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Tech Informed coffee with Shelley Langan-Newton

In this interview, Shelley shares her inspiring career journey from performing arts to becoming a tech leader in the Isle of Man, highlighting the critical role of identity verification in today’s landscape of remote work, deepfakes, and AI advancements. She also explores the power of transferable skills and the importance of building connected communities.
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Currently CEO at digital identity platform SQR, Langan-Newton talks about the importance of identity verification in a world of remote working and AI.

Plus, she discusses her previous role as co-founder of the Isle of Man’s Internet Exchange and how it has helped the self-governed island stay connected, and as a former chair at the island’s Digital Forum, she discusses creating a surprisingly large tech community.

What is your current role?

I’m the CEO of SQR, and SQR is on a mission to make the world a safer place through efficient and inclusive identity verification. This means empowering organisations to trust that their clients are who they claim to be and allowing individuals to easily prove their identity. It’s increasingly crucial in today’s world, especially with the rise of deepfake technology and AI. We’ve recently gone through an acquisition and are working on our business plan for the next raise, focusing on both in-person and online identity verification and looking beyond initial client onboarding to what happens next.

What inspired the in-person focus, and what does that involve?

It’s something we don’t often see because there’s not always a seamless blend between online and in-person. Yet, we naturally blend these in our daily lives. It’s sensible to have a journey that weaves through both environments, allowing proof of identity in both settings because life isn’t just lived online or offline anymore—it’s more blended.

What has been your career journey that led you to become the CEO of SQR?

It’s what they call a “squiggly” career. I spent the first ten years as a performing arts teacher, lecturer, and education consultant. Then I transitioned into tech, previously working in telecoms tech and at a satellite operator. A few years ago, I took the plunge and left my previous job, feeling there was something else to explore. Now, I’m building on digital security and identifying gaps in what people fundamentally need; security is a foundational human requirement, and identity is a significant part of that.

Speaking of the digital world, tell us about some of the projects you spearheaded as chair at the Digital Forum of the Isle of Man?

We developed the Isle of Man’s Tech Map, which lists the different tech providers in the region. In a small community like the Isle of Man, you might think you know everyone, but we discovered over 70 tech providers among 80,000 people which is amazing. This awareness facilitates more collaboration and has a clustering effect. I’m excited about what the forum has achieved as a community, especially since our product isn’t limited to the Isle of Man, even though we operate from here.

You co-founded the Isle of Man Internet Exchange (ManxIX). What inspired that, and what impact did it have?

One of the challenges of being a small but mighty powerful nation is democratising the Internet, due to less eyeballs on screens causing less people to bring down the cost of that service. Telecoms infrastructure is hugely expensive to run, maintain, and secure. So by putting an Internet Exchange into the island, it acts as a hub for service providers, increasing efficiency by reducing the need to send data around the world and thus lowering costs. While it’s not an overnight solution and won’t instantly bring costs down, it’s part of the journey to collaboration and aiding people to be able to access the internet and build exciting and innovative projects on top of that because it’s not as expensive.

With your background in teaching, how has that influenced your leadership skills?

Initially, I didn’t realise I had transferable skills from teaching, but in education, especially performing arts, I learned to create safe spaces for creativity and innovation. These are skills I carry into leadership, fostering environments where people can excel. Seeing people reach their full potential is a source of personal satisfaction for me, and I’ve taken that with me outside of education.

Does your experience in performing arts help with public speaking now?

While I still get nervous, reframing it as excitement helps. My background helped me script and produce a quick video for a marketing video recently and I got our UX designer involved because he’s a natural in front of the screen. Then we recorded our two-minute script in a makeshift production unit, which took us about two hours in total, and I really enjoyed bringing in my creative skills.

Do you still engage in performing arts as a hobby?

I used to sing in a band until recently, which was great fun, but it became difficult with two children—one being eighteen and the other being four. Though I’ve stopped for now, I’ve started a smaller local project. I love singing, attending performances, and watching shows.

How do you wind down?

I go to the gym. It helps me clear my mind. Being mindful is important to remain focused throughout the day.

Were you always interested in technology?

I became more interested in tech after leaving teaching. What I love about technology is its ever-evolving nature; you must stay informed. It suits my curiosity because there’s always something new to learn.

Last question – how do you take your coffee?

An oat milk flat white is my go-to!

Click here for a link to the interview.

In this case study, we explore how digital identity verification can successfully address key challenges, demonstrating its impact in transforming public sector processes.

Solving Public Sector Pain Points: 

The need for independent validation of corporate ownership data has never been more pressing. As countries around the world intensify efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and financial crimes, understanding Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) has become a key global priority. Findings by the International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (FACTI Panel) estimates;

  • $500 billion losses to governments each year from profit-shifting enterprises;
  • $7 trillion in private wealth hidden in haven countries, with 10% of world GDP held offshore;
  • Money laundering of around $1.6 trillion per year, or 2.7% of global GDP.

One of the most effective tools in this battle is the beneficial ownership registry, but ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the information held within often presents a challenge. Certified digital identity solutions could provide the answer. 

What is a Beneficial Ownership Registry?

A beneficial ownership registry is a database that records the individuals who have significant control over, or who stand to benefit from, a legal entity such as a company or trust. The goal is to bring transparency to the ownership structure of companies, making it harder for criminals to hide behind complex corporate arrangements.

According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global authority on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, a UBO is “the natural person(s) who ultimately owns or controls a customer or the natural person on whose behalf a transaction is being conducted.” This definition extends to those who exercise ultimate control over a legal entity, typically individuals who directly or indirectly own more than 25% of a company’s shares or voting rights.

The Challenges of UBO Disclosure

Identifying UBOs is not always straightforward. Ownership can be deliberately obscured through layered holding structures, spread across multiple jurisdictions with differing disclosure rules. This creates a significant challenge for authorities and regulators trying to track the real beneficiaries of a company. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasised this critical risk in their 2022 whitepaper ‘A guide to Beneficial Ownership Transparency’, noting that countries should have mechanisms to ensure the accuracy of the data submitted.

FATF defines accuracy in the context of beneficial ownership information as having been “verified to confirm its accuracy by checking the identity and status of the beneficial owner using reliable, independently sourced or obtained documents, data, or information.” Given the complexities involved, independent validation of beneficial ownership data is critical. Without robust mechanisms, beneficial ownership registries run the risk of being inaccurate or incomplete, which leaves the system vulnerable to financial crime.

A Leading Example

One country that has made significant strides in beneficial ownership verification is Denmark. The Danish system integrates digital identity tools such as ‘MitID’ – a government-issued digital ID – with its beneficial ownership registry. MitID connects to an individual’s civil registration number, as well as their address in the Danish Address Register, enabling authorities to automatically cross-check all of the information submitted against trusted databases. This reduces the risk of both unintentional errors and fraud, ensuring a higher level of data accuracy.

However, while Denmark’s approach provides a model initiative in respect of the country’s resident beneficial owners, it does have limitations. Non-residents are ineligible for a MitID, necessitating an additional identity verification process for this group of beneficial owners. This adds complexity and relies on more traditional, less streamlined methods. 

Fostering an Inclusive Cross-Border Approach

Countries and jurisdictions without government-issued digital identity systems, or with foreign national UBOs, are increasingly turning to private sector digital identity solutions to validate their data. It is crucial however, that only digital identity providers certified to a recognised government standard – such as DIATF in the UK or eIDAS in the EU – are onboarded. This ensures that the verification process meets stringent regulatory and security benchmarks, providing a high level of trust and reliability. Find out how SQR’s certified digital identity solution is being leveraged in this way here.

This type of collaboration between public and private sectors fosters the creation of innovative, tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each jurisdiction while also leveraging the advantages of reusability. For instance, individuals with a certified digital identity from an approved provider can seamlessly share their pre-verified identity information with the relevant authorities. This approach not only streamlines the verification process but also ensures adherence to stringent government standards, significantly mitigating the risk of fraud and enhancing the integrity of beneficial ownership data.

The Future of UBO Verification

Countries and jurisdictions without government-issued digital identity systems, or with foreign national UBOs, are increasingly turning to private sector digital identity solutions to validate their data. It is crucial however, that only digital identity providers certified to a recognised government standard – such as DIATF in the UK or eIDAS in the EU – are onboarded. This ensures that the verification process meets stringent regulatory and security benchmarks, providing a high level of trust and reliability. Find out how SQR’s certified digital identity solution is being leveraged in this way here.

The use of independent digital identity systems represents a crucial step forward in improving the accuracy and security of beneficial ownership databases. By fostering collaboration between governments and the private sector, countries can implement innovative, scalable solutions that address the growing demands of the global regulatory environment. Ultimately, these advances will empower authorities to better tackle financial crime, increase public trust, and enhance the integrity of beneficial ownership data worldwide.

A secure, efficient and inclusive digital identity system offers a wide range of benefits. By adopting certified digital identity solutions, governments and organisations can streamline operations, build public trust, and create a more secure and transparent digital ecosystem. 

The benefits of secure, efficient and inclusive digital identity

A certified digital identity solution provides a reliable and verifiable source of information, minimising errors often associated with manual verification processes. This is particularly crucial for company beneficial ownership data, where accuracy is paramount to ensure transparency and accountability. By verifying the legitimacy of ownership, digital identity systems ensure that only authorised individuals can access sensitive information or claim beneficial ownership. This significantly reduces fraudulent activity, protecting both individuals and organisations.

Governments around the world face stringent regulatory requirements for transparency, anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT). Certified digital verification identity solutions also help meet regulatory obligations, by providing a secure and trusted method for verifying beneficial owners. Automating and standardising the identity verification process further ensures that organisations are compliant with complex regulations, whilst also reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties.

Managing large datasets manually is time-consuming and prone to errors. Thus, automating and streamlining data management and digital identity verification processes reduces administrative burdens and improves operational efficiency. This more accurate processing of ownership and identity data, in turn leads to better decision-making and resource allocation for governments and businesses. With a certified digital identity system, sensitive data related to ownership is better protected against breaches, thanks to robust encryption and authentication processes. These enhanced security measures ensure that sensitive information remains protected, and helps to maintain the integrity of ownership records.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to verify identities across borders is essential for multinational organisations and cross-border transactions. Certified digital identity solutions have the ability to integrate with international databases, ensuring consistency and reliability in identity verification on a global scale. It further plays a key role in enhancing global interoperability, as they enable integration with international databases. This is crucial for verifying identities consistently across borders, supporting multinational entities and cross-border transactions.

Additionally, governments that utilise certified digital identity verification systems can strengthen public confidence by demonstrating their commitment to transparency and safeguarding ownership data integrity. Furthermore, collaboration between governments and certified identity verification service providers fosters innovation. By partnering with cybertech firms, governments leverage advanced technology to develop scalable, compliant, and secure solutions for managing beneficial ownership databases.

This synergy benefits both parties, allowing governments to implement modern solutions while enabling tech firms to design systems aligned with regulatory needs.

Rebecca Glassey, Product & Operations Manager at SQR:

“Certified digital identity solutions are the cornerstone of secure, accurate data management in the modern era. By collaborating closely with government entities, we ensure that our technology not only meets the highest regulatory standards but also delivers the scalability and security that public systems demand. It’s all about providing a seamless and trusted verification process, while reducing the risk of fraud and errors in critical government datasets like beneficial ownership registers.”

Steven Webster, Head of Strategic Partnerships at SQR:

“Our work with government agencies highlights the immense value of public-private collaboration in tackling complex challenges such as identity verification. By partnering with certified Identity Service Providers, governments can adopt cutting-edge technology that ensures transparency and security in managing beneficial ownership data. This level of cooperation fosters innovation and enables both parties to create solutions that are not only efficient but also adaptable to the evolving regulatory landscape.”

For more details on how SQR’s certified digital identity solution is being implemented in collaboration with governments, refer to this SQR article.

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