LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 9, 2026--
Ripjar, the AI-native provider of smarter screening solutions, has appointed Matt Mills as Chief Executive Officer to lead the company’s next stage of growth. Ripjar enables financial institutions and enterprises to transform anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and combat financial crime through more accurate and efficient customer screening and an integrated, dynamic view of risk.
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Matt Mills brings over fifteen years of experience scaling high‑growth technology companies in banking, payments, automation and security. Previously, he spent a decade at Featurespace as Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager, where he helped grow the organisation from twelve to more than four hundred employees before the company’s acquisition by Visa in 2024. Matt also led Innovation, Sales and Partnerships for Aurasma, later acquired by HP, where he expanded the business to over 10,000 commercial customers and partners during his three‑year tenure.
Illicit proceeds from criminal activity are estimated to account for 2-5% of global GDP, yet less than 1% of total funds from financial crime are seized or frozen by law enforcement agencies, according to the World Economic Forum. Regulatory scrutiny is also intensifying, driven in part by the roll out of the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), which heightens the risk of regulatory penalties for companies that transact with financial criminals. This increased oversight places pressure on financial institutions and enterprises to screen customers against sanctions, politically exposed persons (PEPs) and other watchlists efficiently and with pinpoint accuracy.
Founded by former members of the UK Intelligence Services in 2013, Ripjar enables customers to deploy smarter screening in one enterprise-ready platform, built on National Security grade technology with specialised, explainable AI. Its data agnostic approach simplifies integration and powers a dynamic and customer-specific view of regulatory and reputational risk. Ripjar enables smarter screening for more than 200 businesses worldwide, including tier 1 banks and large corporations. Results include a 99% reduction in data requiring manual review with a 5% increase in risk identified.
Matt’s appointment follows Ripjar’s recognition in the Chartis RiskTech100 2026 Winners list, the industry’s most authoritative benchmark of the world’s top risk technology providers, and the completion of a follow-on majority investment from Long Ridge Equity Partners in November 2024.
Matt Mills said, “I have been an admirer of Ripjar and its important work across screening and intelligence for some time. Ripjar has consistently excelled at protecting countries, banks and corporate entities. Financial institutions and enterprises are the first line of defence against financial crime. Our screening technology empowers them to make smarter decisions that defend their businesses and disrupt the crime economy.”
“Matt brings a powerful combination of deep domain expertise and a proven track record of leading and scaling innovative, high-growth businesses,” said Jason Melton, Partner at Long Ridge, the majority owner of Ripjar. “Mills will accelerate Ripjar’s go-to-market strategy and global expansion to meet increasing market demand for smarter, more efficient customer screening solutions. We’re excited to welcome him onboard.”
About Ripjar:
Founded in 2013, Ripjar enables financial institutions and enterprises to transform anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and combat financial crime with smarter customer screening and an integrated, dynamic view of risk.
Built on National Security grade technology, Ripjar improves the accuracy and efficiency of screening operations in one enterprise-ready platform with specialised, explainable AI. Its platform is proven to address large-scale challenges and is trusted by financial services and enterprise organisations of all sizes. Ripjar serves more than 200 businesses, including tier 1 banks and large corporations around the world.
The company was founded by former members of the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and operates globally with headquarters in the UK.
For more information, visit ripjar.com and follow @Ripjar on LinkedIn.
Matt Mills, CEO, Ripjar
MILAN (AP) — On the same day Amber Glenn won Olympic gold as part of the team event, and stepped away from social media due to backlash over her comments on politics and the LGBTQ+ community, the American figure skater ended up with another headache.
Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who produces music under the name CLANN, took to social media late Sunday to object to the use of his song “The Return,” which Glenn had used in her free skate — and has been using for the past two years without issue.
“So just found out an Olympic figure skater used one of my songs without permission for their routine. It aired all over the world ... what? Is that usual practice for the Olympics?” McKinnon posted to X, shortly after the team competition had ended.
Figure skaters are required to obtain permission for the music they use, but that process is hardly straightforward.
Sometimes the label or record producer owns the copyright, other times the artist themselves, and often there are multiple parties involved. Skaters sometimes will piece together different cuts of music, too. Throw in third-party companies such as ClicknClear that try to smooth out the permission process, and the entire copyright issue becomes murky and nuanced.
According to McKinnon, “The deal I have with my label is that I alone can give the OK to license my music.”
Glenn was not available for comment on the music issue early Monday. She planned to take the day off from training and then leave Milan to practice elsewhere ahead of the individual women's event, which begins Feb. 17 with the short program.
Messages left by The Associated Press with U.S. Figure Skating about Glenn's copyright problem were not immediately returned.
The issue is not the first bit of controversy involving Glenn at the Milan Cortina Games.
The outspoken LGBTQ+ rights activist said she received threats on social media after saying during a pre-Olympics press conference that the queer community is going through a “hard time” amid the political climate under President Donald Trump.
“I was disappointed because I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking about being decent — human rights and decency,” Glenn said Sunday night, wearing an LGBTQ+ pin on her team jacket during the team medal ceremony.
“So that was really disappointing,” Glenn said, “and I do think it kind of lowered that excitement for this.”
Copyrights never used to be a problem in figure skating because the International Skating Union barred any music involving vocals, and most classical music is considered public domain. But when those rules were relaxed in 2014, and modern music began to be used, artists soon demanded that they receive compensation for their work.
It all came to a head at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when one of the indie artists who covered “House of the Rising Sun” objected to its use by American pairs skaters Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier. The ensuing lawsuit prompted the ISU to step in and try to develop systems that would help skaters avoid copyright infringement claims.
“It's never been an issue and then suddenly it is, and I don't understand why," Glenn told the AP ahead of the Winter Games. "I understand there was a big upset at the last Olympics because some artist — I’m sorry, they decided to be (jerks). Like, they couldn’t just appreciate this Olympic team competing? It wasn’t even their song to begin with; it was a cover.
“It’s not like we’re a TV show and playing music in the background for an emotional scene. It just feels like a cash grab for different companies, and it’s really upsetting that they can’t just appreciate that their music has inspired something creative.”
Justin Dillon, the director of high performance for U.S. Figure Skating, said the governing body has tried to help its skaters avoid any copyright claims. It is unclear whether the organization played any role in getting Glenn's music approved.
Numerous fans and even fellow skaters have been quick to rush to the American's defense.
“I’d be so honored that someone wants to skate to my music and give the music some amazing exposure,” said retired Canadian pairs skater Meagan Duhamel, a two-time Olympian and three-time medalist. "I used a piece of music for the 2018 Olympics and the artist was so excited she flew to the Olympics to listen and watch it live.”
After Nathan Chen won gold at the Beijing Games with a free skate set to “Rocket Man,” Elton John effusively praised the American for his performance. Chen later collaborated with the musical legend for a music video to a version of “Hold Me Closer.”
“We really rely on our music,” said Alysa Liu, part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team. "Without music, we’re not really our sport.”
AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Amber Glenn of the United States reacts to her scores after competing during the figure skating women's team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the figure skating women's team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the figure skating women's team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the figure skating women's team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Team USA's Amber Glenn celebrates with her gold medal after the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
