By Invitation Only

October 22-28, 2009

London, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO

Following successful events in New York and London in 2008, Opportunity Australia 2009 was held in London, New York and San Francisco.

With interactive sessions from Australia’s leading investment experts, the event once again provided practical advice on how to distribute products, how to establish business in Australia, regulatory controls and human resource management.

Specifically tailored to offshore funds managers, the exclusive one-day events unveiled all the risks and opportunities involved in entering one of the fastest growing investment markets in the world.

From investor appetite, to legal and accounting hurdles, at the close of this event delegates were armed with all the ammunition to enter this burgeoning market.

This was a must-attend event for any firm wishing to capture opportunities presented by Australia’s mandated pension industry and a widening interest in offshore investing.

In addition to representatives from sponsors, experts in their chosen fields, carefully selected representatives from consulting and institutional investing firms were included in the program, ensuring that delegates received a full picture of the investment environment in Australia.

Conexus Financial hosted a networking cocktail reception following each conference for all attendees and guests.

Highlights

National manager, financial services, Austrade, Gary Johnston highlights the growth of Australia’s superannuation and investment market, fuelled by a mandated superannuation system, and the opportunities for offshore service providers.

Senior manager investments, AustralianSuper, Peter Curtis, outlines the needs and demands of large institutional investors in Australia, focusing on their asset allocation and manager selection decision making, and appetite for new products.

There are various options for offshore fund managers wishing to enter the Australian market. This detailed session will outline three common options used and the key commercial and regulatory drivers in choosing the most appropriate option for a business. The session will cover marketing to Australian investors, working with third party service providers to establish an Australian presence and setting up an Australian office. The panel of experts includes:

Sheridan Lee, Principal of third-party marketing firm, Shed Enterprises

Elizabeth Gray and Nikki Bentley partners at law firm, Henry Davis York

Kylie Holbrook, business unit manager, fund compliance services at Perpetual

John Williams, managing director of accounting firm, Lumina

David Dawson, managing director and Warren McAuley, partner, of executive search and advisory firm, Primary Asset Consulting, will discuss the talent environment in the Australian financial services sector including innovative solutions around team liftouts, manager acquisition and business builds.

Andy Sowerby, managing director of Martin Currie Asset Management, reviews the various options the manager debated in marketing its products to Australian investors, including the decision to set up an office and hire an Australian head.