INNOVATION IN RETIREMENT
Event wrap-up
The Financial Services Council’s Innovation in Retirement forum welcomed a capacity audience of over 280 attendees from over 80 companies.
With major sponsors BlackRock, Challenger Limited, and MLC Expand and supporting sponsors MUFG Pension & Market Services and Vanguard Australia supporting the day, the forum brought together CEOs and senior leaders from across the superannuation and wealth landscape—including leading retail and not-for-profit funds, regulators, institutional investors, technology experts, and financial advice businesses—to explore the future of retirement in Australia.
Alongside the forum, the FSC welcomed another 57 attendees from 35companies to its specialist Superannuation Practitioners Group’s ‘Payday Super’ workshop. This half-day session brought together superannuation practitioners, service providers, and regulators to align on a standardised, industry-wide approach to implementing Payday Super and Contributions V3.
Throughout the day, our keynote speakers and panellists emphasised the growing importance of personalised member solutions, the integration of technology (including AI), and a regulatory environment that supports innovation and cross-sector collaboration.
Read more here.
Sponsors
Major Partners
Supporting Partners
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SPEAKERS
Diane Brown
Deputy Secretary, Revenue Group, Treasury
Ms Diane Brown commenced as Deputy Secretary for Revenue Group at the Treasury in July 2022. In this role, Diane provides advice and forecasts to the government on revenue, taxation and retirement income policy matters.
Prior to this role, Diane was at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication as the Deputy Secretary for Transport from May 2021 to July 2022 and the First Assistant Secretary of the Communications Infrastructure Division from August 2020 to May 2021. Diane had previously spent 7 years in Treasury’s Markets Group with various responsibilities predominantly relating to financial markets and corporate regulation. Prior to joining the public service, Diane held senior roles in the private sector and in the corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
She commenced her career as an economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and has practiced law at a national law firm in Sydney. Diane holds Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and Law (Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Economics (Honours) from the University of New South Wales.
Margaret Cole
Deputy Chair, APRA
Margaret Cole was appointed Deputy Chair of APRA on 31 October 2022, after joining APRA as Executive Board Member on 1 July 2021. She is responsible for the oversight of the superannuation sector, and represents APRA at the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors.
Margaret graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in law and spent more than 20 years in private legal practice specialising in commercial litigation with an emphasis on financial services.
Margaret was formerly a partner at Stephenson Harwood and White & Case. She joined the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) in 2005 and became Managing Director of Enforcement and Financial Crime and interim Managing Director of the Conduct Business Unit and a board member. Prior to joining APRA, she spent a year as PwC's Global Regulatory Leader based in Melbourne. Before that, she was PwC UK Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel from 2012 to 2020.
Margaret has also been an independent non-executive director of Toronto Dominion Bank Europe Limited, Chair of Toronto Dominion Securities Limited and a trustee and executive committee member of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. She is an Honorary Fellow of Murray Edwards College (formerly New Hall), University of Cambridge. She has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Law, London.
Jacqui Crothers
Director Global Client Solutions, KKR
Jacqui joined KKR in 2024 and is a Director in Global Client Solutions. She is the Head of Global Wealth Solutions for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Jacqui is responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading the distribution of KKR’s alternative investment capabilities across the private wealth market in ANZ. She oversees relationships with private banks, leading private wealth firms, and research consultants, with a focus on delivering institutional-quality investment solutions tailored for wealth investors. Prior to joining KKR, Jacqui spent over six years at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, where she led key account partnerships and strategic initiatives across the private wealth segment, including private banks, high-net-worth advisory firms, and family offices. Earlier in her career, she held distribution and client-facing roles at Colonial First State Global Asset Management, Colonial First State, and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and has completed the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation.
Melanie Dunn
Principal, Accurium
Melanie is Principal and Senior Actuary at specialist consulting and training firm Accurium. She is an experienced actuary, technical speaker and leader with extensive knowledge and experience in superannuation and retirement. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and SMSF Specialist Adviser with over 17 years’ experience in Accurium’s superannuation team, and is a member of the Actuaries Institute Superannuation and Investments Practice Committee and Retirement Income Working Group.
Melanie is passionate about helping people make informed decisions about superannuation and retirement, and assisting institutions, financial advisers, and accountants efficiently and effectively deliver superior retirement outcomes for their clients through practical and meaningful research, advice, tools, and training.
KATE FARRAR
Chief executive OFFICER, BRIGHTER SUPER
Kate Farrar is the Chief Executive Officer of Brighter Super, where she has led the fund’s transformation from a $10 billion Queensland public-sector fund into a $35 billion success story with more than 280,000 members.
Since her appointment as CEO in April 2018, Kate has overseen the merger of LGIAsuper and Energy Super and the acquisition of Suncorp Super—the first industry fund acquisition of a retail fund. This integration, completed 18 months ahead of schedule, delivered a 40% reduction in administration fees for members while expanding services across Queensland.
Under Kate’s leadership, Brighter Super has become one of the fastest-growing industry funds in Australia, recognised for both its operational sustainability and member-first approach. In acknowledgment of these achievements, she was awarded the Fund Executive of the Year Award by the Fund Executives Association Ltd (FEAL) in 2024.
Kate brings 35 years of leadership experience across finance and energy, including senior roles at Barclays de Zoete Wedd, Suncorp Investment Management, NSW Treasury Corporation, McKinsey & Company, and Ergon Energy.
Beyond her role at Brighter Super, Kate serves as a Non-Executive Director of ASX100-listed Seven Group Holdings and is the President of the Queensland Futures Institute.
She holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and a Master’s Degree in Econometrics and Finance. Through a scholarship from Chief Executive Women, she is also a graduate of INSEAD’s Advanced Management Programme. In 2025, following her FEAL award education grant, Kate completed the Stanford Graduate School of Business program, People, Culture, and Performance: Strategies from Silicon Valley.
Alexis George
CEO, AMP & Deputy Chair, FSC
Alexis George was appointed CEO of AMP Limited in August 2021. She is responsible for leading the AMP business.
In addition, Alexis was appointed to the AMP Limited Board and AMP Bank Limited Board in August 2021.
Alexis has more than 25 years' experience in the financial services industry in Australia and overseas.
She spent seven years at ANZ, including most recently as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, working with the CEO to drive group-wide strategic initiatives in addition to having responsibility for its shared service centres and banking services. As the Group Executive Wealth Australia, Alexis led ANZ's ~$4 billion wealth divestment program, including the separation and sale of its life insurance and superannuation businesses to Zurich and IOOF. She has continued to oversee the complex process of separating and migrating systems and data that support these businesses so they operate independently of ANZ.
Prior to ANZ, Alexis spent ten years with ING Group in a number of senior roles including CEO Czech Republic and Slovakia, responsible for banking, insurance and funds management, and regional COO Asia, responsible for product, marketing, technology and operations.
Alexis is a Co-Chair of the Superannuation Board Committee, a member of the FSC Administration & Risk Board Committee and Nominations Board Committee.
She is also a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an active member of Chief Executive Women, where she advocates for women in leadership roles.
ANDREW GREGORY
Chief Advice Officer, UniSuper
Andrew Gregory is UniSuper’s Chief Advice Officer, leading the fund’s national Advice business. He oversees UniSuper’s integrated approach to financial education, guidance and personal advice, and partnerships with independent advisers. With more than 20 years’ senior leadership experience across banking, wealth management and superannuation, Andrew brings deep expertise in financial services strategy, governance and member outcomes. He joined UniSuper in 2022.
Andrew Howard
Executive Director – Strategy & Innovation, Insignia Financial
Andrew has over 25 years’ experience working in financial services, primarily in wealth management. Initially an organisational psychologist, Andrew began his career in management consulting with Accenture and then joined NAB & MLC, where he held a variety of executive positions across superannuation, advice, life insurance, asset management, strategy and people & culture. After this time, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Rest Super and also served as its interim CEO before later joining TAL Australia as Chief Commercial Officer. At TAL, Andrew led the newly acquired Asteron business and its separation from Suncorp and integration with TAL. Subsequently, Andrew was appointed as Chief Commercial Officer – Group Life & Investments. Andrew now serves as Executive Director – Strategy & Innovation for Insignia Financial which includes leading an enterprise program to invigorate MLC wealth management solutions.
Melinda Howes
Group Executive, Superannuation & Investments, AMP Limited
Melinda was appointed Group Executive Superannuation and Investments in January 2024, joining from KPMG where she led the Actuarial and Data Analytics team. She leads AMP’s Investment business and the Superannuation (Amp Super) business which serves personal and corporate super members. She also leads AMP Investments and AMP New Zealand.
Melinda has deep expertise in superannuation with more than 30 years in the industry. She also has experience in wealth management, life insurance, general insurance and not for profit organisations, including as CEO of the Actuaries Institute and Policy Director at ASFA.
Having spent eleven years at BT Financial Group in the 1990-2000’s, Melinda was Managing Director, Superannuation for seven years from 2014 where she led the transformation and simplification of BT’s complex heritage superannuation business to a modern digital enterprise, migrating $31bn and 560,000 members from multiple products to the go-forward offer.
Melinda is an actuary and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. She has executive and non-executive director experience and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has been an active member of ASFA and the FSC over many years, including serving on ASFA’s board and the FSC superannuation board committee.
ANTON KAPEL
Chief executive - insurance, Challenger
Anton was appointed Chief Executive, Insurance in July 2025, having previously held the roles of Chief Executive, Life and Solutions, and Challenger Life’s Chief Financial Officer and Appointed Actuary.
Prior to joining Challenger in 2018, Anton held a Chief Actuary role following a 20-year consulting career.
Ian knox
Chair, Otivo
Ian is a selective private equity investor in sme ‘s that have a vison and social purpose.
After taking an equity position in a company, he provides an active shareholder support programme with a view to helping grow the business into best in class. This includes capital raising, corporate introductions, strategy direction and stakeholder management.
He is currently the current Chair of Otivo Pty Ltd, a technology company based around a digital advice platform dedicated to making advice scaleable for planners and superfunds. Otivo’s social goal is enabling advice to become accessible and affordable for all Australians.
He is also the Chair of Ford/Scott Financial Planning including being independent chair of its investment committee. Ford/Scott is one of the fastest growing and most successful financial planning firms in Australia.
He was the founder, ex MD and then chair of Paragem Pty Ltd, which was sold to the ASX listed HUB24 group before merging with the ASX listed Diverger group - which in turn was acquired by ASX listed Count Financial.
His earlier corporate career includes CEO of Lend Lease investment services, Deputy MD of Westpac Investment Management, and CEO of Sealcorp group which housed Asgard Capital Management, Securitor and Assirt Research.
Ian has been a forthright spokesperson in the industry for over two decades supporting the professionalisation of advice. His underlying passion is small business ownership and consumer advocacy.
He is a regular speaker on leadership with team motivation, the Australian financial advice landscape, and how small business ownership can be harnessed for growth. In addition, he undertakes pro bono mentorship and support of emerging businesses
Simon La Greca
Head of Private Debt, QIC
Simon joined QIC in December 2023 as Head of Private Debt, leading QIC’s global Private Debt platform across both Private Debt Infrastructure and Private Debt Australia strategies. He is a member of all QIC Private Debt investment committees.
Simon brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure debt and leveraged/private credit, with a strong track record in origination, structuring, and portfolio management across global markets.
Prior to joining QIC, he was a founding partner at AMP Capital Infrastructure Debt, where he played a key role in deploying over US$10 billion in global expansion efforts over 19 years. Following AMP Capital's acquisition by Ares Management, he continued to contribute significantly to the firm's growth.
Earlier in his career, Simon worked at Deutsche Bank in their Project & Leveraged Finance team.
Simon holds a Bachelor of Business in Banking & Finance from Monash University.
Matt Lawler
Chief Executive Officer,
Akumin
Matt is a seasoned senior executive with over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, renowned for driving industry-first strategic and operational innovations. His leadership style emphasizes simplicity in strategy, relationship-building, and staying attuned to industry trends to enhance commercial performance, build brands, and increase market share through customer-centric approaches. He has a proven track record of managing significant change initiatives, including M&A activities, diversification, brand evolution, and turning around underperforming divisions, always focusing on creating value and preparing businesses for future challenges.
A strategic thinker with a collaborative leadership approach, Matt fosters open team environments and emphasizes stakeholder engagement to secure buy-in on key issues. He is passionate about staying ahead of industry disruptions by leveraging intuition and conceptual thinking, ensuring organizations are not only optimized for current success but also resilient for future growth. His career reflects a commitment to transforming businesses, driving growth, and creating sustainable competitive advantages in a dynamic financial landscape.
Will Liang
CEO, Amplify AI Group
Will is the CEO of Amplify AI Group, a consulting firm which advises, builds and coaches AI for the finance industry. With over 18 years’ experience leading AI, data and technology, he was CTO for MA Asset Management , served as enterprise architect and CIO for Macquarie Capital Asia Pacific as part of a decade at Macquarie Group, and led KPMG’s national regulatory technology practice.
Will is recognised internationally for his technology leadership, including as a Top Voice on LinkedIn for Data Science and AI and as a Global Top 100 Data and Analytics Leader by Corinium. He was also named one of Asia’s Top 100 CIOs by CIO.com. In Australia, he was named the Most Influential Asian-Australian in Corporate in 2023, selected in 2025 by the Department of Foreign Affairs as one of the inaugural Asian Australian Voices, and awarded an honorary fellowship at UTS for his work on AI education in 2024.
He also contributes to industry leadership as a non-executive director and Chair of the Nomination Committee on the board of the RegTech Association and was a former member of the Forbes Technology Council and the technology committee at the Financial Services Council.
He is a sought-after keynote speaker, having delivered talks at global conferences and industry events, including TEDx and the Financial Times.
Frank Lombardo
Chief Executive Officer, ANZ, MUFG Retirement Solutions
Frank Lombardo is Chief Executive Officer, ANZ, MUFG Retirement Solutions, a division of MUFG Pension & Market Services. With more than 30 years’ experience across insurance, superannuation, retirement, and banking, Frank is a highly regarded financial services executive recognised for his ability to drive transformation and deliver client-focused outcomes.
Passionate about combining people and technology to build deeper, more personalised client relationships, Frank has led major initiatives in technology, client service, product innovation, and operations. His career spans executive leadership roles at Insignia Financial, National Australia Bank, and MLC Limited, where he consistently achieved strong results for clients and business partners alike. Frank has a proven track record in leading large, high-performing teams with energy and clarity, helping them achieve superior outcomes for clients and the business.
Liz Mccarthy
CEO, MLC Expand
Liz has over 20 years of experience leading large-scale projects in data, automation, artificial intelligence and analytics across the financial services, payments and aviation industries.
As CEO of MLC Expand, Liz has end-to-end accountability for Insignia Financial’s wrap platforms and advisory solutions and is responsible for product strategy, management and development, client operations and sales.
Liz has held various roles at Humm, Jetstar, Macquarie, Westpac and AMP. Most recently, Liz was the Chief Executive Officer at OneTwo Home Loans.
DAVID MOFFATT
CHAIRMAN - ANZ, Apollo global management
David has over 40 years’ experience in executive leadership, CEO and board positions for companies in the Telecommunications, Finance, Industrial Services and Media Industries. He has lived and worked in Australia, US, Europe and Asia.
David is Chairman of Ventia Services Group Limited, a $6.0 billion revenues Telecommunications, Defence, Infrastructure business (Roads, Water, Power), Environmental Remediation and Social Services (Hospitals, Schools) with over 35,000 employees and contractors, operating in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2023 David was appointed Chairman – Australia and New Zealand to Apollo Global Management one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers. He is a long-term Senior Advisor to Apollo.
In May 2025, David was appointed Chairman American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. David joined the Board of Directors in August 2024.
David’s previous roles include Chief Financial Officer and Group MD Consumer for Telstra Corporation Limited and Finance Committee Chair of Foxtel Limited. He was also CEO GE & GE Capital Australia New Zealand. Other organizations David worked for include Lebara Group, Bain and Company and Citigroup.
David’s community and charitable activities include being a Founding Director, and now Foundation Chairman of Giant Steps Limited. Giant Steps is an Autism education, therapy and support organization helping children, adults and families dealing with autism.
David graduated from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 1985 with a Bachelor of Business. He is an MAICD and in 2020 was awarded a Doctor of the University (QUT).
David and his wife Lindy Shelmerdine live in Melbourne.
Renato Mota
Industry Leader
Renato is an accomplished CEO and Board Director with more than 25 years’ experience in Australia’s financial services sector.
As CEO of Insignia Financial, he led one of the industry’s most significant transitions, integrating major acquisitions, strengthening governance, and modernising technology to create Australia’s largest retail wealth manager with $300bn in assets under management. Throughout his career, he has advocated the role the wealth management industry plays in supporting the wellbeing of Australians.
Prior to Insignia Financial, Renato held strategy and corporate development roles at NAB and N.M. Rothschild, where he focused on capital management, business transformation, and long-term growth initiatives.
Katie Petering
Managing Director, Head of Investment Strategy, BlackRock Australasia
Katie Petering, Managing Director, is the Head of Investment Strategy for BlackRock Australasia. Katie leads investment strategy for BlackRock's range of multi-asset portfolios, including diversified asset allocation strategies, model portfolios and hedge funds within the multi asset investment team, which is the investment group at the heart of BlackRock's portfolio construction, asset allocation, and active management ecosystem.
The team draws on the full toolkit of BlackRock's index, factor, and alpha-seeking investment capabilities to deliver precise investment outcomes and cutting-edge alpha insights. The team constructs active asset allocation strategies and whole portfolio solutions across a wide spectrum of commingled funds, separate accounts, model portfolios, and outsourcing solutions in the wealth and institutional channels.
Katie joined BlackRock in 2017 as Australasia Head of iShares Institutional business. Prior to BlackRock, Katie was Head of Structured Products at Goldman Sachs and held previous roles in cross asset derivative structuring, sales and capital markets. Katie began her career at Merrill Lynch in 1996. Katie holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Natalie Previtera
CEO, NGS Super
Natalie is the Chief Executive Officer of NGS Super. With a career grounded in governance, legal, and strategic leadership, Natalie brings a forward-thinking and purpose driven approach to superannuation. She is responsible for steering the fund through a dynamic regulatory landscape, ensuring operational excellence, and delivering long-term value to members. Natalie also served as Chief Risk and Governance officer having deep institutional knowledge and a strong track record in executive oversight and regulatory engagement. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her ability to drive transformation while maintaining a strong member-first ethos. Prior to joining NGS in 2019 Natalie held senior governance roles at AMP, Suncorp and Perpetual.
Matt Rady
CEO, BT Financial Group
Matthew Rady was appointed to the FSC Board in September 2023.
Matthew Rady was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BT Financial Group in October 2021.
He is responsible for BT's Superannuation and IDPS Platforms and investment Products business.
Previous roles include CEO at Allianz Retire+ and other executive roles in companies including Macquarie Group and global financial technology company, IRESS.
He has more than 30 years' experience in the financial services and wealth industries.
Matt is also a Non-Executive Director at Breakthrough T1D, a global not-for-profit supporting type 1 diabetes research. He has a Bachelor of Economics and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Victor Rodriguez
Chief Executive, Funds Management, Challenger
Victor was appointed Chief Executive, Funds Management in August 2022 and continues to act as Head of Fixed Income after joining Challenger Investment Management in April 2017. Prior to his appointment, he was Head of Asia Pacific Fixed Income at Aberdeen Asset Management based in Singapore from 2014 to 2017. There he led a team of more than 30 investment professionals across the region including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia. Before locating to Singapore, Victor led the Aberdeen Fixed Income business in Australia. Prior to this, Victor worked for over 13 years at Credit Suisse Asset Management in Australia, where he was the Deputy Head of Fixed Income for three years up to 2009. Victor holds a Bachelor of Economics from Sydney University and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from FINSIA.
Anthony Saliba
Partner, Actuarial Consulting, Deloitte
Anthony is a Partner in Deloitte’s Actuarial practice with over 15 years in financial services. He leads Deloitte’s work in the Retirement Income market, supporting super funds with Retirement Income Covenant strategies across member engagement, lifetime income products, governance and outcomes measurement. Previously, Anthony headed the FinTech team at Rice Warner, was a senior actuary at CommInsure focused on retirement income product pricing, and a senior manager at EY advising banking and wealth clients and contributing to retirement income policy thought leadership.
Kelly SHay
Head of Retirement & Retention, Mercer
Kelly Shay is passionate about financially empowering people throughout their working lives and into retirement.
Kelly spent the first 20 years of her working life organising workers in the aged care, early childhood education and care and disability sectors in Australia and North America. During this time Kelly was a Trustee Director on the HESTA Board for 6 years which lead to a career change into superannuation.
After 5 years at AustralianSuper, Kelly joined the Mercer Super leadership team where she is currently the Retirement & Retention Leader helping over 1 million members on their journey to and through retirement.
Kelly is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and is a Board Director on FvREE the lead specialist family violence service in the eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne.
Daniel Shrimski
Managing Director, Vanguard Australia
DEANNE STEWART
CEO, aware super
Michael Stutchbury
Executive Director, Centre for Independent Studies (CIS)
Herbert Suen
Senior Managing Director,
Blackstone Private Wealth, Singapore
Daniel is responsible for all aspects of the management, distribution, and operation of Vanguard's Australian business.
Daniel joined Vanguard Australia in 2011 as the company's Chief Financial Officer. He moved to the U.S. in January 2017 to become the divisional CFO of the U.S. Retail Investor Group, which comprises over $US2 trillion in AUM and more than 7 million retail investors. Most recently, he was CFO of Vanguard's International business and a member of the International Leadership Team.
Prior to Vanguard, he spent 11 years at GE across Australia, the U.S. and the Netherlands where, amongst other roles, he was a Finance Director within GE Capital Australia's consumer finance division.
Daniel has a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Daniel serves on the FSC Superannuation Board Committee and is also a member of the Investment Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce
Deanne joined Aware Super as Chief Executive Officer in 2018 and has more than 25 years of experience in financial services, both in Australia and overseas. She is an expert in super, wealth and insurance. Before leading Aware Super, Deanne was Chief Executive Officer at MetLife. Prior to this, she held senior roles at BT, Westpac, Merrill Lynch and McKinsey & Co.
During her time as CEO, Deanne has overseen some pivotal moments and significant growth, with Aware Super now one of Australia's largest and top-performing superannuation funds. She led the successful merger of VicSuper and First State Super in 2020 and the launch of the Aware Super brand. Throughout her time at Aware Super, Deanne has been a strong advocate for gender equality. She was honoured by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as a pay equity ambassador in 2019.
Deanne also serves as a Director of the Super Members Council, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and the childhood cancer charity, Redkite. A hallmark of Deanne’s career has been a passionate commitment to building and maintaining a strong culture and clearly defined purpose to drive business success.
Michael Stutchbury is the Executive Director of the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS). He is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Financial Review, a role he held from 2011 until 2024, when he became the masthead’s Editor-at-Large. With a career in journalism spanning several decades, and including a stint as a Washington correspondent, he is widely respected for his expertise in economic and public policy issues and his engagement with business issues.
Before leading the Financial Review, he served as Economics Editor and later as Editor of The Australian, where he played a key role in shaping national discourse on fiscal policy, industrial relations, and economic reform.
Herbert Suen is a Senior Managing Director in Blackstone Private Wealth, based in Singapore.
Before joining Blackstone, Herbert worked at Barclays Wealth as Head of Managed Products in Asia. Prior to Barclays, he held various roles at Credit Suisse, Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Bank, Franklin Templeton and Mitsubishi Corporation including portfolio solutions, financial engineering and business development.
Herbert received a Master of Science (with Distinction) in Mathematics for Finance & Actuarial Science jointly from Paris Dauphine University and City University of Hong Kong. He graduated from Curtin University of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) in Asian Studies. He is a CFA charter holder, a certified FRM, and speaks fluent English, Cantonese, Japanese and Mandarin.
Stacey Tovrov
Head of Investment Strategy for Retirement Solutions, BlackRock
Stacey Tovrov, Managing Director, is the Head of Investment Strategy for Retirement Solutions (“RS”) within BlackRock's Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions ("MASS") group. RS serves as the center for lifecycle investing at BlackRock, bringing together expertise in research, portfolio management, strategy, and technology. She is responsible for the development and commercialization of BlackRock's lifecycle and decumulation investment strategies and representing the global LifePath target date fund franchise to institutional investors, consultants, and financial professionals. Ms. Tovrov is a member of the MASS Leadership Group and the US Defined Contribution Management Committee.
Ms. Tovrov has held multiple roles throughout her 17-year career at BlackRock. Prior to joining Retirement Solutions, Ms. Tovrov was focused on product development and strategy for BlackRock’s Sustainable Investing platform, as well as the Strategic Product Management group. Previously, as Chief of Staff to the Head of the Portfolio Management Group, she was responsible for executing strategic projects and business management initiatives across the firm's investment teams. Ms. Tovrov joined BlackRock in 2008 as part of the institutional client business in New York and London, where she was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with the firm's pension funds, central banks, multilateral agencies, and other official entities.
Tarik trent
Head of Solutions, APAC, Apollo Global Management
Tarik Trent is a Principal in the FIG group at Apollo Global Management, which he joined in 2018.
He has been involved in Apollo’s insurance investments including Athene and ACRA and now focuses on solutions development spanning retirement, portfolio construction, product development, and M&A in the APAC region having relocated to Singapore in 2023.
Prior to Apollo, Tarik held a variety of actuarial and quantitative roles across AON and Munich Re.
He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and holds a Master of Science in Finance from The University of Alabama, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Emory University.
Blake Briggs
CEO, Financial Services Council
Blake Briggs is the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Council. Blake became CEO of the Financial Services Council in January 2022 after joining the FSC as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in 2020, where he was responsible for policy and advocacy on behalf of FSC members.
Blake has extensive experience as an advocate for the financial services industry. Blake has previously worked for Westpac Group, as Head of Government Affairs for Wealth, and at the FSC as Senior Policy Manager for Superannuation. Blake has also worked as a policy adviser and industrial advocate for the Commonwealth Government and the NSW Business Chamber.
Blake is also a member of the Board of Advice for the University of Sydney Business School's Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies. Blake holds a Juris Doctor from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor in Commerce (liberal studies) from the University of Sydney.