AICD Chair, John Atkin, welcomes attendees to this year’s Australian Governance Summit and outlines the key themes and topics.

Speaker

• John Atkin FAICD, Chair, AICD
  

Respected chair and director, Catherine Livingstone, delivers a special address on the challenges of contemporary governance. Directors are operating in an uncertain environment and navigating a complex set of evolving issues. What is governance in a modern setting and how does it differ from compliance with regulations? How can boards best set strategy and deliver results for stakeholders? And how should directors respond to ambiguity and technological shifts?

Speaker

• Catherine Livingstone AO FAICD, Chair, Pacific National
  

Cyber security has emerged as one of the key challenges for Australian directors. All organisations remain under near constant pressure from online threats. How can boards best mitigate cybers risks? What measures are needed to protect organisations’ data? And how should directors respond if they have been attacked?

Speakers

• Cheng Lim, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
• Rachel Noble, Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate
  

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Commissioner Sue Woodward addresses the 2024 Australian Governance Summit and answers questions from the audience.

Speaker

• Sue Woodward AM, Commissioner, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

Moderator

• Phil Butler, Sector Lead, NFP, AICD

The shift to a less carbon-intensive economy will be fundamental transformation for Australia, generating fresh opportunities and also new challenges. At the same time, the Government’s upcoming requirements for climate reporting will have important consequences for boards. What does a best-practice strategy for the energy transformation look like? How can directors set climate targets for their organisations and monitor progress? How can boards get across the new climate reporting rules?

Speakers

• John Lydon GAICD, Co-Chair, Australian Climate Leaders Coalition
• Dr Larry Marshall FAICD, Director, Fortescue
• Karen Moses FAICD, Non-Executive Director

Moderator

• Christian Gergis GAICD, Head of Policy, AICD

Australia is confronting a series of challenging public policy issues, including: persistent inflation, disappointing productivity and subdued economic growth. Directors and boards should play a leading role in addressing these challenges, and the policy-making process. How can our director community best use its expertise and industry knowledge to inform policy discussions and influence decision-makers? What are some successful examples of companies or organisations actively shaping public policy? How can boards foster a culture of responsible advocacy and engagement in public policy discussions?

Speaker

• Peter Achterstraat AM FAICDLife, NSW Productivity Commissioner
• Rob Cole MAICD, Chair, Iluka Resources
• Su-Lin Ong GAICD, Chief Economist, RBC Capital Markets

Moderator

• Mark Thirlwell GAICD, Chief Economist, AICD

University of NSW Professor, Pamela Hanrahan, delivers her
annual address to the Australian Governance Summit, with information on significant regulatory and legislative developments. What are the key changes and how do they impact your board? 

Speaker

• Pamela Hanrahan, Professor of Commercial Law and Regulation, University of NSW

The nature of work has undergone a dramatic change over the last few years. Many organisations continue to embrace flexible work, but senior leaders are still debating the best approach. What challenges and opportunities are created by these new ways or working pose? How can organisations build a strong workplace culture if staff are not interacting face-to-face? Should boards and management specify how often workers visit the office?

Speakers

• Annette King FAICD, Director, HCF
• Sarah McCann-Bartlett FAICD, CEO, Australian HR Institute

Woolworths and Origin chair, Scott Perkins joins the Australian Governance Summit for a special conversation.

Speaker

• Scott Perkins, Chair, Woolworths

Speaker

• Australian Governance Summit 2024 MC

The 2024 Australian Governance Summit MC welcomes delegates to Day Two of the event and presents highlights from Day One.

Speaker

• Australian Governance Summit 2024 MC

Artificial intelligence has the potential to reshape our society and transform entire industries. This emerging technology comes with remarkable opportunities but also significant governance challenges. How should boards ensure their organisations are using AI appropriately? Which safeguards need to be introduced? What are the key risks of organisations not sufficiently embracing the use of AI? Leading AI expert and experienced board member, Dr Ayesha Khanna, joins the Australian Governance Summit to discuss these issues and more.

Speaker

• Dr Ayesha Khanna, Co-Founder & CEO, Addo
  

The AICD’s Managing Director and CEO, Mark Rigotti, outlines the organisation’s key priorities for the year ahead. 

Speaker

• Mark Rigotti MAICD, Managing Director & CEO, AICD

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Chair Joe Longo addresses the 2024 Australian Governance Summit and answers questions from the audience. 

Speaker

• Joseph Longo, Chair, Australian Securities and Investments Commission

The public service and government boards are presented with a dynamic set of challenges including: political influences, regulatory complexities and diverse stakeholder interests. Government organisations must also uphold robust ethical frameworks to guide their decision making and maintain public trust. How can we ensure maximum accountability and transparency in the public sector? What steps should be taken to minimise the risk of political interference? How can technology reshape the public sector and government boards?

Speakers

• Jane Halton AO FAICD, Chair, Council of the Ageing, Former Secretary, Department of Finance
• The Hon Gabrielle Upton FAICD, Board Director, ARC Centre of Excellence on Quantum Biotechnology, Former NSW Government Minister
  

It is vitally important for boards to have a successful working relationship with their organisation’s CEO and senior management. Directors and leading executives need to be aligned on strategy, and effectively collaborate on key matters. What are the optimal ways to set out roles and responsibilities for boards and management? How can the two groups best communicate with each other and debate challenging issues? Which measures should boards use to evaluate management and provide feedback?

Speakers

• Andrew Baxter FAICD, Chair, Pork Australia
• Lisa Gray GAICD, Director, Challenger
• Kate Russell, CEO, Supply Nation

Moderator

• Fi Mercer GAICD, CEO, GovernWith

Directors have a crucial role in spearheading efforts to create more inclusive workplaces for people with a disability. Boards should lead by example and emphasise a commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their organisations, from top to bottom. How should boards actively engage with people with disabilities to understand their needs and perspectives? And how can directors translate this feedback into actionable policies and practices? How should organisations prioritise accessible physical infrastructure and digital tools to create more inclusive workplaces?

Speakers

• Suzanne Colbert AM GAICD, Director, Living My Way
• Lillian Leigh GAICD, Board Member, NSW Cancer Council
• Dr Alastair McEwin AM GAICD, Commissioner, Disability Royal Commissioner

A career as a company director can be immensely enriching and rewarding. But securing your next board role may also be a challenging and complex process. Which factors could someone consider when deciding whether to join a particular board? How can directors determine if an organisation fits with their ambitions and values? What are the most effective means of building relationships and networking with the director community?

Professionals from the Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics fields can make valuable contributions to Australia’s boardrooms. Boards benefit from a diverse range of skillsets and backgrounds, and STEM knowledge can be vital for informed decision-making in our increasingly technology-driven environment. How can STEM expertise enhance a board’s ability to innovate and adapt to technological changes? What are some misconceptions that might stop STEM professionals from becoming directors? How can organisations actively recruit and encourage STEM professionals to join their boards? 

Speakers

• Professor Alan Duffy GAICD, Pro Vice-Chancellor Flagship Initiatives, Swinburne University of Technology
• Dr Nick Fleming GAICD, Chair, Engineers Australia
• Kate Pounder MAICD, CEO, Tech Council of Australia

Moderator

• Ivan Ah Sam, Head of Content and Communications, AICD

Many directors have had the misfortune of serving on a board that is not functioning optimally. Despite the best of intentions, some boards are unable to collaborate effectively and deliver the best possible outcomes for their stakeholders. What are the common causes of board dysfunction and how can they be avoided? How can directors prevent issues before they occur? And how should problems be addressed if they do arise?

Speakers

• Sally Carbon OAM FAICD, Director, G11 Team
• Shirley Chowdhary GAICD, Chair, Australian Institute of Architects
• Peter Wilson AM FAICD, Chair, Australian Network on Disability

Boards across Australian are now grappling with complex cultural, political, and social issues. Some stakeholders expect directors to discuss these matters and form a view on them. But how should boards examine these topics, and decide on a course of action? Which stakeholders should be consulted? And when is it appropriate for boards to express a public stance?

Speakers

• Patrick Langrell GAICD, Director, Portfolio, Strategy and Operations, ACU
• Taleen Shamlian MAICD, Managing Director, Advisory Street

Moderator

• Matt Pritchard, Head of Public Affairs, AICD

Chairs have a crucial role in ensuring their boards remain successful. The modern chair is faced with a range of challenges both inside and outside of the board room. What are the qualities and strategies that contribute to being an effective board chair? How should a chair resolve conflicts and build a consensus within the board room? Which steps should other directors take to provide feedback to a chair who is not performing?

Speakers

• Virginia Bourke FAICD, Chair, Mercy Health Boards
• Ewen Crouch AM FAICD, Chair, Corporate Travel Management
• Jane Spring AM FAICD, Chair, Disability Council NSW

Australia’s boardrooms are beginning to welcome a new generation of directors. These leaders will help our organisations to adapt and thrive in our constantly evolving governance landscape. Which fresh perspectives will these new directors bring? What is their outlook on our nation’s future? And how do they want to improve governance for tomorrow and beyond?

Speaker

• Australian Governance Summit 2024 MC