Opportunity Australia London 2008

Opportunity Australia London 2008

by invitation only

Australia House, The Strand, London

supported by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)

Specifically tailored to British and European investment firms, this exclusive one-day event will unveil 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 will be armed with all the ammunition to enter this burgeoning market.

The 2008 Watson Wyatt Global Pensions Assets Study shows that Australian superannuation fund growth continues to outpace the rest of the developed world.

At the end of 2007 assets of Australia’s superannuation funds increased to $US1.01 trillion, up more than $US117 billion. Superannuation assets in Australia now account for 105 per cent of the value of the country’s annual gross domestic product, compared with just 46 per cent 10 years ago.

These are compelling figures. But how does an offshore manager go about capturing a share of this market? This conference will unveil everything you need to know about launching into the Australian market.

After a successful event in New York in June, Opportunity Australia will now be held in London at the Australian High Commission.

Through interactive and instructive sessions from Australia’s leading investment experts, this conference will provide practical advice on how to distribute products, how to establish business in Australia, regulatory controls and human resource management.

A must-attend event for British and European firms wishing to capture opportunities presented by Australia’s mandated superannuation industry and a widening interest in offshore investing.

Conexus Financial will be hosting a cocktail reception at Australia House following the conference for all attendees and guests. 

Program details & speakers presentations:

9.15 – 9.30
Opening by chair, Colin Tate, executive director, Conexus Financial.

The market

The Australian investment market is the fastest growing in the world, but who are the decision makers, what are the asset allocation trends and how compatible are offshore funds.

9.30 – 9.35

The High Commissioner, John Dauth, will outline the ease with which British and European firms are doing business in Australia and the similarities and differences in trade between the two nations, as well as painting a picture of the investment landscape in Australia.

9.35 – 10.15

Economic environment

National Australia Bank is one of the world’s top 30 financial services companies with total funds under custody and administration of $A474 billion. nabCapital is a division the bank, offering an extensive range of funding, risk management and investment solutions. In this session, Tom Vosa, will talk about the structure of the Australian economy and the landscape for domestic and international investing. Tom Vosa.ppt.pdf

10.15 – 10.45

Australia, the place to be

Simon O’Regan, Mercer’s global head of regions and the head of Europe region, worked as the head of Australia for many years, here he gives insight into changing nature of the industry structure, the consultant’s view of different funds managers’ approaches to marketing; the system of rating funds managers in Australia, as well as the popular products. Simon ORegan.pdf
10.45 – 11.00

Question Time

11.00 – 11.30 Morning tea

Institutional investor appetite

11.30 – 12.00
Colin Tate, director of Conexus Financial, will outline the areas of growth in the financial services industry in Australia. There are multiple channels and product categories which you can consider as large investors pursue increasingly targeted investment strategies. A predominantly fully funded, defined contribution system means that Australia has strong and consistent flow of new money, and a need to seek out new investment opportunities. Colin Tate.pdf
12.00 -12.30

Stuff ups from a CFO’s perspective

John Williams, managing director of specialist outsourced accountancy and advisory service, Lumina, looks at the business case for building a funds management business in Australia, and showcases some of the successes and failures of foreign funds managers migrating to Australia.

Structural issues

1.30 – 2.30

Legal requirements

In Australia there are few restrictions on what retail and wholesale investors can invest in, but the market has a comprehensive licensing, disclosure, registration and tax system. Betsy Ann Howe and Rob Hanley, partners at Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Australia’s most successful commercial law firm, will explain how to navigate the system and what will drive the types of pooled vehicles that are workable. Betsy-Ann Howe_Robert Hanley.pdf

2.30 – 3.00

Responsible Entity

One option for offshore managers is to set up a managed fund in Australia and outsource all aspects of regulatory compliance to a responsible entity, allowing managers to focus on their core investment competencies. Perpetual Fund Compliance Services, a division of ASX Top 200 company Perpetual Limited, is a leading provider of corporate trustee and responsible entity services to Australian and international fund managers. Kylie Holbrook, business unit manager, fund compliance services, will outline the role of a responsible entity, its engagement and ongoing relationships with fund managers, custodians and other service providers. Kylie Holbrook.pdf

3.00 - 3.45 afternoon tea

Distribution strategies

3.45 – 4.15

The distribution options

Distribution strategies are key to success in any business. Third-party marketing firm, Shed Enterprises, specialises in the representation of predominantly off-shore, style-diversified fund managers to the wholesale Australian and New Zealand investment community. Senior Business Development Manager, Mike Stewart, will examine the pros and cons of the various market entry options, including cost and personnel issues, and what to expect when you get to Australia. Michael Stewart.pdf

4.15 – 4.45

Experience

Australia is the only market in the world where Al Gore’s Generation Investment Management, has distributed via an exclusive platform arrangement to the retail market. Here director of Generation, Mark Mills discusses the firm’s Australian experience and the different proposals available for distribution. Mark Mills.pdf

4.45 – 5.15

Case Study: Martin Currie

Andy Sowerby, managing director of marketing and product for Martin Currie will showcase the firm’s assessment of the Australian market place, a number of distribution options and the reasons for its strategy decision to open a Melbourne office. Andy Sowerby.pdf

5.15 – 5.30
Conference close – Colin Tate, executive director, Conexus Financial

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