Interview with Gideon Elkayam, CEO & Founder of Obelis Group
18.12.2025
Q: What inspired you to start Obelis, and how has your original vision evolved?
When we opened Obelis European Authorized Representative Centre within Obelis, the idea was simple: manufacturers needed a trusted partner in Europe who would defend their interests, protect their reputation, and guide them through a regulatory landscape that was often unclear.
What inspired me was a belief that compliance should not be a barrier, it should be an enabler of growth and market access, safe and better quality of products on the shops shelves for the benefit of the EU users.
Over the years, the vision evolved from a service provider into a full ecosystem: a group of companies across Europe, the UK, the U.S., Türkiye, Switzerland, Canada and Israel, all connected by the same mission of making regulatory access simple, safe and strategic. What has never changed is our commitment to professionalism, ethics, and genuine partnership.
Q: Looking back at 2025, what do you consider the most defining moment for Obelis this year?
2025 will be remembered as a year of transformation.
If I had to choose one defining moment, it would be the consolidation of Obelis as a true Group of Companies with new acquisitions, new subsidiaries, and new governance structures that elevate us to an international level.
From integrating Macro in Türkiye to opening Obelis Canada, advancing the next acquisition in Israel, each milestone strengthened our vision of a unified global compliance platform.
It was the year Obelis moved from evolution to acceleration.
Q: How do you personally stay motivated and focused in such a fast-changing regulatory environment?
My motivation comes from two sources: responsibility and curiosity.
Responsibility toward our clients who rely on us for safety, market access, and peace of mind, and curiosity to understand every new regulatory shift faster and deeper than the market.
I stay focused because I truly love this field. Regulatory affairs are not static; they are dynamic, geopolitical, scientific, and strategic. Every day brings a new challenge, and I enjoy turning complexity into clarity.
Q: How do you personally stay motivated and focused in such a fast-changing regulatory environment?
My motivation comes from two sources: responsibility and curiosity.
Responsibility toward our clients who rely on us for safety, market access, and peace of mind, and curiosity to understand every new regulatory shift faster and deeper than the market.
I stay focused because I truly love this field. Regulatory affairs are not static; they are dynamic, geopolitical, scientific, and strategic. Every day brings a new challenge, and I enjoy turning complexity into clarity.
Q: What major regulatory or market shifts in 2025 had the biggest impact on Obelis and its clients?
2025 was marked by stronger enforcement across the EU, unprecedented scrutiny on Responsible Persons, and growing expectations for multi-market compliance strategies.
The Equal Pay Directive, the MDR/IVDR steady-state implementation, CPR reform, and increasing digital compliance obligations reshaped how manufacturers operate.
For Obelis, these shifts reinforced our added value: a trusted partner who brings structure, predictability, and expertise across multiple jurisdictions.
Q: Obelis has grown significantly over the years. What core values have guided you through this growth, and how do you ensure they remain central to the company’s culture?
Three values guide everything we do:
Ethics, Professionalism, and Respect.
As we grow, these values become even more important. We protect them through strong governance, transparent internal communication, and by empowering our managers to lead by example.
A company culture does not survive by chance; it survives by leadership, by consistency, and by our ability to correct ourselves when needed. This year, we made important progress in communication, alignment, and positive management, I am proud of that.
Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunities for innovation in regulatory services over the next 3–5 years?
Innovation will come from integration, digitalisation, and intelligence.
- Integrated compliance across regions (EU/UK/US/Turkey/Israel/Switzerland).
- Digital tools such as Zoho, EMAsphere and automated compliance workflows.
- AI-assisted regulatory intelligence that accelerates decision-making for clients.
The future belongs to companies that can combine human expertise with smart systems, and Obelis is positioning itself exactly there.
Q: What role do you see Obelis playing in shaping the future of compliance and supporting manufacturers in multi-market strategies?
Obelis is moving from being a European point of entry to becoming a global strategic compliance partner.
In the coming years, we will guide manufacturers not only into Europe but across several markets simultaneously, with a unified methodology, strong governance, and a growing network of local experts.
Our role is to give manufacturers something priceless: confidence. Confidence that they can expand safely, quickly, and sustainably.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to manufacturers entering the EU market in 2026, what would it be?
Prepare early, be transparent, and choose your partners carefully.
The EU is moving toward more enforcement, more traceability, and higher expectations of the Authorized Representative & Responsible Persons. Manufacturers who invest in strong compliance from the beginning gain a competitive advantage — those who underestimate it lose time, money, and reputation.
Compliance is not a cost. It is an investment in your credibility.
Q: On a personal level, what has been the most rewarding aspect of leading Obelis, and what continues to motivate you?
The most rewarding aspect is seeing people grow into employees, managers, partners, and clients.
After nearly four decades, I am still motivated by the same purpose: to build something meaningful, to create opportunities for others, and to see Obelis thrive long after my time as CEO.
This is why succession planning, governance, and developing strong managers are so important to me. Legacy is built by people.
Q: What is your message for the Obelis team as we head into 2026?
2026 will be the year of maturity, alignment, and acceleration.
We have everything we need — expertise, tools, culture, and leadership. What matters now is unity of purpose and clarity of execution.
My message is simple: Believe in yourselves, work as one team, and never forget the privilege and responsibility we have as compliance professionals.
I am proud of every member of our team.
Q: If you could go back to the very beginning of Obelis, what would you tell your younger self?
I would tell him three things:
• Trust your intuition — it will lead you far.
• The road will not be easy, but it will be meaningful.
• And finally: people will be your greatest challenge and your greatest achievement. Invest in them every day.
As Obelis steps into 2026, our mission remains unchanged: turn regulatory complexity into confidence, and compliance into a lasting competitive advantage for every manufacturer we serve.
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