6 sessions you shouldn’t miss at the Australian Governance Summit

The AICD’s Australian Governance Summit will be held in Melbourne next week, bringing together 1,000 of Australia’s foremost boardroom leaders. From an exciting program that takes a deeper look at the latest governance trends, we have selected six sessions you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

Elizabeth Bryan keynote

To open the conference Elizabeth Bryan, Chair of Virgin Australia, will deliver a keynote setting the tone for the next two days.

Why you shouldn’t you miss it

Elizabeth Bryan is one of Australia’s most respected corporate leaders. As Chair of Virgin Australia and Caltex Australia and a director of Westpac, she has board expertise across a range of sectors and has worked in industries going through periods of dramatic change.

Bryan will eschew the usual bromides to explore in depth this year’s conference theme, addressing how directors can steward their organisations through the thicket of complexity characteristic of the times.

How to foster a culture of innovation

Is your board creating an environment in which innovative thinkers at your organisation can flourish? Hear from innovation experts on what you can do to get the most of your organisation’s most creative minds.

Why you shouldn’t you miss it

Innovation is the buzzword du jour and directors are constantly being warned to disrupt or be disrupted. But how can boards actually set up an organisation to innovate successfully? This session will provide practical answers and helpful hints from Inventium founder Dr Amanth Imber MAICD, KPMG Australia’s head of innovation James Mabbott and Fishburners Australia Chair Katherine Woodthorpe FAICD on how boards can create cultures which harness and reward innovation.

NFP: Setting up your board for long-term financial strength

Is your organisation’s financial future sustainable? Sector leaders examine the role that a well-equipped board can play in ensuring the long-term financial strength of your not-for-profit organisation.

Why you shouldn’t you miss it

For a long time, the not-for-profit sector has dealt with uncertain funding arrangements and the AICD’s research suggests that many NFPs’ margins are insufficient for long-term survival. If you are a director of an NFP, this session will be vital as Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner Susan Pascoe AM FAICD, Laura Anderson MAICD, Chair of Strategic Vision Global, Allan Myers AO QC, and journalist and sports governance expert Gideon Haigh share best practices in getting the right directors to ensure an NFP’s financial stregth.

Tales from the Corporate Battlefield

Hear from very experienced directors about the key challenges they have faced, the lessons they’ve learnt and the knocks they’ve taken and inflicted during their boardroom careers.

Why you shouldn’t you miss it

Theory is one thing, practice is another. Often the best way to learn is to hear about how the best in the field have dealt with similar problems before.

Conference MC and ABC 730 host Leigh Sales will moderate this candid, off-the-record discussion of the careers of John Peberdy GAICD, former Chair of the Country Fire Authority, Mike Fitzpatrick, outgoing Chair of the AFL, and Melinda Conrad FAICD, an OzForex and Australian Securities Exchange director.

Policy making for the long-term: one year on

How do today’s leaders overcome the constraints of short-termism? Our highly-esteemed panel will continue last year’s conversation on the opportunities and impediments for productivity, innovation and long-term public policy reform.

Why you shouldn’t you miss it

The ‘Policy making for the long-term’ session was among the biggest hits at last year’s inaugural Australian Governance Summit.

After a year of turmoil in world politics and inertia domestically, the AICD has brought the band back together with former state Premiers the Hon John Brumby AM FAICD and the Hon Nick Greiner AC FAICDLife, Graham Bradley AM FAICD, Chairman of Stockland Corporation Ltd, Christine Hawkins FAICD, Chair of Cinnabar International Pty Ltd, and Peter Nash MAICD, Chairman of KPMG Australia, joining together to discuss Australia’s lagging productivity, the urgency of reform and the dangers of short-termism.

The session will be critical in setting the policy agenda for the director community in the year ahead.

Simon McKeon keynote

Simon McKeon AO FAICD will close the summit bringing to bear the breadth of his experience across a glittering business and philanthropic career to the conference theme, ‘Directing in a complex environment’.

Why you shouldn’t you miss it

McKeon is among the most significant business thinkers of his generation. Frequently controversial and never dull, the former Australian of the Year’s is forthright and compelling in his views whether it be on what’s holding back Australian innovation, on how to get the best out of a board, the funding of science research, or the underutilisation of experienced executives on boards.

McKeon’s closing keynote will provide fresh and original perspectives to take back to your boardroom decision-making.

Limited places are still available for the Summit. To avoid missing out, register today.