Favourites with Geoff Brunsdon AM FAICDLife

Geoff Brunsdon AM FAICDLife on the interests and insights that have shaped his career.

Most valued career lesson?

I started my career as an investment banker. At the time, I thought I knew everything. I certainly thought I knew a lot more than my clients. However, I had a number of experiences where I realised the client knew more than I did. So it was absolutely imperative, if I was going to be successful, that I learned to listen to people.

Risk you took that paid off unexpectedly?

I took career retirement when I was 41. I’d been through a series of mergers and international investment bank acquisitions, and was ready for new challenges. I went to Canada for three months skiing. Returning to Australia, I found a multitude of opportunities. People I’d worked with as an investment banker said, “Would you be interested in joining our board? We’d value your perspective around the table.” The foundation of my board career started then.

How do you manage a challenging diary?

You have to be clear about what your priorities are, including creating time for yourself. The other important message is being comfortable that “No” is a complete sentence.

What governance issue keeps you awake at night?

Boards need to urgently reassess strategic priorities and capital plans in the face of seismic shifts in geopolitical alliances and the potential for conflicts to disrupt channels to markets and supply chains. With criminal and state-backed organisations so active in the cyber space, it is imperative boards ensure data governance frameworks are robust and able to handle these growing data privacy and security threats. The governance structure around AI use must ensure risks are managed and aligned with company values.

Your preferred method to de-stress?

I love the ocean and I’m lucky to have friends who sail. I also love spending a night on my boat on the upper reaches of the Hawkesbury River, waking up to the sound of water lapping on the hull and, in summer, the buzz of cicadas in the gum trees.

The passion project that gives you purpose?

Redkite supports families who have kids with cancer. I was a director [and chair] for many years and continue to be involved as a patron. It’s gone from strength to strength and has a great management team. I get a lot of satisfaction seeing the impact the organisation has on families who have to manage through — either to full recovery or bereavement — the cancer journey of their child.

Your favourite book, film or TV show?

My wife calls cricket “the white noise of summer”. I love watching cricket and tennis. I read Neil Howe’s The Fourth Turning Is Here, which contemplates the predictability of the evolution of society and looks specifically at the current environment we’re in and the potential for global conflict. He even goes so far as to predict when it will start and when it will finish. I found that social analysis absolutely fascinating.

This article first appeared under the headline 'Favourites' in the June 2025 issue of Company Director magazine.