Events | 01 Jan 2023
Spotlight on Financial Services
Our 2023 Spotlight on Financial Services week brought together experts and industry leaders to discuss what’s hot in the financial services sector.
There are sessions covering digital assets, ESG greenwashing risks, cyber risks, insurance for Australian Financial Services Licence holders, how property funds can manage a challenging market, digital asset regulation, superannuation and renewable financing.
Digital Assets – where are we at and where are we headed with digital asset regulation in Australia?
Hosted by John Bassilios
Various recent events are set to shape the digital asset landscape in Australia, including ASIC taking action against numerous digital assets businesses; Treasury releasing a Token Mapping Consultation Paper; and the joint media release by the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. Hear from a panel of experts about what this all means and where we are heading with digital asset regulation in Australia.
| Panellists | Blockchain APAC – Steve Vallas |
| BTC Markets – Caroline Bowler | |
| DigitalX – Lisa Wade | |
| Zerocap – Ryan McCall |
ESG and ‘greenwashing’ risk – ASIC’s enforcement approach, and ESG-related civil action. What does the future look like for the financial services sector in Australia?
Hosted by Jacob Uljans
What is ASIC’s approach to greenwashing enforcement in the financial services sector and what are the civil litigation possibilities against financial services businesses arising from ESG issues? Learn more from highly regarded trial and appellate advocate Tomo Boston KC on what the future might hold for Australian financial services entities with respect to ESG and greenwashing risks.
| Presenter | Tomo Boston KC, Queen Street Chambers |
Navigating the market for property funds
Hosted by Harry New & Vanessa Murphy
The current real estate market is presenting different challenges for property fund managers than those that they have been faced with in recent years. Hear from our panel of industry experts, who discussed how property funds are managing the current market, and the potential opportunities coming out of a changing real estate landscape.
| Panellists | Australian Unity – Louise Cahill-Mulvogue |
| Haben – Melissa Kingham | |
| Newmark Capital – Chris Langford | |
| Qualitas – Daniel Mote |
Cyber risk profile for financial services organisations
Hosted by Eden Winokur & James Morvell
The financial sector is particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks. Financial services businesses make for particularly attractive targets because of their crucial role in intermediating funds.
This webinar delved into what companies have learned from previous breaches, how to navigate the changing landscape of cyber security and much more.
| Panellists | Gallagher – Theresa Lewin |
What’s next for renewable energy projects? The commercialisation of new technologies, including hydrogen, batteries and offshore wind
Hosted by David Cooper
Where to next for renewables? Partner David Cooper leads a panel session where renewables industry experts discussed their views on the current state of the market for renewable energy projects. Hear our panellists engage on a range of issues impacting the industry, including the emergence of new renewable energy technologies and how the market is reacting.
| Guest speakers | Australian Renewable Energy Agency – Dr Cameron Kelly |
| Renewables and infrastructure expert – Kieren Boesenberg | |
| Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation – Viet Pham | |
| MUFG – Chau Phan-Vu |
Federal Budget 2023-24: what it means for you
Hosted by Anthony Bradica & Todd Bromwich
Our internationally recognised Tax team unpacked the tax, business and legal implications of the 2023-24 Federal Budget. During this webinar, our tax experts examine the key taxation announcements, particularly those relevant to large multinationals, the resources sector, small and medium businesses and superannuation funds and members. We also outline the ESG initiatives that were announced, plus Budget implications for the health, aged care and disability, and the social and affordable housing sectors.
| Guest presenter | Westpac Business Bank – Jarek Kowcza |
Financial services networking drinks with keynote speaker Steve McKnight: the power of programming – how to unlock the code to real and lasting wealth
Hosted by Adrian Verdnik
'The power of programming' when it comes to money and wealth creation was the topic of discussion at our financial services networking session with keynote speaker Steve McKnight, accomplished investor and one of Australia's most successful business authors.
Listen to Steve’s thought-provoking session about how to avoid the consumption trap, about thinking differently about our relationship with money, and about the value of thinking about being 'rich' in terms of time and not materialism.
Current issues & trends for M&A in the financial services sector
Hosted by Chris Brown
An increase in M&A activity is thought likely next year as companies search for growth and rationalisation in a challenging economic landscape.
Hear from our panel of experts across investment banking, wealth management and insurance, as they explored the current M&A trends and developments in financial services.
| Panellists | Barrenjoey – Anthony Brasher |
| Berkshire Global Partners – Nelson Lam | |
| PSC Insurance – David Hosking | |
| PSK Financial Services – Paul Aspros |
Insurance considerations for AFSL holders
Hosted by Philip Hopley
With a number of AFSL holders experiencing difficulties obtaining compliant policies, our expert panel delved into the state of the insurance market, key considerations for AFSL holders in terms of obtaining compliant cover and the consequences of not doing so.
| Panellists | Aon – Sarah Thorne |
| Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance – Nikolce Stojcevski |
How can superannuation trustees help their members to meet their retirement income needs?
Hosted by Anne MacNamara
With the superannuation industry struggling to keep up with increasing regulation, this webinar provided an opportunity to explore the key issues and the way forward. This session covered topics including the retirement income covenant, and will address such questions as: Can super trustees expand their retirement income response using calculators? What are the recommendations from the Levy Report that should be adopted to facilitate advice to retirees?
| Panellists | Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation – Amy Ward |
| Financial Advice Association of Australia – Sarah Abood | |
| Mercer – Tim Jenkins |
Investment Funds 
Banking & Finance 
Cyber 
Corporate & Commercial 
Litigation & Dispute Resolution 
Insurance 
Mergers & Acquisitions