12th Annual Foundation Business Breakfast

Given the recent Royal Commission into Financial Services, the topic of the 12th Annual Foundation Business Breakfast, ‘Are company directors up to the task?’ provided guests with a timely discussion of governance and other issues relating to the function of corporate boards. Outstanding panelists Elizabeth Proust AO, James Shipton and Ben Gray, offered valuable insights and opinions, with Graeme Samuel AC (OW1963) acting as moderator. Panelists provided insights from their own experiences and outlined how board governance could be improved.

Ben Gray, Founding Partner of BGH Capital, argued for a 50 per cent quota of women and more female and male directors with specialist operational experience of the business sector.

Elizabeth Proust, Chair of Nestlé and Bank of Melbourne and Past Chair of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, agreed with Gray, emphasising the need for financial literacy as a key requirement for directors. James Shipton stressed the need for greater attention to non-financial risks and the importance of creating and maintaining a culture of competence and conscientiousness.

A lively Q and A with guests concluded the formalities and the panel was thanked by Foundation Chair, Nicki Isaacs (née Lefkovits OW1990). The Foundation was again grateful to its sponsors: Hutchinson Builders, Total Facilities Maintenance, Barry Plant Monash, Cox Architecture, ACS Property Services, Holder East and Pommery Champagne.