Boardroom Confidential

This is an episode from the AICD's new weekly podcast series, Director Download.  Each episode features conversations with policy experts and leading directors to unpack complex governance challenges and deliver practical insights that can be applied in the boardroom.  You can listen by searching 'Director Download' in your podcast player, or by clicking the links below:  Listen on Spotify:  https...

The AICD is proud to announce the launch of a brand new podcast offering - Director Download.  Director Download   is a weekly podcast series that keeps directors and senior leaders ahead of evolving governance obligations.  Each episode features conversations with policy experts and leading directors to unpack complex governance challenges and deliver practical insights that can be applied in the...

Presented by Okta Artificial intelligence is transforming organisations at extraordinary speed. But as businesses adopt AI agents and autonomous systems, new governance and cyber security risks are emerging just as quickly. In this episode, Mathew Graham, Chief Security Officer for Okta Asia-Pacific, explains why boards need to rethink cyber security in an AI-driven world. He explores the rise of...

Skipp Williamson has spent decades working with organisations on one of the most persistent challenges in business: execution. As founder of Partners in Performance, she has seen first-hand how even the most compelling strategies can unravel when delivery falls short. In this conversation, Skipp explores why execution risk is often underestimated at board level, and how major projects can drift of...

Tim Reed has led through growth, disruption and transition as CEO of MYOB for over a decade, President of the Business Council of Australia, and now as a director, investor and climate policy contributor. In this conversation, Tim reflects on the importance of setting a clear long-term vision, building a culture that delivers, and staying close to customers. He shares lessons from CEO succession,...

Lawrence Goldstone has built a career at the intersection of purpose, people and transformation. He spent decades advising major organisations on strategy, innovation and large-scale change before stepping into the role of chair at OzHarvest, Australia's largest food rescue organisation.   In this conversation, Lawrence reflects on leading through CEO succession in a founder-led organisation, bala...

Diane Smith-Gander reflects on a career spanning executive leadership, global consulting and some of Australia's most complex boardrooms. In this conversation, Diane discusses the realities of transitioning from management to governance, the importance of preparation and judgement, and why effective boards are curious, disciplined and willing to challenge constructively. She shares insights from c...

Paul Zahra has spent his career leading through disruption - as CEO of David Jones, head of the Australian Retailers Association during Covid, board director and founder of the Pinnacle Foundation. In this conversation, Paul reflects on what crisis reveals about leadership, governance and values. He discusses why visibility matters in the boardroom, particularly for LGBTQIA+ leaders, and how board...

Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz reflects on a career shaped by unexpected turns, major leadership challenges and a decade transforming Mirvac as CEO - and how those experiences now inform her work in the boardroom. In this conversation, Susan discusses the mindset shift from executive to non-executive roles, the discipline of governing without managing, and what effective boards get right in uncertain times....

Alastair McEwin has spent his career pushing for a more inclusive Australia — as a lawyer, board director, Disability Discrimination Commissioner and a commissioner on the Disability Royal Commission. In this conversation, he reflects on what drew him to disability advocacy, what he learned starting out on boards in his twenties, and why great governance is a team sport. Alastair unpacks why repre...

Geopolitics is no longer just background noise — it's now central to how organisations plan, invest and manage risk. In this episode, foreign affairs expert Merriden Varrall, joins Boardroom Confidential to unpack what today's "polycrisis" world really means for directors. Drawing on her experience at KPMG, the Lowy Institute and the UN in China, Merriden explains why boards must look beyond daily...

Brad Welsh has built a career defined by reinvention — from child protection officer to political adviser, CEO of Energy Resources of Australia, board member at nib, and now founder of Mawal. In this conversation, Brad reflects on the choices, opportunities and turning points that shaped his path, and how curiosity and ambition have guided every reinvention. Brad discusses the lessons learned lead...

Over the holidays, we'll be bringing you some earlier episodes of our Boardroom Confidential podcast. This time it's Audette Exel, the founder and chair of Adara Group. She's also a former director with Suncorp and Westpac and previously served as Chair of the Bermuda Stock Exchange. Audette shares the story behind Adara's unique model, which channels profits from corporate advisory work directly...

Over the holidays, we'll be bringing you some earlier episodes of our Boardroom Confidential podcast. This time it's David Kirk, the co-founder of listed venture capital fund Bailador and chair at a range of organisations including KMD Brands, Forsyth Barr and KiwiHarvest.    David was also the CEO of Fairfax Limited and had an extremely successful career on the sporting field, captaining the migh...

Over the holidays, we'll be bringing you some earlier episodes of our Boardroom Confidential podcast. This time it's Marina Go, a board member with Metcash, Southern Cross Media and the AICD itself. She's also been a chair or director with several other organisations including Adore Beauty, Energy Australia, the West Tigers NRL club and Netball Australia. On top of that, Marina was also the GM of...

Over the holidays, we'll be bringing you some earlier episodes of our Boardroom Confidential podcast. This time, it's Andy Penn, a director with Coles and Trustee for the National Gallery of Victoria. He also spent seven years as the CEO of Telstra and previously served as the chair of the federal government's Cyber Security Strategy Expert Advisory Board.  We talk about: lesson for boards on cybe...

Co-chair of Supply Nation and Fortescue director Penny Bingham-Hall joins Boardroom Confidential to unpack some of the major issues facing today's boards: harnessing AI's predictive power, overseeing cyber risk in a "when, not if" world, and lifting climate governance from compliance to capability.   We also explore the craft of a high-performing board (diverse, collegiate, agenda-sharp), how to b...

Presented by Okta   Cyber security has become a core governance issue, not just an IT problem. In this episode, Mathew Graham , Chief Security Officer for Asia–Pac at Okta, explains why identity is now the front line of security — and what that means for directors. He outlines how cyber risk has shifted from firewalls to cloud systems, remote work and interconnected supply chains, where most breac...

Former NRMA Chair Tim Trumper joins Boardroom Confidential to talk about AI in the boardroom, data-led transformations, and the craft of modern chairing. Drawing on his book AI: Game On , Tim explores one of the central governance questions of our time — "who or what decides?" — and how directors can set guardrails that protect customers while still unleashing innovation.   Tim shares practical pl...

From founding her first company at 21 to building and exiting multiple tech ventures, Taryn Williams has spent her career at the intersection of talent, media and innovation. In this episode, the award-winning entrepreneur and director reflects on the mindset behind scaling fast-growing businesses, the challenge of stepping back as a founder, and how she's navigating the next wave of disruption th...

David Gallop AM — former CEO of the NRL and Football Australia —share lessons on leadership, crisis, and culture from a career spent in the spotlight. In this conversation, David reflects on two decades at the helm of high-profile sports, the experiences he's carried into the boardroom, and what makes an effective chair in today's governance landscape. Now chair of Venues NSW and Step One Clothing...

Naomi Simson is an experienced director, successful entrepreneur, and acclaimed author. She co-founded Big Red Group and helped it grow to become Australia's largest experience network. In this candid conversation, Naomi reflects on two decades of building and scaling businesses, the lessons learned stepping back from the CEO role, and why small business remains the backbone of Australia's economy...

This special podcast will take you inside the AICD's flagship Company Directors Course (CDC).  Whether you're a current board member, aspiring director, or senior executive – the CDC is the gold standard in governance education. For more than 50 years, the course has helped shape more informed, capable and confident directors. In this podcast, you'll hear from three of the CDC's over 100,000 parti...

Steve Hasker is the CEO and President of Thomson Reuters, plus a director with ASX-listed Appen. He was visiting Australia recently and took part in a special event with the AICD. We talked with Steve about the rise of artificial intelligence, lessons from his experiences with private equity, and the future of news and information.

Kate Jenkins AO GAICD is the Chair of the Australian Sports Commission and the Creative Workplaces Council. She's also a former Sex Discrimination Commissioner and led the landmark Respect@Work report. We talk with Kate about: her chair role at the ASC, gender targets for sports boards and progress since the release of the Respect@Work report. Click here for the AICD guide: "Positive duty to preve...