Chair Forum 2024

Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones will outline the top policy priorities relating to the Treasury portfolio and financial services industry for 2024, followed by an audience Q&A.

An overview of the shifting commercial and regulatory landscape in the industry based on Conexus Institute analysis of the most recent APRA data.

This panel session will investigate whether the increasing size and influence of mega-funds is being passed on to members, and the opportunities and challenges that come with unprecedented inflows enjoyed by many funds following a period of intense consolidation.

Based on new research and taking a global perspective, this session will examine the growing impact that fiduciary investors have over financial markets, domestic economies and a range of social, environmental and civilisational challenges.

This interactive session will instruct chairs and directors on how to ensure their organisations are well-placed to avoid reputation-damaging incidents and respond effectively to them where they arise. It will draw on case studies of banks and financial institutions across the decade since the Global Financial Crisis.

This panel will look beyond superannuation to the key risks and challenges facing business and company boards, including cybersecurity, media, stakeholder and government relations and changing attitudes to shareholder capitalism and corporate social responsibility. It will also examine the implications of the new Financial Accountability Regime.

Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo will delve into First Nations engagement and collaboration opportunities for boards, including the construction and implementation of reconciliation action plans, co-investment projects and next steps for constitutional recognition.

The private breakfast is attended by chair and director delegates only (no sponsors or staff) and affords those in attendance the opportunity to speak directly, and in-confidence, about issues of common concern and interest. Ahead of the breakfast, delegates will be invited to submit questions and issues on-notice for discussion.

This session will examine the unfolding crises in the Middle East, alongside the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and strained relations between the US and China to ask how the dynamics of the global order are changing and whether organisations are unduly exposed to geopolitical risk.

This panel session will have a frank discussion about how funds intend to meet their net zero commitments, while also balancing regulator and press scrutiny over questionable or unjustified ESG claims. It will assist chairs and directors in getting an accurate picture of their climate risk and the extent to which environmental impact is or should be an objective of their fund.

Senior representatives of ASIC and APRA will separately outline their enforcement priorities in the superannuation sector for the 2024 calendar year.

This session, conducted under Chatham House rules, will involve a moderated Q&A with representatives of ASIC and APRA and delegates in which key regulatory compliance issues can be addressed and debated.

This session will hear from two experts in the emerging field of artificial intelligence, including both the technological advancements and commercial use cases, as well as the governance and ethical considerations.

Exclusive research will be presented which lays bare the deficit between member expectations of service, complaints handling, advice and transition to retirement.

The closing session will bring together the key themes of the forum, addressing regulator and member concerns around retirement and financial advice and optimal governance and organisational structures to take advantage of demographic tailwinds and technological change.