Director Download

Australia's economic outlook remains uncertain. A range of domestic and global pressures are shaping the conditions in which organisations operate, and for boards, understanding which economic signals matter most is critical to making informed decisions. AICD Chief Economist Mark Thirlwell joins us to examine the outlook for interest rates, inflation and economic growth, the indicators directors should be watching, and whether traditional economic levers are still enough to address Australia's economic challenges.  Mark also discusses the latest Intergenerational Report and Australia's long-term growth prospects, the potential for AI to lift productivity. We look at what's driving the global bond market sell-off, and whether many of the economic and political narratives that have dominated recent years are becoming less convincing to voters, consumers and markets. We cover: (01:00) - Why Australian consumer confidence has fallen (04:00) - Whether interest rates alone can bring inflation under control. (06:00) - The key economic indicators boards should be watching, and what could signal a shift in the outlook. (08:30) - The role of government spending in Australia's inflation challenge. (18:30) - What the Intergenerational Report reveals about Australia's economic growth over the next 40 years. (21:00) - Whether expectations of an AI-driven productivity boom are overly optimistic. (22:30) - What's behind the global bond market sell-off and why it matters.  Learn more:   Mark's weekly newsletter - https://www.aicd.com.au/news-media/economic-weekly.html   Connect:  Mark Thirlwell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-thirlwell?originalSubdomain=au   AICD on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/australianinstituteofcompanydirectors/ Kulja Coulston on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulja-coulston/ Bennett Mason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-mason-10517336/  This episode Director Download was produced on the traditional lands of the Gadigal peoples. We recognise First Nations peoples' cultural and spiritual relationships to the Skies, Land, Waters, and Seas, and their rich contribution to society. 

AGMs are one of the clearest tests of shareholder sentiment. As investors are becoming increasingly willing to vote against boards when expectations are not met, Philip Foo of proxy adviser CGI Glass Lewis says directors should expect closer scrutiny in several key areas during the 2026 AGM season. In this episode, Philip shares the issues likely to attract investor attention at upcoming AGMs, including auditor relationships and independence, executive remuneration, board composition, culture and AI governance. He explains how shareholder voting behaviour is changing, what effective engagement with investors looks like, and why succession planning conversations should start well before they become urgent. Philip also explains the questions investors are increasingly asking and what distinguishes a well-prepared organisation from those facing unexpected opposition. We cover: (03:00) - The issues Philip expects to attract attention during the 2026 AGM season. (09:00) - What he suggests effective engagement looks like, including why discussions about succession and contentious remuneration decisions should begin well before the AGM. (13:30) - How shareholder voting behaviour has changed, with investors becoming increasingly willing to vote against remuneration reports. (18:00) - What investors are looking for in board composition as organisations contend with changing technology, the energy transition and other emerging risks. (19:30) - How investor expectations around climate, ESG and board diversity are evolving, including differences between international markets. (25:00) - What distinguishes firms that navigate AGM season smoothly from those caught off guard.   Learn more:   AICD guide on governing with stakeholder insight - https://www.aicd.com.au/news-media/research-and-reports/stakeholder-governance-guide.html  Connect:  Philip Foo on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/philip-foo-cfa-ca-8097a231  AICD on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/australianinstituteofcompanydirectors/ Kulja Coulston on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulja-coulston/ Bennett Mason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-mason-10517336/  This episode Director Download was produced on the traditional lands of the Gadigal peoples. We recognise First Nations peoples' cultural and spiritual relationships to the Skies, Land, Waters, and Seas, and their rich contribution to society. 

As cyber threats become faster and more sophisticated, boards are being urged to shift their focus from preventing every attack to building organisations that can withstand, respond to and recover from incidents.  So how can directors tell whether their organisation is genuinely prepared? National Cyber Security Coordinator Michelle McGuinness explains why cyber security is a board responsibility, the questions directors should be asking and why boards should seek evidence rather than assurance when assessing cyber risk. The conversation also explores what happens when an incident actually occurs, including the role of directors during the first critical hours, communicating with stakeholders, and supporting teams operating under intense pressure. Michelle also shares practical advice on ransomware, extortion and follow-on scams. We cover: (04:40) - What cyber resilience means and why organisations need to prepare now.  (05:30) - How boards can assess their organisation's cyber resilience. (07:00) - What is at stake when organisations get cyber security wrong. (11:00) - How directors can determine whether the information they receive from management provides a genuine picture of cyber resilience. (16:00) - What should happen in the first hours of a serious cyber incident, the support available to organisations and where the board's role differs from managements. (25:00) - Why Michelle argues organisations should avoid paying cyber ransoms, and why payment does not remove an organisation's broader risks or obligations.  Learn more:   Ransomware Playbook - https://www.cyber.gov.au/ransomware-playbook AICD resource on governing through a cyber crisis - https://www.aicd.com.au/risk-management/framework/cyber-security/governing-through-a-cyber-crisis-cyber-incident-response-and-recovery-for-australian-directors.html  Connect:  Michelle McGuiness on Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/company/aucyberseccoord/?originalSubdomain=au AICD on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/australianinstituteofcompanydirectors/ Kulja Coulston on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulja-coulston/ Bennett Mason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-mason-10517336/  This episode Director Download was produced on the traditional lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples. We recognise First Nations peoples' cultural and spiritual relationships to the Skies, Land, Waters, and Seas, and their rich contribution to society.

As trust in institutions declines and economic pressures remain high, understanding community sentiment has become a critical capability for boards. In this episode of Director Download, Sue Vercoe, Managing Partner at SEC Newgate and Managing Director of its research practice, explains what her firm's "Mood of the Nation" research reveals about the issues shaping public attitudes in Australia.  Sue discusses why shifts in community sentiment can act as a "canary in the coal mine", highlighting emerging concerns before they translate into policy change, regulatory scrutiny or reputational risk.  She also shares practical advice on bringing external perspectives into the boardroom, understanding stakeholder expectations, building trust, and distinguishing long-term trends from short-term noise.  We cover: (02:00) - The current mood of Australians and how financial pressures are changing the issues people care about.  (05:30) - Why it's critical for boards to pay attention to community sentiment  (08:00) - How organisations can communicate their actions in a way that builds trust and cuts through. (13:30) - How boards can develop a more accurate understanding of what different stakeholder groups actually want. (16:30) - How directors can bridge the distance between the boardroom and the community and challenge their own assumptions.    Learn more: AICD's latest stakeholder guide - https://www.aicd.com.au/news-media/research-and-reports/stakeholder-governance-guide.html  SEC Newgate - https://www.secnewgate.com.au/   Connect:  Sue Vercoe on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/suevercoe  AICD on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/australianinstituteofcompanydirectors/ Kulja Coulston on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulja-coulston/ Bennett Mason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-mason-10517336/  This episode Director Download was produced on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people. We recognise First Nations peoples' cultural and spiritual relationships to the Skies, Land, Waters, and Seas, and their rich contribution to society. 

As the global economy shifts, some of the biggest opportunities for Australian organisations are emerging much closer to home. Across Asia and ASEAN countries, rapid economic and digital transformation is creating new markets, new competitors and new possibilities for growth.  In this episode, David Olsson, International Director at law firm Mallesons, explores what Asia's next chapter means for Australian boards and their organisations. He examines the geopolitical and economic forces reshaping the region, the opportunities emerging in ASEAN and China, and why long-standing calls to build Asia capability have become more relevant than ever. David challenges some of the assumptions that continue to influence boardroom thinking, including the idea that Asia is a single market and that market access alone is enough to succeed. He shares practical insights on how boards can build resilience, develop capability, understand regional dynamics and position their organisations for long-term success in the region.   We cover: (04:00) Why awareness of geopolitical risk is no longer enough, and the importance of board oversight, scenario planning and mapping offshore dependencies. (07:00) Why Australia's relationship with Asia matters more than ever, and the economic transformation underway across the region.  (10:00) Common misconceptions about doing business in Asia, including treating Asia as a single market and confusing market access with capability.  (18:00) How Australian boards can think about the country's economic relationship with China alongside its strategic relationship with the United States.  (20:30) China's economic trajectory and why David believes Australian directors should see the pace of change firsthand.  (23:00) How Australia is viewed across the region and the opportunity to build on existing goodwill and relationships.  Connect:  David Olsson on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/david-olsson-am-98457923  AICD on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/australianinstituteofcompanydirectors/ Kulja Coulston on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulja-coulston/ Bennett Mason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-mason-10517336/   This episode Director Download was produced on the traditional lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples. We recognise First Nations peoples' cultural and spiritual relationships to the Skies, Land, Waters, and Seas, and their rich contribution to society.