Risk Australia

Theo provides strategic direction for global risk management programs in the investment management group (IMG) through design, governance of operational risk management strategies and is responsible for the leadership and oversight of the IMG operational risk function across multiple disciplines for Asia-Pacific.

Prior to joining Vanguard in November 2011, Theo's held the role of head of risk at ANZ Private Wealth. Theo has extensive experience within operational risk, regulatory compliance and credit risk across mortgage lending, insurance, asset finance, asset management, margin lending and stockbroking with the ANZ Banking Group.

Theo holds a Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) degree from Monash University.

Vasyl Nair is the Chief Risk Officer of Mine Super and is responsible for its risk, compliance and legal functions (prior to this, Vasyl was employed with Mine Super in the role of Chief Strategy Officer). Vasyl has a background in law and corporate finance, having also held roles across operations, strategy, marketing and risk related functions at some of Australia’s largest financial services institutions (including Westpac Banking Corporation and the Commonwealth Bank). Vasyl holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hon), Bachelor of Commerce, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and an Executive Master of Business Administration. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW as a solicitor, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has achieved a Certificate of Business Excellence from the Haas School of Business, U.C. Berkeley.

Mine Superannuation Fund (Mine Super) is a profit to members, public offer super fund dedicated to serving the retirement needs of all Australians. Its enduring purpose is to deliver an exceptional retirement for members which achieves peace of mind along the way. Mine Super employs 200 staff and manages over $11 billion in funds for approximately 65,000 members. In addition to superannuation and pension products, Mine Super offers its members insurance and access to financial advice.

Henrik is the co-founder and CIO of Apollo Capital, Australia’s premier crypto fund. Henrik has over 17 years of experience in global financial markets, with almost a decade on Wall Street. Henrik has extensive experience across three continents as a quantitative analyst, senior research analyst and in institutional equity sales. Henrik holds a Master of Science in engineering physics from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and a Master of Science in business administration and economics from Stockholm University. He is a CFA charterholder.

Michael joined BTIM in August 2017 and leads the Multi Asset Investments team. Michael has over 20 years’ investment management and consulting experience and joined BTIM from First State Super, where he was Head of Investment Strategy since January 2014. In this role, Michael was responsible for the establishment of an active asset allocation process and led the Fund’s Investment Strategy Team. Prior to this appointment, Michael was Head of Diversified Strategies at Perpetual for over five years, with portfolio management responsibilities for the manager’s range of diversified funds. Michael’s prior experience includes over 10 years in consulting roles at Watson Wyatt (now Willis Towers Watson) and NSP Buck.

Damian commenced with QSuper in July 2009. As Head of Investment Strategy his responsibilities include guiding Asset Allocation as well as managing Investment Risk and Strategy.

Driven by processes developed by Damian and his team, QSuper has been an industry leader in Dynamic Asset Allocation and developing risk balanced portfolios, delivering top tier returns with risk around 25% lower than other high returning funds.

Previously Damian was Head of the Portfolio Design team in QIC’s Investment Strategy team where he focused on design for QIC’s core clients - QSuper and Queensland Treasury.

Damian commenced his career as a Chemical Engineer and worked in industry for 5 years. During this time he completed a Graduate Diploma of Accounting, and is now a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA).

Other financial experience includes roles with Macquarie Bank, CBA Institutional Banking, and Credit Suisse Financial Products.

He has written an easy reading book explaining investing and the global economic issues of the day, Kitchen Table Economics & Investing, released by University of Queensland Press in January 2013. To find out more about Damian visit his website www.barenakedeconomist.com

Donovan leads the Risk and Compliance team for Westpac’s insurance entities, including Life Insurance, General Insurance, and Lenders Mortgage Insurance.  He is responsible for overseeing all risks faced by these entities, both financial and non-financial.  A big part of Donovan’s role is working with key stakeholders, including the Board and regulators, in making sense of the risks faced by these entities in increasingly “VUCA” (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) times.  Donovan previously led risk and compliance teams at the Commonwealth Bank, and his career spans a variety of roles in superannuation, banking, and regulation. 

Sangeeta Venkatesan is the Chairman of FairVine Super, a superannuation fund designed for women, and CEO and Co-founder of Applegrove Capital, a capital advisory firm focused on sustainable investment including renewable energy, healthcare and agriculture. She is a highly sought-after speaker, media commentator, judge for awards functions and thought leader across banking and finance, superannuation, fin-tech, sustainable investing and gender equality. She is no stranger to breaking through the glass ceiling. Thus far she is the only female who has been the CEO of a stockbroking firm (APP Securities) in Australia. She also serves as a Board Member of Women in Banking and Finance, and Treasurer of Australia-India Business Council NSW. Having worked in the banking and finance sector for more than 23 years, Sangeeta’s experience spans several continents including London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, at some of the most prominent and globally recognised firms, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers/ Nomura, KPMG, and The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (‘CBA’). Whist at CBA Sangeeta represented the bank at various government led Australia-China financial collaboration dialogues and co-authored a book titled “The Renminbi – from the Peoples’ Money to a Global Currency” focusing on the evolving Chinese economy and financial liberalisation, and opportunities for both Australian and Chinese companies that trade or invest across the corridor. She played a significant role in integrating the erstwhile Lehman Bothers’ business into Nomura and represented the firm at The International Swaps and Derivatives Association’s (ISDA) Credit Derivatives Committee and Association for Financial Markets in Europe’s (AFME) Credit Board. Sangeeta won the ‘Innovator of the Year’ award at Money Management and Super Review’s Women in Financial Services Awards 2019.

David was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Courts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria (as well as the High Court of Australia) in 1998.

David previously worked in the corporate and financial services divisions of Clayton Utz in Sydney, and Linklaters in London and Tokyo, followed by four years in the Financial Services Group of Macquarie Bank in Sydney.

Antoine is the Head of Market Risk for UBS Australia and New Zealand since 2016 and was appointed Chief Risk Officer in 2019.

Prior to joining UBS, Antoine held numerous senior risk and trader roles across the APAC region, specializing in equity derivatives trading.

Antoine has over 20 years of risk and trading management experience in the financial services industry in Asia-Pacific markets.