Considerations when appointing an Investigating Accountant

Monday, 9 November

2pm AEDT | 1pm AEST | 11am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

The option to engage an IA or IBR can provide the bank with transparency and visibility into the customer’s business in order to better inform future lending decisions. It can also assist the customer in navigating through key challenges they may be facing in their business.

Said Jahani will consider the following as part of this session:

• What is the purpose of an IA/IBR?
• What are the benefits for both bank and customer?
• How to ensure the IA/IBR process delivers value
• Considerations for how to scope an IA/IBR engagement

This session is ideal for bankers from all areas who are interested in understanding the purpose and value to the bank and the customer from undertaking a limited scope review on a customers’ business.

The role of Alternate Debt and Private Equity in a post Covid environment

Wednesday, 11 November

2pm AEDT | 1pm AEST | 11am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

Matt Byrnes will facilitate a panel discussion with experts including Paul Gooley, National Head of Corporate Finance, exploring the role of Alternate Debt and Private Equity (PE) in a post-COVID environment.

Both Alternate Debt and PE can provide a solution for the bank’s customers in the right circumstances, and there is an expectation that opportunities for these solutions are likely to increase in 2021.

What are providers looking for in a customer? What do bank customers need to be doing to best position themselves to attract funding? Our expert panel will tackle these and other questions.

This session is ideal for any banker interested in understanding the opportunities for Alternate Lenders and Private Equity to provide solutions to the bank’s customers.

The Future of Life Sciences

Thursday, 12 November

10:30am AEDT | 9:30am AEST | 7:30am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

Innovation will be a driving force for growth and recovery from the recession. The life sciences sector attracts $1.5 billion in R&D investment each year.

This year’s Federal Budget sees the Government investing $2 billion in R&D tax incentives, removing the cap on refunds, lifting the rate and rewarding those businesses that invest the most. Additionally, the Government announced $460 million for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Sukvinder Heyer, Partner, Innovation Incentives and Lorraine Chiroiu, CEO of Ausbiotech, will discuss outcomes from the budget and the future of the sector, including the R&D tax incentive, increasing the manufacturing capability in Australia, the risk of a capital shortfall, funding for universities and regulation of the sector.

This session is ideal for all bankers who want to better understand the risks, challenges and opportunities of the life sciences sector and to the bank’s customers.

Strategies for Businesses in the current VUCA world

Thursday, 12 November

2pm AEDT | 1pm AEST | 11am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

In the current VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) world and like no time before, the bank’s customers are challenged to improve profitability, and to adapt, restructure and grow.

In this session, Graham Killer will look at a number of strategies and concepts available. He will also share questions for bankers to use to challenge customers in the way they optimise their business today, while focusing on their business of the future. Graham will reference client stories and well-known case studies from the corporate and sporting world to support bankers to engage with customers.

This session is focused on the traditional business banking segment and their related mid-market customers.

Higher education & schools: Optimise your back office to improve value and focus on efficiency

Monday, 16 November

12:30pm AEDT | 11:30am AEST | 9:30am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

Higher education and schools face an economic period with continued pressure on future enrolments and intensified competition to attract students.

This presents an opportunity to refocus and consider the manner in which back-office functions operate or have evolved over time to deliver the intended value.

Kristy Fotiadis and Lindy Richardson, Partner at Maddocks, will explore how to maintain or reduce costs and achieve better outcomes at the same time.

This session is focused on all bankers who want to better understand the risks, challenges and opportunities of the education sector and to the bank’s customers.

Distressed Property & Construction – red flags or an opportunity?

Tuesday, 17 November

2pm AEDT | 1pm AEST | 11am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

In late 2019, our Grant Thornton industry panel session explored key issues facing the sector including delayed and failed settlements, fewer offshore investors, tighter development finance, the impact of a changing retail sector on valuations, and increased regulation. 

Less than two months later, COVID-19 was identified in China. By March this year, many sectors were forced to close as the country braced for an extended lockdown and dire economic forecasts. Soon after, the Government announced some of the most significant stimulus packages and mandated financial relief for businesses in our lifetimes, resulting in a boom in certain sectors.   

As State and Federal Government stimulus packages expire, what are the key areas of risk and opportunity for participants in the real estate and construction sector?

Phil Campbell-Wilson will lead our expert panel comprising alternate lending, development and building specialists drawing on their experiences to provide insights into the key risks and challenges facing new and existing developments, and solutions for navigating through the current crisis.

This session is ideal for any banker interested in understanding the risks, challenges and opportunities in this key sector.

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How did the resources sector fare in the Federal Budget?

Thursday, 19 November

3pm AEDT | 2pm AEST | 12pm AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

Though it has been subject to inconsistent funding over the past decade, Australia’s energy and resources sector has shown remarkable stability. The sector is fundamental to our economy. In response to COVID-19, it’s clear that the sector will have an important role to play in job creation, sovereign capability and “growing” out of the recession.

With the increased level of activity and funding the sector has experienced, it’s important to structure your business tax effectively to help you understand and address your tax risks and reach your ideal tax position.

Join our webinar, as we discuss trends we are seeing in the sector, what to consider when structuring deals, what can go wrong if these aren't allocated appropriate consideration and how the measures announced in the recent Federal Budget will apply to the sector.

This session is focused on all bankers who want to better understand the risks, challenges and opportunities of the energy & resources sector and to the bank’s customers.

Manufacturing industry: why the sector has never been better placed for growth

Tuesday, 24 November

1pm AEDT | 12pm AEST | 10am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

COVID-19 has highlighted Australia’s over-reliance on global supply chains, which we know can be fragile and make us vulnerable. It’s resulted in our local manufacturers pivoting quickly to pick up the slack.

As a result, the Government has been canvassing the sector to see how Australia might be able to become more self-sufficient in the long run. The Budget has also provided further detail around what the future of manufacturing in Australia will look like.

Join Grant Thornton and Senator for South Australia, Rex Patrick explore these industry opportunities and understanding of what lies ahead.

While setting the right political framework will encourage investment, we need to go further in influencing the right generational investment and public permission COVID has provided – let’s not miss the opportunity.

This session is ideal for all bankers who want to better understand the risks, challenges and opportunities of the manufacturing sector and to the bank’s customers.

Real Estate and Construction in a post-COVID-19 world

Wednesday, 25 November

12:30pm AEDT | 11:30am AEST | 9:30am AWST

This session runs for approximately 45 minutes plus time for Q&A.

The Real Estate and Construction industries have certainly felt the impact of COVID-19 in a number of ways – from Landlords that have been mandated to provide relief to their business tenants and those businesses that have had their go-to-market model or customer base impacted by restrictions to the upsides provided through housing stimulus and infrastructure announcements.  

The Federal Budget’s recent stimulus announcements, with further expected from the state budgets - will continue to be key to the sectors’ recovery journey.

Please join us for a panel discussion where our industry experts will explore the key changes and trends occurring in the market in adapting to the impacts of the pandemic and share their insights on the challenges and opportunities ahead. The discussion will touch on market fundamentals and forecasts and what industry participants need to be thinking about in the short-to-medium term (particularly in a post-JobKeeper and rent relief environment), and the longer-term impact of falling migration and foreign investment on the sector.

This session is focused on all bankers who want to better understand the risks, challenges and opportunities of the real estate & construction sector and to the bank’s customers.