with the technology sector and its stakeholders to turn circular ambitions into results.
Closing the Loop is recognized for its work in emerging markets, customer-focused circularity approach, and partnerships with leading telecom brands to drive towards a closed-loop industry.
Joost has been an entrepreneur for 12 years and has worked in consulting and for the Global Reporting Initiative in the past.

Tibor Foti is the founder of Telcos, a leading distributor of high-quality refurbished smartphones. Previously, he played a pivotal role in introducing major smartphone brands such as Honor, Nothing or OnePlus in Central Europe. Under Tibor’s leadership, Telcos continues to set new standards in distributing high-quality refurbished smartphones, blending his tech expertise with a commitment to sustainability.

Josh Beasley is a Partner at both Quick Ship Brands (QSB) and Early Upgrade (EU), while also serving as a Board Advisor at Cellbie. Each of these organizations plays a distinct role within the technology recommerce ecosystem:
Quick Ship Brands specializes in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Remarketing, enabling brands to maximize recovery without taking on the complexities that come with selling D2C.

Cellbie enables Wholesale Remarketing through its proprietary trading platform, allowing vetted sellers and buyers to transact with surety and speed.

Early Upgrade is one of the leading players in Recycling and Data Destruction, ensuring end of life doesn’t result in landfill for >6M products annually.

With over 15 years of experience in technology services and a strong emphasis on circular enablement, Josh has collaborated with many of the world’s leading OEMs, Telcos, and e/Retailers, helping to shape sustainable solutions across the global tech landscape.”

Henning is Circularity Project Lead at Deutsche Telekom Group. He is responsible for defining the Group´s circularity strategy, goals, targets and KPIs.  Henning has 20+ years of experience in the telco industry and has held various positions in the field of strategy, telco regulation and governance. He holds a PhD in Economics.

Kasper Nørgaard is Remarketing Manager at Egiss/Refurb.eu, where he leads commercial strategy alongside marketplace and distribution sales across Europe. With nearly two decades of experience in the IT industry – and almost 10 years focused on refurbished IT – Kasper brings deep industry insight into building scalable and sustainable remarketing solutions. He’s passionate about making refurbished electronics a first choice through transparency, accessibility, and great customer experiences.

Jean-Brieuc Feron is the founder & CEO of Citronics, a circular electronics company enabling the transfer at scale of old smartphone components into industrial smart devices. J-B is an electrical engineer from UCLouvain (Belgium) with a passion for nature. He worked in the aerospace industry, developing microprocessors for space rockets, before founding Citronics.

Mehmet Isik has been part of Everphone almost from the very beginning. Since joining the
company in 2017, he has played a key role in building and scaling its operational infrastructure across Europe and the US. As Chief Operations Officer and member of the management board, he is responsible for business development, logistics, and service architecture, as well as key strategic initiatives. Before joining Everphone, Mehmet spent seven years at the professional services firm EY, most recently as a Manager.

Mehmet holds an Executive MBA from the Technical University of Munich and a Master’s
degree in Industrial Engineering from Munich University of Applied Sciences.

Alex joined Assurant in 2021 as managing director for the Connected Living business, and promoted to country manager, Germany in 2022. Alex leads business and drives further development in the D/A/CH region by creating products and services to meet the needs of consumers. He is responsible for all business activities and budgets and, together with an interdisciplinary, cross-border team, develops strategies to optimize existing client relationships and acquire new clients in the D/A/CH market.

Alex manages client relationships while co-designing and implementing a joint business model along Assurant’s value chain, especially focusing on the logistics chain for device repair, trade-in and upgrade solutions, and developing innovative, localised, consumer-focused protection products and services.

Prior to joining Assurant, Alexander Heß served in the role of head of Consumer Electronics Protection, Northern Europe for AXA Partners. His previous roles include positions at other insurers, including R+V Insurance, Chubb European Group and AXA Versicherung Deutschland.

Alexander Thiele, a passionate advocate for sustainability in IT and a recognized leader in the circular economy space. Currently serving as Director Circular Services at Computacenter, Alexander brings over 20 years of experience from industry giants like Bechtle and Dell, where he has led transformative initiatives in managed services, networking, and IT remarketing.

But beyond the titles and achievements, Alexander is someone who truly walks the talk. His personal mission is to reduce the ecological footprint of IT—not just through strategy, but through action. He believes in empowering teams, embracing change, and always staying curious about what’s possible next.

With a mindset shaped by both business acumen and ecological responsibility, Alexander inspires others to rethink how we use technology—not just for efficiency, but for a more sustainable future. As he often says, quoting Leonardo da Vinci: “Being willing is not enough – we must do it.”

After several successful years at PCS Wireless and refurbisher Renewd in the Netherlands, Pieter Waasdorp founded Falster Consultancy, a firm specializing in the global repair and secondary market for consumer electronics, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and smartwatches. Leveraging his extensive industry experience, Waasdorp has guided numerous refurbishment companies in entering new markets and has been instrumental in the development and execution of operator and retail trade-in programs. Falster Consultancy has also played a pivotal role in launching pan-European repair initiatives, ensuring that these programs meet the diverse needs of consumers across the continent.

Falster Consultancy is also the publisher of secondarymarket.news, a platform dedicated to delivering the latest news, insights, trends, and industry gossip from the worldwide repair and secondary market. The site covers a range of topics, including sustainable technology practices, circular economy developments, and innovations in device diagnostics and inspection processes. By offering in-depth analysis and up-to-date information, secondarymarket.news has become a go-to source for professionals and enthusiasts alike who are looking to stay informed about the evolving landscape of the electronics repair and refurbishment industry.

After successful years at PCS Wireless and Renewd, Pieter Waasdorp founded Falster Consultancy, specializing in the global repair and secondary market for consumer electronics. With deep industry expertise, he has helped refurbishment companies expand and played a key role in operator and retail trade-in programs. Falster Consultancy has also supported pan-European repair initiatives. Additionally, it publishes secondarymarket.news, a platform covering industry trends, sustainability, and circular economy developments. Providing insights on diagnostics and inspection innovations, the site has become a vital resource for professionals and enthusiasts tracking the evolving electronics repair and refurbishment industry.

Rzilient is the next-generation IT asset management solution designed to automate, secure, and optimize IT performance while reducing its impact.

Our native Green IT approach combines refurbished equipment (purchase or rental), repurposing of end-of-life devices, and monitoring throughout the lifecycle with proactive vulnerability detection to confidently extend the lifespan of equipment.

Result: -30% emissions, -50% IT costs, and restored peace of mind.

Our ambition: to make security a driver of sustainability, and Green IT a technological no-brainer.

Hung holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Business Mediation.
With extensive experience in technology leadership, he served as Head of Software Architecture and User Experience at Ericsson, driving innovation and user-focused solutions.

As Co-founder and Technical Advisor at erasoo GmbH, Hung continues to merge technical expertise with strategic insight, helping businesses build scalable, user-centric products.

Conor Dempsey is Senior Director at GSMA Services & GSMA Intelligence, with over 20 years in telecommunications driving innovation in device management and mobile connectivity. He leads global initiatives to promote device circularity, extend device lifecycles, and reduce e-waste across the mobile ecosystem. At Retech Days Business, Conor will speak on GSMA’s focus on sustainable practices and circularity in the mobile device market.

David has spent nearly a decade supporting the reverse, secondary, and circular markets as Founder of Circular Connect, Co-Founder of RL Equity, and Managing Director of RL People. Passionate about helping sustainable businesses scale, he provides tailored recruitment, M&A, investment, and advertising solutions to companies worldwide.

Csaba Kallai is Head of the Technology Center Gross-Gerau at CHG-MERIDIAN – headquartered in Weingarten, Germany, with nearly 20 years of experience in logistics, supply chain management, and the circular economy.

He specializes in ITAD, reverse logistics, and sustainable end-of-life solutions, focusing on global process optimization, digital transformation, and leading multicultural teams.

A Green IT expert, Alexandre Isaac is the founder of THE REPAIR GROUP, a holding company bringing together several organizations specialized in electronic repair and circular economy innovation.

REAV enables the setup of high-end repair workshops worldwide. The company designs, installs, and operates advanced refurbishment facilities, providing expertise in processes, ERP systems, technician training, and operational scaling.

SEENSYS specializes in refurbishing IT assets for businesses. It stands out for its sustainable approach: detailed auditing, repair (including motherboard microsoldering), secure data erasure, and the resale or repurposing of equipment. SEENSYS actively helps reduce electronic waste and supports the local circular economy.

Alexandre founded THE REPAIR ACADEMY, a microsoldering school that trains qualified technicians to extend the lifespan of electronic devices.

He also serves as Deputy Secretary of RCUBE.org, the French professional federation for reuse and repair, which unites and supports industry players committed to extending product lifespans, strengthening the circular economy, and fighting waste.

Sameer is an entrepreneur with a passion for building sustainable, forward-thinking businesses. Over the years, Sameer had the opportunity to lead diverse ventures across the preowned and circularity sectors, most recently as CEO of Loopefy AS, where we focus on digital innovation with a sustainability lens. Prior to that, much of Sameer’s work has involved launching greenfield projects and navigating underdeveloped and complex markets. With a background spanning telecommunications retail, supply chain solutions, and wholesale distribution, Sameer is committed to creating solutions that drive resource efficiency and long-term impact.

Coming from a background of UX design and strategic consulting for manufacturers, Stefan de Linde has started focusing his attention on the problem at the end of every device’s lifecycle, e-waste.

He founded Minimise to create the global infrastructure in which no e-waste is lost. By leveraging his expertise in digital transformation and strategy, he has made it his mission to build a circular economy in which resources are endlessly repurposed, and any harm caused by unsound recycling is avoided. So far, Minimise have achieved documented e-waste collection infrastructure in over 7 countries, all under one data standard. They work closely with manufacturers and retailers to further scale this circular economy impact.

At 50 years old, Leon Lindblad has built a career in the computer refurbishment industry. Starting in 1998, he first ventured into used computers and eventually created his own path as an entrepreneur.

In 2001, he founded a business focused on refurbishing laptops, inventing keyboard overlays known as “SticKeys.” This was a novel idea at the time, predating UV printers.

With his wife and business partner, Joanna Seager, Leon established CFA Trading LTD in 2004. In its early days, CFA manufactured USB optical drives using excess internal drives and plastics sourced from China. This project aligned with the rise of netbooks and became a key part of their business.

Between 2006 and 2008, CFA expanded, supplying Dell in Europe with batteries and power supplies and performing board-level repairs for other companies. They also engaged in refurbishing scrap Dell laptops and video gaming cards.

In 2012, Leon’s commitment to environmental sustainability led to the installation of a 50KW solar system and a BIOmass boiler at CFA, eliminating their reliance on fossil fuels.

CFA experienced growth and recognition, becoming a prominent Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) in the UK and Europe. They also explored new methods, such as spray painting laptops to upgrade their appearance, and later, producing their own skins.

The company’s innovative efforts were acknowledged with a MAR innovation award in 2020. Later that year, CFA was sold to Global Resale in the USA.

In 2022, Leon embarked on a new venture, founding a refurbishment company focused on 100% refurbishment training services and supplies. This company aims to assist others in refurbishing locally, providing necessary training and support.

Leon Lindblad’s career reflects his entrepreneurial nature, innovative thinking, and consistent consideration for environmental impact. His work in the refurbishment industry showcases a practical approach to business and a commitment to sustainability.

Craig Smith is the Group Managing Director of Mazuma Mobile and ICT Reverse, both part of Lancaster Group Holdings Limited.

With more than two decades of leadership in the technology recycling and IT asset disposition (ITAD) industries, Craig has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s circular economy for electronic devices.

He founded ICT Reverse (originally ShP Limited) in 1999 after identifying a growing need for secure and environmentally responsible management of redundant mobile phones and IT equipment.

Over time, the company evolved into one of the UK’s leading ITAD providers, specialising in reverse logistics, secure data erasure and recycling with full audit trails and compliance to standards such as ADISA 8.0.

Building on this foundation, Craig expanded operations through Mazuma Mobile, founded in 2006, which quickly became a household name for mobile phone trade-ins. Mazuma pioneered fast, consumer-friendly services such as same-day payments, refurbishment, and resale of second-life devices. It has since developed into a multi-channel platform for buying, selling, and recycling a wide range of tech products.

In 2017, Craig became a director of Lancaster Group Holdings, the parent company overseeing both Mazuma and ICT Reverse, strengthening corporate governance and providing a framework for continued growth. Under this structure, he has overseen strategic investment, job creation in the Lancashire region and the expansion of both consumer and enterprise-focused services.

Craig’s leadership has been widely recognised. In 2024, he was named one of the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders by LDC, highlighting his achievements in driving innovation, sustainability, and growth in the technology recycling sector.

His approach balances commercial success with environmental responsibility, ensuring that millions of devices are securely processed, refurbished, or recycled in line with the highest data security and environmental standards.

Educated at Morecambe High School, Craig remains strongly connected to the local community. Based in the Lancaster and Morecambe area, he continues to champion regional economic development while building internationally recognised businesses that contribute to global sustainability goals.

Dr. Philipp Gattner is the CEO of rebuy recommerce, one of Europe’s leading recommerce companies focusing on consumer electronics and media. rebuy positions itself as a quality leader, aiming to move the recommerce market from niche to mass market. Philipp holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Gallen, a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, and completed a PhD at the University of Witten/Herdecke. Prior to joining rebuy, he worked as a consultant at McKinsey.

Dr. Wurlod is a member of Houlihan Lokey’s Circular Tech practice, with extensive knowledge in the area of sustainability and impact. He has more than a decade of experience across management consulting, academia and public sector organisations. Dr. Wurlod is also a member of the Financial and Valuation Advisory ESG Task Force.

Dr. Wurlod is a published author in top-tier journals on environmental economics and innovation and has also worked for four years as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group across Europe and the Middle East. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Economics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.

Simon Sinan Ventura is a business leader with over 18 years of experience in finance,
consulting, and entrepreneurship. He began his career in strategy and investment banking at
leading financial institutions such as Citibank, UniCredit, and TSKB, and also gained
experience in management consulting through global projects.
Combining his corporate background with an entrepreneurial mindset, he entered the e-
commerce space in 2012. For five years, he led the company to become one of the fastest-
growing and most successful scale-ups in Turkey and Europe, reaching millions of users. He
successfully exited the venture to strategic investors and went on to establish Entas Group,
through which he has spearheaded innovative ventures and export operations across
various sectors.
Focusing on technology, sustainability, and next-generation business models, Ventura
founded the fintech startup Kiralabunu in 2020 with the aim of transforming access to
technology. He currently serves as the company’s CEO, leading its ongoing growth.
A graduate of the German High School in Istanbul, Ventura holds a Bachelor’s degree in
Industrial Engineering from Koç University and an Executive Master in Finance from
INSEAD, one of the world’s most prestigious business schools.

Coming Soon.

Laili Ishaqzai is the co-founder of Molano, a company redefining the role of refurbished electronics in the circular economy. With degrees in law and political science, and a master’s in legal philosophy and governance from leading Dutch universities, she brings a systems-level perspective to sustainability, grounded in both theory and practice.

A former youth debate trainer and international exchange organiser with YEU International, Laili has long been committed to civic dialogue and structural change. She later gained commercial leadership experience in retail, B2B technology and the circular electronics sector, where she served as Sales Director. At Molano, she brings these worlds together to lead strategy, compliance and partnerships, showing how circularity can be both commercially viable and operationally grounded.

Laili specializes in circular supply chain design, digital device lifecycle strategy, and regulatory alignment. She advises on how to translate circularity into commercially viable infrastructure with transparency, traceability, and long-term value at the core.

Sarah MAISONNEUVE has beeen for seven years Deputy Director of ATELIERS DU BOCAGE, a social and solidarity enterprise, member of the Emmaüs movement, and a driving force in social, ecological, and digital transitions. She has led the company’s digital equipment refurbishment activities (mobile phones, computer equipment, and printer cartridges). These activities create jobs for long-term unemployment people and people with disabilities, helping them find sustainable employment. A trained engineer, she has dedicated her career to addressing the challenges of the Energy Transition, the Circular Economy, and the Social and Solidarity Economy for 25 years.

Maria leads the B2B Trade-In direction at Breezy — a full-cycle provider of sustainable solutions for tech device remarketing — driving business development across CIS and EU markets. She focuses on creating end-to-end, sustainable IT upgrade solutions for corporate clients and ensuring responsible recycling of end-of-life electronic equipment.

With a background in IT procurement for global companies and extensive experience in technology sourcing and asset management, Maria combines business efficiency with environmental responsibility, promoting circular economy practices in the tech sector.

Serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of executive experience building and scaling disruptive businesses from concept to exit. As Founder of iRiparo, I built Europe’s leading mobile device repair and refurbished phone franchise network, repairing devices since the iPhone 3G and selling refurbished units since the iPhone 5. I expanded to over 400 locations across Europe and partnered with CPR Cell Phone Repair in the US, creating the world’s largest global repair chain with 850+ locations before successfully exiting in 2019.

Currently serving as Head of Corporate Strategy at UTOPYA, a French-based distributor operating across three continents and pioneering circularity and repair solutions, I work directly with the CEO to drive global expansion and shape the company’s long-term vision. My role encompasses implementing transformative processes, optimizing supply chain operations, and developing strategic frameworks that position UTOPYA as a leader. I leverage my deep expertise in sustainable business models and international market expansion to identify new growth opportunities, forge strategic partnerships, and build operational excellence across diverse markets.

My entrepreneurial journey spans the complete business lifecycle—from startup inception through hypergrowth and strategic exit. I specialize in network development, retail expansion, and creating scalable business models across multiple countries. Throughout my career, I’ve demonstrated a consistent ability to identify market opportunities, build high-performance teams, and execute growth strategies that deliver measurable results. I’ve consulted for Fortune 500 companies and fast-scaling startups, introducing innovative strategies that leverage cutting-edge partnerships. Fluent in English, Italian, French, and Spanish, I bring a truly international perspective to entrepreneurship, with proven success in navigating diverse markets and building businesses that scale across cultural boundaries.

Simone Sievernich is the General Manager for the Hard Goods category at eBay Germany, overseeing Electronics, Home & Garden, Media & Lifestyle. With a strategic focus on expanding and enabling Re-Commerce through the refurbished, used and returns business. She is passionate about driving the shift towards a more circular economy both within eBay and across the industry. Her 12+ years’ experience in e-Commerce and commitment to sustainability fuel her efforts to innovate and implement practices that enhance the lifecycle of products, fostering trust and accessibility in the circular economy.

Alexandra Asanache is a dynamic marketing strategist and sustainability leader with extensive international experience. As an EMEA Sustainability Consulting Lead at Lenovo, she has developed tailored IT decarbonization roadmaps and led high-impact sustainability workshops for Enterprise and Global Accounts. She played a pivotal role in launching the Lenovo TruScale brand globally, showcasing the sustainable advantages of the as-a-service business model.

Previously, as Marketing & ESG Director at the APAE Federation of the State of Espírito Santo in Brazil, Alexandra revitalized the brand, diversified revenue streams, and established a robust quality assurance and certification process. Her work not only elevated operational excellence and future-proofed the organization but also raised awareness and fostered inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities, further amplified by her service on the Legislative Committee for Human Rights.

Alexandra’s expertise in merging innovative global strategies with sustainable business practices, alongside her commitment to cultural and NGO initiatives across Europe and Brazil, positions her as a thought leader at the intersection of business growth, environmental responsibility, and social impact.

Liviu Huluta is the Co-Founder and CEO of INKI.tech, a fast-growing pan-European B2B
Devices-as-a-Service platform redefining how companies access, protect, and manage
technology. With over 13 years of experience designing and delivering complex risk and
insurance programs for major telecom operators—including Vodafone, T-Mobile, and
Orange—covering more than 7 million insured devices across Europe, Liviu brings a unique
perspective to the intersection of tech lifecycle management, insurance, and circular economy
models.
At INKI, he leads a cross-European team operating in 25+ markets, helping businesses transform
CAPEX into OPEX through sustainable device subscriptions backed by integrated insurance and
AI-driven automation.
Liviu is a known voice for sharing insights on how innovative risk management and insurance
design can unlock scalability, trust, and sustainability in device-as-a-service ecosystems

Almost 20 years in the ITK industry. Great experience in the IT-Service business as well as End-of-Life business and Sales

Jörg is a seasoned design leader specializing in socio-technical systems and digital platform ecosystems. With over 20 years in UX and product design, he integrates strategy, systems thinking, and user-centred innovation to shape viable digital business models. As Director/VP Product Design at weframe AG and formerly at 3M GTG, he built cross-functional design organizations and drove human-technology co-evolution in complex enterprise environments.

Renata Filipek-Baryłowska is an experienced business leader with a strong background in
management, B2B sales, marketing, customer service. She has worked across multiple
industries, including telecommunications, construction materials, healthcare, and technology.
She specializes in leading distributed teams and fostering effective collaboration between
management and supervisory boards, with a focus on leadership, communication, and
organizational growth.
At bolttech, she is responsible for managing the B2B market across the entire device lifecycle,
which includes device sales, rental, protection, and management using MDM solutions.

Thomas is CEO and Co-Founder of circulee GmbH, a B2B Green-IT pioneer, which provides companies
with highest quality pre-owned IT Hardware and adjacent services. He has 15+ years of experience in
building and scaling digital businesses, leading such work at McKinsey and PepsiCo among others.
Thomas holds a Master of Engineering and a Master of Public Administration. He is also a passionate
angel investor.