Boardroom Confidential
Boardroom Confidential is a podcast produced by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and hosted by Bennett Mason. It features candid conversations with influential Australian company directors, business leaders, and experts about their paths to the boardroom and career lessons. Each episode explores topics shaping modern governance, including leadership, decision-making, culture, risk, and strategy. The show offers practical insights for both experienced directors and those beginning their governance journey, with a focus on leading with purpose in today's business environment.
Episodes
Cyber Security Starts with Culture: What Boards Need to Know About AI, Risk and Resilience
Presented by Okta Cyber security is much more than just a technology issue. As AI tools become increasingly powerful and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, boards are being challenged to think differently about risk, resilience and organisational culture. In this episode, Ben King, Vice President for Security, Trust and Culture at Okta, explains why an organisation's people remain one of its g
Dr Eileen Doyle & Tim Bednall Take Us Inside the First Wave of Climate Reporting
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: http
A New Podcast From the AICD
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 b
Special Episode - Boards, AI Agents and the Next Wave of Cyber Risk
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: Why Transformations Go Off Track
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
Former MYOB boss Tim Reed on boards' potential AI blind spots, Australia's productivity puzzle, and what actually happens when private equity buys a business
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,
Innovation with Intent: OzHarvest Chair Lawrence Goldstone on Boards and Change
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
S3E11 – Diane Smith-Gander on transitioning to the boardroom, effective chairs, and the role of AI in modern governance
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
S3E10 - Visibility, Values and the Boardroom: Former David Jones CEO Paul Zahra on Inclusive Leadership
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
S3E9 – Former Mirvac CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz on Australia's housing challengers, gender diversity and transitioning to the boardroom
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.
S3E8 - Nothing About Us Without Us: Alastair McEwin on Disability, Leadership and the Boardroom
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 repr
S3E7 – Polycrisis and Boards: Merriden Varrall on the geopolitical risk directors can't ignore
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 dail
S3E6 – Brad Welsh: Career re-invention, curiosity in the boardroom, and unlocking First Nations talent
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
Holiday Archive - Audette Exel on social entrepreneurship in action, learning from mistakes, and the board's role in promoting philanthropy
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 directl
Holiday Archive - David Kirk on investing in Australia's tech start-ups, what big companies can learn from small ones, and how to prepare for board meetings
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 might
Holiday Archive - Marina Go on how to be an effective chair, tips for starting your director career, and why diversity is critical for boards
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
Holiday Archive - Andy Penn on preparing for cyber attacks, effective Chair-CEO relationships and governance at the National Gallery of Victoria
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 cy
S3E5 – Penny Bingham-Hall: Planning for cyber-attacks, climate governance in action, and building a boardroom portfolio
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
Special Episode - From the Server Room to the Boardroom: AI, Identity and the Cyber Risks Directors Can't Ignore
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 breach
S3E4 – Tim Trumper: Building AI-ready boards, chair succession done right, and leading through volatility
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 pla
S3E3 – Taryn Williams: Shifting from founder to director, balancing AI opportunities with guardrails, and boards' growing responsibility for brand and reputation
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 t
S3E2 – David Gallop: Staying calm in a crisis, lessons from the NRL & Football Australia, and how to make a CEO-Chair relationship work
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
S3E1 – Naomi Simson: Growing Red Balloon Group, small business under threat, and knowing when a founder should step down as CEO
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
Inside the AICD's Company Directors Course
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 part
Special Episode – Thomson Reuters CEO Steve Hasker: the rise of AI, lessons on private equity, and the future of news
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.
S2E12 – Kate Jenkins: Becoming the Chair of the Australian Sports Commission, gender targets at sports boards, and progress since the Respect@Work report
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 pre
S2E11 – Rebecca McGrath: inside a multi-billion-dollar M&A deal, preparing for meetings with a new board, and learnings from working overseas
Rebecca McGrath FAICD is the Chair of Investa Property Group, plus a director with Macquarie Group and Bank, Djerriwarrh Investments and Melbourne Business School. We talk about: OZ Minerals' multi-billion-dollar acquisition by BHP, learnings from working overseas, and preparing for meetings at a new board. Plus, key insights on the board's role in an effective decarbonisation plan.
S2E10 – Lisa Chung: Advice for new directors, governance at PwC Australia, and why boards need a sense of humour
Lisa Chung AM FAICD is the chair of Australian Unity and the Front Project. She also has board roles with PwC Australia, AVJennings and the Foundation of the Art Gallery of NSW. We discuss: advice for new directors, governance at PwC Australia and lessons on being a successful chair. Plus, why boards need a sense of humour.
S2E9 – Audette Exel: Social entrepreneurship in action, learning from mistakes, and the board's role in promoting philanthropy
Audette Exel AO is the Chair of Adara Group and a director at Westpac. She's also a former board member at Suncorp and ex-Chair of the Bermuda Stock Exchange. We discuss: Adara's mission & purpose, learning from mistakes, and social entrepreneurship in action. Plus, what can boards do to better promote philanthropy?
S2E8 – Jessica Bulger: First Nations perspectives on governance, balancing executive and board roles, benefits of a co-chair model
Jessica Bulger MAICD is the CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and the Co-Chair of Outward Bound Australia. We talk about: First Nations peoples' perspectives on governance, balancing executive and board roles, plus the benefits of a co-chair model.
S2E7 – David Kirk: Investing in Australia's tech start-ups, what big companies can learn from small ones, and how to prepare for board meetings
David Kirk MAICD is the chair of Bailador Technology Investments, KMD Brands and KiwiHarvest. He's also a former CEO at Fairfax Limited and captained the All Blacks to their first Rugby World Cup victory. We discuss: investing in Australia's tech start-ups, what big companies can learn from smaller ones, and tips on preparing for board meetings. Plus, lessons from the sporting field on how to buil
S2E6 – Jane Spring: Advice for new board members, lived experience in the disability sector and key questions for management
Jane Spring AM is the chair of the Australian Disability Strategy Advisory Council and the NSW Disability Council. She's also chair at Sydney University Sport and a board member with Venues NSW. We speak with Jane about: advice for new board members, the importance of lived experience for boards in the disability sector, and her key questions for management.
S2E5 – Dr Susan Neuhaus: Leadership lessons from the ADF, governance at the Australian War Memorial and transferring skills from the operating theatre to the boardroom
Dr Susan Neuhaus AM CSC FAICD is a Council Member at the Australian War Memorial, plus a director with Aspen Medical, Medical Insurance Group Australia and Defence Health Limited. She's also a practising surgeon and had a distinguished 20-year career in the Australian Army and Army Reserve. Susan talks with us about leadership lessons from the Australian Defence Force, governance at the Australian
S2E4 – Dr Ian Oppermann: AI opportunities, data safeguards, and scientists in the boardroom
Dr Ian Oppermann GAICD is a co-founder of ServiceGen, plus the former Chief Data Scientist for the New South Wales Government. He speak to us about: artificial intelligence opportunities, governance safeguards around the use of data, and what scientists can add to the boardroom.
S2E3 – Dr Larry Marshall: Net zero challenges, future tech trends and the board's role in fostering innovation
Dr Larry Marshall FAICD is a director with Fortescue and Nanosonics, plus a former CEO at the CSIRO. We talk about: challenges in the transition to net zero, future technology trends and the board's role in fostering innovation at their organisation.
S2E2 – Virginia Bourke: Lessons from the pandemic, challenges for the NFP sector and conflicts in the boardroom
Virginia Bourke FAICD is the Chair of Mercy Health, Pro-Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University and a director with Catholic Health Australia. She speaks to us about: lessons from the pandemic on crisis management, challenges for the NFP sector and tips for resolving conflicts in the boardroom.
S2E1 - Andrew Penn: Preparing for cyber attacks, effective Chair-CEO relationships and governance issues at the National Gallery of Victoria
Andrew Penn AO is a director with Coles Group and a council member at the National Gallery of Victoria. He's also a former CEO of Telstra and served as the Chair of the federal government's Expert Advisory Panel on cyber security strategy. We talk about: lessons for boards on cyber security, advice around effective Chair-CEO relationships, and governance issues at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Boardroom Conversations - Season two is coming soon
A new season of the AICD's Boardroom Conversations podcast is set to launch soon. We'll be talking to more of Australia's top directors about their careers, leadership lessons and the key issues facing today's boardrooms. Each episode will have important insights for experienced directors, and people who are just beginning their board careers.
Sally-Ann Williams: Diversity in STEM, shared values in the boardroom, and governance at start-ups.
Sally-Ann Williams GAICD is the CEO of tech incubator Cicada Innovations and the Chair of the Federal Government's "Diversity in STEM" Review. She's also a director at Qudos Bank and a member of the CSIRO Data61 Advisory Board. We discuss: directors' role in boosting diversity in STEM fields, the importance of shared values in the boardroom, and governance at start-ups. Plus: how Cicada helps tec
Arlene Tansey & Heith Mackay-Cruise: First board positions, shifting from executive to director, and the importance of mentoring
Arlene Tansey FAICD and Heith Mackay-Cruise FAICD are company directors and board members at the AICD. We discuss their first board roles, the shift from an executive career to being a director, and the importance of mentoring. Plus: how should you decide which boards to join? This special episode of Boardroom Conversations was recorded live at the AICD Staff Summit.
Shelley Reys: the Voice to Parliament, how boards can approach reconciliation, and planning for the Brisbane Olympics
Shelley Reys AO MAICD is the CEO of Arrilla Indigenous Consulting, plus a Board Member and Partner and KPMG Australia. She's also a board member with the organising committee of the Brisbane Olympics and the Chair of the Council for the Order of Australia. We talk about: the referendum on the Voice to Parliament, how boards can approach reconciliation, and planning for the Brisbane Olympics.
Jenn Morris: Lessons from a gold medal winner, advice on picking your next CEO, and boards' developing approach to climate change
Jenn Morris MAICD is a director with Argonaut, Liontown Resources and Sandfire. She also won gold medals for Australia in hockey at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. We discuss: lessons from Jenn's career in sports, advice on picking your company's next CEO, and boards' developing approach to climate change. Plus, what's the right composition for a sports organisation's board?
Bruce Cowley: Advice for your first board role, improvements for the Corporations Act, and the importance of stakeholder engagement
Bruce Cowley FAICD is the Chair of the Queensland Trust for Nature and a board member with the Australian Retirement Trust. He's also one of the speakers for this year's AICD Essential Director Update (EDU). We talk about advice before taking your first board role, potential improvements to Australia's Corporations Act, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. Plus, we discuss some of the to
Jacqueline Chow: CEO succession planning, chemistry in the boardroom, and tips on shifting from executive to board director
Jacqueline Chow GAICD is a director with Boral, Charter Hall, Coles, and nib. She's also one of the speakers for this year's AICD Essential Director Update (EDU). We discuss: planning for CEO succession, the importance of chemistry in the boardroom, and tips on shifting from an executive career to becoming a board director. Plus, we speak about some of the topics Jacqueline will address at the 2
Alan Duffy: The governance of space, what STEM professionals can add to the board, and the dangers of jargon
Professor Alan Duffy GAICD is an astronomer and scientist. He's also the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Flagship Initiatives at Swinburne University, plus the co-founder and CEO of mDetect, a muon technology company. We talk about: the governance of space, how STEM professionals can contribute to the boardroom, and the dangers of using jargon in communication. Plus, what's a "muon" and why is Alan's comp
Judy Slatyer: Creating safeguards for AI, lessons on avoiding greenwashing, and changing attitudes towards ESG
Judy Slatyer MAICD is the Chair of the NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, plus Natural Carbon. She's also a leader of the National AI Centre's Responsible AI think tank, a Director with WWF Australia and a former CEO at the Australian Red Cross. We discuss: why artificial intelligence is an important issue for boards, advice for directors on avoiding greenwashing, and changing attit
John M. Green: Artificial intelligence risks, what to ask on cyber security, and lessons from the pandemic
John M. Green is a director at Challenger and board member with the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre. He's also a former Deputy Chair at insurance giant QBE. John talks about: the risks around the increasing use of artificial intelligence, questions for directors to ask on cyber security, and lessons for boards from the pandemic. Plus, we discuss John's career as a novelist and his rol
Graeme Innes: NFP board pay, tips for a successful merger, and the risks of staying on a board for too long
Graeme Innes AM GAICD is the Chancellor of Central Queensland University and a board member with the National Disability Insurance Agency. He's also a former Disability Discrimination Commissioner and former Human Rights Commissioner. Graeme talks about: why NFP organisations should pay their directors, the chair's role in a successful merger, and the dangers of staying on a board for too long. Pl
Dr Kirstin Ferguson: Why modern leaders use both their head and their heart
Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM FAICD is an author, columnist, and company director. She's the former Acting Chair and Deputy Chair of the ABC, and currently on the boards of PEXA and Envato. We talk about leadership lessons from Kirstin's military career, her first director positions and the importance of feedback in the boardroom. Plus, we discuss Kirstin's new award-winning and best-selling book "Head a
Andrew Fraser: From the cabinet room to the boardroom, mega mergers in the super sector, and the importance of succession planning
Andrew Fraser is the former Deputy Premier of Queensland and the chair of super fund Australian Retirement Trust. He's also the chair of NFP Orange Sky, the President of Motorsport Australia, and a director with the Brisbane Broncos. We talk about his path from politics to the boardroom, mergers in the superannuation sector, and the importance of succession planning.
Marina Go: How to be an effective chair, tips for starting your director career, and why diversity is critical for boards
Marina Go MAICD is the Chair of Adore Beauty, and a director with Energy Australia, 7-Eleven and Transurban. She tells us how her media career prepared her for the boardroom. Plus: advice on being an effective chair, tips for finding your first director position, and lessons from the boardroom of an NRL club.
Trailer
Practical advice and fascinating insights from the boardroom! Listen to this exciting new podcast from the AICD.
