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Grand business and investment round table
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Panellist biographies
Chair: Ali Moore, ABC Broadcasting
Ali Moore is the presenter of ABC News 24's Afternoon Live. Prior to joining the ABC's new 24 hour news network, Ali hosted the ABC's Lateline Business since the programme's inception in August 2006. Ali has also hosted The 7.30 Report, as well as the Morning Show on ABC Local Radio in Melbourne.
She returned to the ABC after a decade with the Nine Network, where she reported on and later hosted Business Sunday. Ali has more than 20 years' experience in journalism and began her career with the national broadcaster in 1987, and was appointed the ABC's China Correspondent in 1992, based in Beijing.
Vincent Dwyer, Partner, Norton Rose Australia
Vincent Dwyer advises on domestic and cross border merger and acquisition transactions and project development, for buyers, sellers, consortium developers and government. He also advises on capital management structures (such as capital reductions and share buy-backs); joint ventures, partnerships and shareholder arrangements; and ASIC, ASX and FIRB applications.
Vincent has specialist expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors and has been involved in many significant transactions in those industries including transactions that have been nominated for the 2010 Asia Pacific M&A Deal of the Year (Oz Minerals acquisition), 2009 Project Finance Deal of the Year (AGL’s Hallett 4 wind farm sale), 2008 Energy & Resources Deal of the Year (AGL/Arrow acquisition of Enertrade) and 2006 Energy & Resources Deal of the Year (AGL acquisition of Southern Hydro).
In particular, these have included the sale and development of thermal and clean energy power stations (and associated off-take and supply arrangements); electricity, weather and other exotic derivatives; gas pipeline and electricity transmission line and transport infrastructure acquisitions and developments; and the restructure of the water industry.
Geoff Evison, Managing Director, Arkx Investment Management Pty Ltd
Geoff Evison has more than 25 years experience in local and international financial markets. Prior to founding Arkx in 2007, Geoff held senior trading positions at BZW, Macquarie and Nomura and was a portfolio manager at hedge fund St Helens Capital Pty Ltd.
Geoff founded Arkx as a vehicle for investors to realise the investment potential of the global clean energy sector.
Richard Featherby, Executive Director, Ernst & Young
Richard Featherby is an executive director in the Project Finance Advisory area of Ernst & Young’s Transaction Advisory Services Practice. Richard has extensive experience in the power and utilities sector for both Government and private sector organisations. He has been involved in a range of project finance transactions for coal and gas fired generators, wind and solar power as well as bio-waste plants. This experience includes early feasibility work as well as substantial fund raising engagements. He is also currently involved in raising funding for a small scale carbon efficient generation project.Michael O’Sullivan, President, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI)
Michael O’Sullivan is the President of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI). ACSI was established in March of 2001 to carry out independent research into all areas of Corporate Governance on behalf of its member superannuation funds. ACSI provides a proxy voting advisory and engagement service to its members, as well as advocacy for higher governance standards, participation in the public policy debate and co-operation with international governance organisations.
ACSI has 41 member funds who represent more than five million beneficiaries and more than AUD$260 billion in funds under management.
Michael has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Corporate Governance Network, based in London.
Michael is also the Chairman of CARE Superannuation Fund. CARE Super is an Industry pension Fund for private sector clerical, professional and managerial employees and a public offer fund. He has been a Trustee Director since 1996. He is a member representative nominated by the Australian Services Union, of which he was National Executive President.
He has served the Fund as a member of its Administrative, Benefits, Investment Review and Risk Management Audit & Compliance Committees, and has served as Board Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
Kerry Rooney, Global Manager, Clean Energy and Environment, Austrade
Kerry Rooney is the Global Manager for Clean Energy and the Environment in Austrade, the Government’s trade and investment agency. Kerry is leading the implementation of the Australian Government’s strategy for clean energy trade and investment. Kerry’s team in Australia works closely with Austrade’s overseas posts to attract foreign direct investment into Australia and supports a global network of export advisers and business development managers who work with Australian companies to realise their international business needs.
Prior to joining Austrade in 2008, Kerry was the General Manager for Technology and Manufacturing in Invest Australia, the Australian Government’s former inward investment agency, focusing on investment in biotechnology, ICT and advanced manufacturing. As part of her 25 year career with the Australian Government, Kerry was also the General Manager responsible for tourism business development in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.
Matthew Wright, Executive Director, Beyond Zero Emissions
Matthew Wright is Executive Director of climate solutions think tank Beyond Zero Emissions, an organisation focused decarbonising the Australian economy. The organisation has a strategic research collaboration with the University of Melbourne's Energy Research Institute.
Matthew started a Renewable Energy awareness organisation in 2003 called Future Energy. In 2006 the scope of this organisation was broadened to cover all sectors of the economy and he co-founded Beyond Zero Emissions. Prior to his role at Beyond Zero Emissions Matthew worked in the provision of financial information and news to corporates,
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