Australian Tax summit

Name: Australian Tax summit
Start: 2025-10-13T21:30:00.000Z
End: 2025-10-14T09:10:00.000Z
Location: 1 Hotel Melbourne, Australia, Docklands, Australia

The Next Move: Finance Leadership in an Unforgiving Market

Tuesday 14 October 2025

1 Hotel Melbourne, Australia, Docklands

Hosted by Factor

20 attendees
12 hours

Overview

Finance leaders today face a challenging environment marked by sustained higher interest rates, increased capital costs, and heightened expectations from investors and stakeholders. This market leaves little margin for error, requiring a disciplined approach to capital allocation, cost management, forecasting, and risk oversight.

This session examines the strategies and priorities that define effective finance leadership in this context. It will consider how organisations are adapting to these pressures while balancing the demands of short-term performance with longer-term strategic objectives. The discussion will also highlight trends within the Australian financial landscape and how local institutions are responding to evolving global conditions.

What we will cover

Cost Management Exploring methods CFOs can use to strategically manage costs, driving resilience and growth in an uncertain economic environment.
Economic Volatility Examining strategies to navigate economic fluctuations, from inflation to supply chain disruptions, ensuring business continuity.
ESG Reporting Addressing the rising importance of transparent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, and its integration into financial decision-making.
Supply Chain Risk Discussing how CFOs are mitigating risks associated with supply chain instability, focusing on reshoring and improving supplier relationships.
Revenue Strategy Exploring ways CFOs can drive top-line growth by leveraging financial data and aligning strategies with broader business goals.
Finance Transformation Focusing on how CFOs can modernise the finance function with digital tools, improving efficiency, decision-making, and risk management.
Cybersecurity Governance Examining the increasing responsibility CFOs hold in protecting financial data from cyber threats, emphasising governance frameworks.
Talent Retention Exploring strategies for attracting and retaining top finance talent, especially in areas related to digital transformation.
Operational Efficiency Investigating how automation and process optimisation can streamline operations, freeing up resources for strategic initiatives.
CFO Strategy Discussing the growing mandate for CFOs to act as strategic business partners, influencing decisions beyond financial reporting.
Finance Automation Focusing on how CFOs are adopting AI to improve financial processes, enhance forecasting, and automate routine tasks.
Data Analytics Exploring the use of advanced data analytics platforms to provide actionable insights, supporting better decision-making.

Agenda

8:30 am Registration and Welcome Coffee(CFO Day)
8:50 am Welcome Address & Introduction(CFO Day)
9:00 am Strategic Leadership in 2025: Insights by Factor(CFO Day) As organisations navigate 2025, CFOs are redefining strategic leadership to focus on opportunities for growth, innovation, and resilience. Rather than being limited by external uncertainties, CFOs are leveraging emerging technologies, enhancing data analytics, and expanding their leadership roles. Recent insights reveal that CFOs are prioritising technological adoption, sustainable growth strategies, and enterprise agility to thrive in the evolving global economy. This session will showcase forward-looking approaches that are transforming the CFO function into a catalyst for organisational success. Discussion Points: Harnessing data analytics to unlock strategic growth opportunities and drive agile decision-making. Expanding the CFO's role to influence enterprise-wide strategy, integrating financial insights with operational goals. Leveraging technological innovation, including AI and automation, to achieve efficient growth and maintain competitive advantage.
9:20 am Resilience Through Regulation: Turning Australia’s 2025–26 Tax Reform into Strategic Value(CFO Day) Theme: Australia’s tax landscape is evolving rapidly, with the ATO receiving greater resources to expand compliance programs and new reform signals emerging from the Federal Budget. Tax leaders must adapt to heightened expectations around assurance, transparency, and governance. The challenge is to meet these requirements without adding unnecessary complexity, while also ensuring the tax function contributes directly to enterprise resilience and strategic value creation. Discussion Points: The ATO’s assurance and transparency demands are reshaping how tax teams structure reporting and governance. Reform signals around GST, capital gains, and superannuation highlight the need for scenario planning. Tax is increasingly being recognised as a contributor to enterprise stability and stakeholder confidence.
9:40 am Cross-Border Complexity: Managing Global Tax, Trade, and Capital Flow Risks(CFO Day) Theme: Global volatility is reshaping the way Australian enterprises approach tax. Tariff changes, supply chain disruptions, and the continued evolution of OECD and APAC frameworks are adding layers of complexity to already demanding compliance requirements. For tax managers, the responsibility is twofold: maintaining local compliance with ATO expectations while ensuring alignment with global rules across multiple jurisdictions. These challenges are compounded by growing investor scrutiny and the reputational risks of misalignment. The reality for Australian tax leaders is that global tax issues are no longer distant — they now directly shape local reporting, profitability, and the ability of enterprises to remain competitive. Discussion Points: Tariffs and global tax changes are directly influencing pricing models, supply chains, and profitability. Transfer pricing and treaty disputes remain one of the highest risks for enterprise groups. How can tax leaders position themselves as strategic partners in navigating global uncertainty while safeguarding compliance?
10:00 am Cashflow Cost Pressures: Responding to Tax Debt Reform and Liquidity Challenges(CFO Day) Theme: From July 2025, the removal of tax deductibility on General Interest Charge (GIC) has raised the effective cost of arrears to more than 11 percent annually. For Australian enterprises, this reform elevates tax debt from a compliance afterthought to a material financial risk. Tax managers are now under pressure to integrate tax cashflow into enterprise liquidity planning, working closely with treasury to manage debt servicing, FX exposures, and capital allocation. At the same time, global tightening of interest rates and ATO’s stronger collection powers mean tax obligations must be forecasted and prioritised alongside other balance sheet pressures. The challenge is ensuring that tax risk does not erode working capital flexibility or undermine long-term financial resilience in a volatile global economy. Discussion Points: Non-deductible GIC has shifted tax arrears into a significant financial liability that requires proactive monitoring and governance. Liquidity planning now demands closer alignment of tax forecasting with treasury, ERP systems, and enterprise risk models. How can Australian tax managers build early-warning processes that prevent arrears from escalating and protect resilience against global financial volatility?
10:30 am Digital Tax Architecture: Embedding Compliance into Enterprise Systems(CFO Day) Session Topic 4: Digital Tax Architecture: Embedding Compliance into Enterprise Systems Theme: By 2026 the ATO’s digital-first agenda, combined with the rollout of e-Invoicing, Single Touch Payroll Phase 2, and real-time GST assurance, will require enterprises to embed tax logic directly into ERP and finance platforms. For tax managers, this means moving beyond retrospective reporting toward proactive, system-led compliance that can withstand ATO analytics and audit reviews. The challenge lies in aligning automation, RPA, and AI tools with robust governance and data quality standards while also integrating tax workflows into wider finance transformation programs. As APAC economies accelerate digital tax adoption, Australian enterprises must ensure their systems are built for interoperability, accuracy, and resilience. Discussion Points: ERP and finance transformation projects increasingly require embedded tax configuration to meet ATO’s real-time assurance requirements. Automation, AI, and RPA are becoming central to handling high-volume GST, PAYG, and corporate tax data with speed and accuracy. How can tax managers position themselves to shape enterprise-wide digital architecture and ensure compliance resilience in a regional and global reporting environment?
10:50 am Networking Break & Morning Tea(CFO Day)
11:50 am Revolutionising Financial Management(Cloud Accounting) Harnessing cloud platforms to streamline accounting operations and improve accuracy.
11:50 am Protecting Financial Health(Risk Mitigation) Balancing risk and opportunity with advanced strategies in risk management.
11:50 am Streamlining Financial Workflows(Process Automation) How automation is transforming finance processes for enhanced accuracy and speed.
11:50 am Achieving Seamless Operations(Operational Efficiency) Maximising resources and minimising waste to enhance financial department efficiency.
11:50 am Optimising Liquidity Strategies(Cash Management) Modern tools and techniques to ensure optimal cash flow for business stability
11:50 am Mastering Modern Budgeting(Financial Planning) Exploring innovative approaches to financial planning for adaptive business growth.
11:50 am Maximising ROI on Costs(Expense Optimisation) Exploring ways to cut unnecessary expenses while improving organisational value.
11:50 am Preparing for Uncertainty(Budget Forecasting) The role of forecasting tools in navigating market volatility and ensuring readiness.
11:50 am Maintaining Financial Discipline(Spend Control) Strategies to monitor, manage, and optimise corporate spending effectively.
11:50 am Driving Decisions with Data(Data Analytics) Leveraging analytics for actionable insights and strategic financial leadership.
0:15 pm ESG and Tax Alignment: Preparing for Carbon Pricing and Sustainability Reporting(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: From July 2025, large Australian enterprises will be required to align with mandatory climate disclosure standards under ASIC and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) framework. At the same time, carbon pricing and sustainability-linked financing are moving from policy debate into operational reality, directly influencing capital allocation and profitability. For tax managers, the ESG agenda is no longer peripheral. It now requires integration into tax planning, reporting, and governance. The opportunity lies in leveraging ESG-linked credits, offsets, and incentives while ensuring disclosures are accurate, consistent, and trusted by regulators and investors. Tax is becoming a critical touchpoint in how enterprises demonstrate both compliance and sustainability leadership. Discussion Points: Carbon pricing, mandatory climate disclosures, and sustainability reporting are turning tax into a driver of both enterprise risk and strategic opportunity. ESG-linked tax incentives, offsets, and credits are reshaping how enterprises fund transformation and manage long-term investment. How can tax managers work with sustainability, finance, and legal teams to ensure climate-related disclosures are transparent, credible, and audit-ready?
0:35 pm Tax Transparency in the Spotlight: Meeting ATO and Stakeholder Expectations(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: From 2025, the ATO’s expansion of the Corporate Tax Transparency program, combined with Australia’s adoption of ISSB-aligned sustainability reporting and ASIC’s mandatory climate disclosure regime, is pushing transparency into the centre of enterprise accountability. For tax managers, this is no longer just about compliance. It is about ensuring that income tax, GST, and ESG-linked reporting are consistent, accurate, and credible. Investors, regulators, and the public increasingly view tax outcomes as a proxy for governance maturity and social responsibility. The task now is to make transparency not only an obligation but a source of trust and long-term enterprise value. Discussion Points: Corporate tax transparency is becoming a reputational benchmark as regulators and investors intensify scrutiny. New ATO and ASIC frameworks are requiring more granular, integrated disclosure across tax, ESG, and climate reporting. How can tax managers use transparency as a strategic tool to demonstrate justified trust and strengthen enterprise credibility?
0:55 pm Transfer Pricing Pressures: Tax Risks and APAC Financial Challenges(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: Transfer pricing has become one of the most contested areas of international tax, with the ATO intensifying audits and APAC authorities adopting stricter enforcement approaches. For Australian tax and finance teams, the stakes are rising as documentation standards tighten, cross-border arrangements face heightened scrutiny, and disputes risk escalating into material financial exposures. The added complexity of OECD’s global minimum tax rules, digital economy taxation, and intangible asset valuation is forcing tax leaders to align local practices with global policy while protecting profitability. In 2025–26, transfer pricing is no longer just a technical compliance issue — it is a strategic challenge that directly impacts enterprise finance, governance, and reputation. Discussion Points: Transfer pricing disputes continue to be one of the highest financial and reputational risks for Australian enterprises, requiring defensible governance. Diverging APAC regimes are creating operational and financial pressure through greater risk of double taxation. How can tax managers develop strategies that integrate compliance, finance, and global policy alignment to reduce risk and support enterprise value?
1:15 pm Executive Round Table Redefining Finance: Intelligent Governance, Real-Time Decisions, and Scalable Compliance. As finance leaders navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, the mandate has never been clearer: build a future-ready finance function that is transparent, resilient, and intelligent by design. This roundtable will explore how CFOs can integrate ethical governance, real-time data, and strategic automation to strengthen trust with stakeholders and regulators, while simultaneously enhancing agility, accuracy, and strategic value. Join your peers to unpack how integrated systems, automated processes, and embedded intelligence across tax, accounting, and reporting are transforming the finance function from a compliance centre to a strategic powerhouse. Key Discussion Points: From Compliance to Confidence: How can ethical, transparent reporting practices enhance stakeholder trust and meet growing regulatory expectations? Real-Time Intelligence, Real-World Impact: What does a connected, data-led finance ecosystem look like — and how does it enable faster, smarter decision-making? Automate to Accelerate: Where should CFOs prioritise automation across tax, accounting, and reporting to unlock capacity and reduce risk? Governance as Growth Strategy: How can intelligent, integrated governance frameworks drive both compliance and competitive advantage?
1:15 pm Lunch Break - Peer Connect
2:15 pm Mastering Fund Allocation(Treasury Optimisation) Approaches to optimise liquidity and improve overall financial flexibility.
2:15 pm Innovating with Technology(Digital Transformation) Integrating digital tools to reimagine financial operations and drive change.
2:15 pm Mapping Financial Futures(Strategic Planning) Integrating strategy with financial goals for long-term organisational success.
2:15 pm Enhancing Financial Transactions(Payment Processing) Modernising payment systems for faster, more secure, and cost-efficient processes.
2:15 pm Enhancing Bottom Lines(Profitability Analysis) Key metrics and tools to assess and boost profitability in competitive markets.
2:15 pm Unveiling Business Potential(Enterprise Insights) Using financial insights to uncover hidden opportunities and drive enterprise value.
2:15 pm Tracking Financial Health(Performance Metrics) Defining and using key metrics to benchmark and achieve financial goals.
2:15 pm Ensuring Financial Integrity(Compliance Management) Best practices to stay ahead in regulatory compliance and risk management.
2:15 pm Cutting Costs Strategically(Cost Reduction) Proven methods for sustainable cost reduction without compromising quality.
2:40 pm Tax and Technology Convergence: AI, RPA, and Finance Transformation(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: The ATO’s push toward digital-first compliance and real-time assurance is accelerating the adoption of advanced technology in tax and finance functions. For Australian tax managers, this convergence means integrating AI, robotic process automation (RPA), and data analytics into ERP and finance transformation programs. The challenge is to move beyond automation as a cost-saving tool and instead ensure that technology enhances tax governance, data quality, and audit readiness. With APAC peers advancing digital tax reforms, Australian enterprises must position their tax and finance systems to remain competitive, compliant, and resilient in a data-driven regulatory environment. Discussion Points: AI, RPA, and analytics are transforming tax workflows, reducing manual errors, and strengthening compliance efficiency. Embedding tax into ERP and finance transformation projects is now critical for resilience and audit readiness. How can tax managers govern technology adoption to ensure integrity, while also using digital tools to deliver enterprise-wide financial insights?
3:00 pm GST Evolution: Real-Time Compliance and Indirect Tax Challenges(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: The ATO is steadily advancing toward real-time GST assurance, requiring enterprises to reconcile transactional data with tax reporting more frequently and with greater precision. For Australian tax managers, this shift brings new complexity, as indirect tax now sits at the intersection of compliance, finance transformation, and cashflow forecasting. With APAC markets like India and Singapore already operating real-time digital GST models, Australian enterprises must prepare for similar expectations around accuracy, transparency, and system integration. In this environment, tax managers are being asked to safeguard data quality, strengthen ERP design, and anticipate how indirect tax policy shifts could reshape enterprise liquidity and reporting obligations in 2025–26. Discussion Points: Real-time GST reconciliation is becoming a critical part of compliance as the ATO strengthens oversight. Poor data governance in indirect tax creates risks that affect both compliance integrity and enterprise cashflow. How can tax managers embed GST processes into finance systems to improve accuracy, resilience, and transparency across the enterprise?
3:20 pm Tax Risk and Governance: Embedding Controls into Finance Strategy(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: For Australian tax managers, risk and governance have become central to how the tax function is measured in 2025–26. The ATO’s justified trust reviews and expanding governance expectations now require tax leaders to demonstrate not just compliance accuracy but robust, documented control environments that align with enterprise finance and board oversight. Tax is increasingly viewed as a proxy for broader governance maturity, where gaps in controls signal wider financial or reputational vulnerabilities. In this environment, governance is no longer optional, it is an essential marker of transparency, trust, and long-term enterprise resilience. Discussion Points: Tax governance is becoming a board-level issue, with the ATO testing the effectiveness of documented frameworks and internal controls. Enterprise risk management now requires tax to be integrated with finance, audit, and compliance oversight. How can tax managers move from reactive issue resolution to proactive governance practices that enhance resilience and stakeholder trust?
3:40 pm Tax Data Integrity: Building Accuracy for Real-Time Compliance(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: As the ATO accelerates its digital-first compliance agenda, Australian enterprises are expected to provide accurate, real-time tax data across GST, PAYG, and corporate reporting. For tax managers, the challenge lies in ensuring that data integrity is not compromised by system gaps, manual processes, or poor governance. With transparency now extending to ESG and ISSB-aligned reporting, the tax function is becoming the cornerstone of enterprise data credibility. In 2025–26, tax managers must secure data pipelines and embed controls that deliver audit-ready accuracy at scale. Beyond compliance, stronger data integrity also enables sharper financial insights, more reliable forecasting, and faster responsiveness to regulatory change, transforming the tax function into a source of resilience and strategic advantage. Discussion Points: Data integrity is now a critical risk area, with poor governance creating compliance and reputational exposure. Real-time compliance places pressure on ERP systems and tax workflows to deliver error-free reporting. How can tax managers strengthen tax data pipelines to ensure reliability under ATO and investor scrutiny?
4:10 pm Break(CFO Day - Plenary)
5:10 pm Capital Allocation and Tax Strategy: Linking Finance to Growth(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: In an environment of rising cost pressures and shifting tax reform, tax managers are being asked to provide more strategic input into capital planning. From the impact of accelerated depreciation and R&D offsets to the influence of global minimum tax rules, tax outcomes are shaping investment decisions across Australia’s enterprise sector. The expectation is no longer limited to compliance delivery but extends to helping finance leaders unlock growth through effective tax planning. In 2025–26, the ability to link tax strategy to capital allocation will be a defining capability for tax managers. Beyond managing incentives and exposures, the tax function is now expected to guide where and how capital is deployed, balancing risk, innovation, and shareholder expectations. This shift elevates tax managers into strategic partners whose insight directly influences enterprise competitiveness and resilience. Discussion Points: R&D tax incentives and depreciation regimes are influencing enterprise investment priorities. Global minimum tax and APAC reforms are narrowing flexibility in capital structuring. What role can tax managers play in shaping finance decisions that balance compliance with growth opportunities?
5:40 pm Indirect Tax in Focus: GST, Customs, and Supply Chain Impact(CFO Day - Plenary) Theme: Indirect tax has moved into the spotlight as the ATO increases scrutiny of GST reporting and APAC authorities tighten customs enforcement. For tax and finance managers in Australia, indirect tax is no longer a narrow compliance exercise. It is directly tied to supply chain continuity, pricing strategies, and enterprise liquidity. In 2025–26, gaps in GST or customs reporting can quickly translate into penalties, cashflow disruption, and reputational damage. As real-time indirect tax reporting expands globally, Australian enterprises must prepare ERP systems, strengthen data governance, and align finance workflows for greater transparency and integration. Strong indirect tax management is now expected to support compliance, protect cashflow, and contribute to enterprise resilience. Discussion Points: Tax and finance managers are facing greater ATO oversight, with GST and customs errors carrying direct financial and reputational consequences. Compliance is increasingly dependent on ERP integration and high-quality tax data that can withstand real-time reporting demands. The opportunity for tax leaders is to reposition indirect tax as a contributor to forecasting accuracy, liquidity planning, and operational efficiency.
6:10 pm Workforce and Capability: Building the Next-Gen Tax Function(Workforce, Cyber Security and Dispute) Theme: As compliance becomes more complex and technology reshapes finance systems, the skills required of tax and finance teams are shifting. For tax and finance managers in Australia, the challenge is not only keeping pace with regulatory changes from the ATO and global bodies but also building a workforce that is digitally capable, analytically strong, and strategically aligned. In 2025–26, the tax function must combine technical knowledge with skills in data analytics, automation, and ESG-linked reporting to remain relevant. This is no longer about filling technical roles alone. It is about creating a function that can anticipate change, adapt quickly, and provide trusted insights that support enterprise transformation and decision-making. Discussion Points: Tax and finance managers need to build teams with stronger capability in digital tools, analytics, and ESG reporting to meet 2025–26 expectations. Workforce planning must connect to enterprise finance and digital transformation strategies rather than operate in isolation. How can managers attract, retain, and develop the talent required to create a future-ready tax function that adds strategic value?
6:40 pm Litigation and Dispute Readiness: Preparing for ATO and Global Challenges(Workforce, Cyber Security and Dispute) Theme: The ATO’s expanded audit and dispute activity is placing new pressure on tax and finance managers to ensure that enterprise positions are defensible and well documented. In 2025–26, tax disputes are no longer limited to technical adjustments — they can escalate into material financial exposures and reputational risks. At the same time, global enforcement trends across APAC mean that cross-border arrangements are more likely to face dual scrutiny. For managers, dispute readiness requires building governance frameworks, strengthening documentation, and ensuring alignment between local practices and international standards. Beyond defence, the tax function must be prepared to engage proactively with regulators, boards, and investors to protect enterprise value and maintain trust. Discussion Points: Tax and finance managers must treat dispute readiness as a core capability, as ATO audits become broader and more intensive. Cross-border enforcement in APAC is increasing the likelihood of overlapping disputes and potential double taxation. How can tax teams strengthen governance, documentation, and engagement strategies to reduce exposure while protecting enterprise reputation?
7:10 pm Cybersecurity and Tax Data: Protecting Finance Integrity(Workforce, Cyber Security and Dispute) Theme: As tax reporting becomes increasingly digital, cyber risk is now a direct concern for tax and finance managers. The ATO’s push toward real-time reporting, combined with ERP upgrades, e-Invoicing, and cloud-based finance systems, means sensitive tax and financial data is more exposed than ever. In 2025–26, a single breach or data compromise can trigger regulatory penalties, disrupt operations, and erode investor trust. Protecting tax data integrity is no longer an IT-only issue, it is a shared governance responsibility where the tax function plays a critical role. For managers, the priority is to ensure tax processes are embedded with security protocols, aligned with enterprise risk frameworks, and resilient enough to withstand both cyberattacks and growing regulatory expectations. A secure tax environment is now fundamental to safeguarding compliance credibility and sustaining confidence at board level. Discussion Points: Tax and finance managers must treat cyber resilience as a core tax governance issue, with breaches carrying both financial and reputational consequences. ERP and cloud integrations require stronger data governance, encryption, and access controls to protect sensitive tax information. How can tax managers collaborate with IT, risk, and compliance teams to ensure tax reporting systems are both secure and regulator-ready?
7:40 pm End of Day & Closing Remarks + Networking Drinks(Workforce, Cyber Security and Dispute)

Speakers

Yien Hong · Chief Legal and Commercial Officer, Judo Bank Yien Hong is the Chief Legal and Commercial Officer at Judo Bank, Australia’s challenger bank dedicated to serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Since joining Judo in 2019, Yien has played a pivotal role in preparing the bank for its IPO and expanding her responsibilities to include first-line risk management and commercial procurement, driving the bank’s strategic growth and operational excellence. With over 20 years of experience in legal, corporate governance, and financial services, Yien has held senior roles at Deutsche Bank, National Australia Bank, and Linklaters in London. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide, and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Company Directors Course, bringing a strong blend of legal expertise and commercial insight to her leadership.
Kieran Rivett · Chief Financial Officer, MECCA Brands Kieran Rivett is the Chief Financial Officer at MECCA Brands, Australia’s leading beauty retailer. Since joining MECCA in 2024, Kieran has been instrumental in steering the company’s financial strategy, driving operational excellence, and leveraging data-driven insights to support sustainable growth. With a strong background in both finance and operations, he is known for transforming finance teams into strategic partners that enable business agility and customer-focused innovation. Prior to MECCA, Kieran held senior leadership roles across diverse industries, including Chief Operating Officer at Nine Buildings and Chief of Staff at frntlne. He is also a co-founder of Side Stage Ventures, where he supports innovative startups at the intersection of creativity and technology. Kieran’s broad experience and strategic mindset make him a respected voice on topics such as financial leadership, growth strategies, and the evolving role of finance in digital transformation.
Craig Baty · Vice President - Research & Advisory, Factor With over 30 years of C-level experience in ICT, HR, marketing, sales, operations, research, leadership, and international business, Craig is a notable tech industry leader.
Sam Nagra · CFO, Sonic Healthcare Sam Nagra is the Chief Financial Officer at Sonic Healthcare Australia Pathology, a leading provider of medical diagnostic services. With over 30 years of finance leadership experience across the UK and Australia, Sam has played a pivotal role in driving financial performance, operational efficiency, and strategic growth within Sonic Healthcare’s pathology businesses, including Douglass Hanly Moir, Southern IML, and San Pathology. Sam’s career began after studying Law at the University of Birmingham and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse. He later advanced his expertise through further studies at AGSM @ UNSW Business School. Known for his strong financial acumen, Sam specialises in budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and leveraging business intelligence tools to support decision-making and sustainable value creation.
John Stevenson · CFO, ASPEN MEDICAL John Stevenson is the Chief Financial Officer at Aspen Medical, a global leader in innovative healthcare solutions. Based in Canberra, John oversees the company’s financial strategy and operations across its Australian and international businesses. He works closely with the executive team to drive sustainable growth, safeguard assets, and support strategic initiatives that advance Aspen Medical’s mission and market position. Prior to joining Aspen Medical, John held senior leadership roles including CEO and CFO at Namoi Cotton Limited, where he led significant debt restructuring and growth initiatives resulting in a strong business turnaround. He has a proven track record in financial leadership across complex organisations and has also contributed as a Non-Executive Director at the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia in Queensland, bringing a broad perspective on governance and strategy in the healthcare and agribusiness sectors.
Nick Verrecchia · Chief Financial Officer, DHL Nick Verrecchia is the Chief Financial Officer for DHL Global Forwarding in the South Pacific region, overseeing finance operations across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. With over 18 years of experience in corporate finance and strategic planning, Nick has a proven track record of driving significant profitability improvements and leading large-scale transformation initiatives. Under his leadership, the South Pacific division has more than doubled its profitability since 2019, demonstrating his ability to deliver strong financial results in complex markets. Nick is recognised for his expertise in turning around loss-making operations, enhancing compliance frameworks, and building high-performing finance teams. He is passionate about mentoring and developing talent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and enabling smarter business decision-making.
Gavin Norman · Chief Financial Officer, Bluestar Global Logistics Gavin Norman is the Chief Financial Officer at Bluestar Global Logistics, a leading Australian-owned provider of integrated logistics solutions. With extensive experience in finance and operations across the logistics and supply chain sectors, Gavin oversees the company’s financial strategy and drives initiatives that enhance operational excellence and sustainable growth. His leadership is instrumental in delivering innovative, reliable logistics services that create real business value for clients both nationally and internationally. Prior to joining Bluestar, Gavin held senior financial roles including CFO positions at BR International Logistics and In2food Australia, as well as leadership roles at Toll Group and Silk Contract Logistics. His deep expertise in financial management and supply chain innovation enables him to effectively guide Bluestar’s strategic direction, ensuring agility and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry.
Tim Lane · General Manager of Finance, Officeworks Tim Lane is the General Manager - Finance at Officeworks, where he leads the financial strategy, planning, and governance for one of Australia’s most recognisable retail brands. A Chartered Accountant with extensive experience across commercial finance and operational leadership, Tim plays a key role in enabling business growth, driving efficiency, and supporting data-led decision making across the organisation. Known for his pragmatic leadership and strategic mindset, Tim partners closely with executive teams to deliver sustainable outcomes for customers, team members, and shareholders alike. He is passionate about building future-focused finance functions that go beyond reporting to act as proactive business partners in transformation and long-term value creation.
Madeline Palmer · Head - Content, Research & Editorial, Factor Madeline Palmer is a seasoned media and communications professional with extensive experience across journalism, broadcasting, and content creation. Before joining Factor, Madeline worked as a broadcast journalist in a number of major newsrooms across the country. During this time, Madeline covered breaking national and international news, including the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Medibank and Optus data breaches, several State and Federal Elections, the historical AUKUS Agreement, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, among other stories.
Suzie Cardwell · Chief Data Product & Technology Officer - Enterprise, Nine Suzie Cardwell has a proven track record in leading digital transformation strategies and new data-led digital products that achieve commercial growth. With deep experience of digital and data platform development, Suzie leads cross-functional teams in commercially-driven technology change.
Francoise Merit · CFO, Endeavour Energy (NSW) A driven and outcome-oriented finance professional with strong leadership skills and a proven ability to deliver superior financial insight to assist in key business decisions. Francoise has excellent communication, interpersonal & mentoring skills, and has a strong interest in Diversity and Inclusion. She also possesses strong financial control and reporting skills, superior business acumen and commercial analytical skills to provide guidance for strategic and operational decisions.
Will Irving · Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, nbn® Australia Will has been NBN Co’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer since 2019. He is accountable for strategy and transformation leadership: corporate strategy and strategic transactions, its key infrastructure relationships and nbn’s growth engine: New Developments. Will has also led NBN Co’s Chief Technology Office, Security, Data & Analytics, Legal and Regulatory and customer contracting teams at various times. Will is also the Executive Sponsor of NBN Co’s Accessibility Network. In addition to his role at NBN Co, in October 2022, Will became a non-executive Director of Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU), New Zealand’s leading fixed-line telecommunications infrastructure company. Prior to NBN Co, Will was interim CEO of Telstra InfraCo and the Group Executive of Telstra Wholesale from 2016 to 2018. Between 2011 and 2016, he headed Telstra Business, responsible for more than one million small and medium business Telstra customers. Will was Telstra’s Group General Counsel from 2005 to 2011, through the T3 privatisation and Telstra’s $11b deal with NBN Co in 2011. Prior to this, Will held a variety of legal roles at Telstra and KWM. He holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.
The Hon. Matt Kean · Former Minister for Energy, Parliament of NSW Matt Kean is Chair of the Climate Change Authority, Australia’s statutory body advising government on climate policy. With a strong background in public service, Matt has been instrumental in shaping sustainable energy strategies and driving the nation’s transition to a low-emissions economy. His leadership in developing the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap has been key to attracting private investment in renewable energy, helping reduce emissions and energy costs. Prior to this role, Matt served as Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment in New South Wales, where he championed ambitious climate action and environmental reforms. Known for his pragmatic approach and commitment to innovation, he also holds an Adjunct Professorship at the University of Technology Sydney, focusing on climate policy and sustainability. Matt brings deep expertise in environmental strategy and government leadership, making him a sought-after voice on the intersection of finance, policy, and climate action.
Andrew Hay · Head of Software Segment (Corporate, Legal & Tax), Asia & Emerging Markets, Thomson Reuters Andrew is the Segments Leader for Corporate across Asia and Emerging Markets at Thomson Reuters. With over 20 years of experience in tax, finance, and digital transformation, he brings a deep understanding of customer markets, segments, and domain expertise. He has led global product lines and business units in Australia, the broader APAC region, and worldwide, spanning financial reporting, legal professionals, and shared services. Before joining Thomson Reuters in 2010, Andrew worked at PwC, where he led initiatives in financial reporting software transformation and outsourcing.
Ali Mehfooz · Group Financial Controller, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Visionary, commercial, innovative, determined, personable, customer-focused, and performance-driven — these words define Ali's mindset, leadership skills and competence. Ali is an experienced financial services executive with a consistent track record of success, transformation, optimisation and achievement across finance, product management and operations. Ali's focus within finance includes: - Fund and Product operations, - Financial control, statutory reporting and business partnering - Remediation, rectification and oversight - Change management - Project management - Business and processes transformation - Robotic process automation - Assurance and advisory