Chris is the Founder and CEO of Castle Hall, where he leads a team of more than 100 professionals conducting operational, ESG, risk and cyber due diligence on behalf of more than 150 asset owners worldwide.

Chris is one of the industry’s very first operational due diligence professionals. After audit experience with both Deloitte and PwC, Chris began his due diligence career in 1997 with the Atlantic Philanthropies (a multi billion dollar foundation and early hedge fund investor). Chris then joined UBP (2001) and co-founded Amber Partners (2004).

Chris is an advocate for enhanced best practices across the asset management industry. In addition to his work at Castle Hall, Chris served for 6 years as a member of the CFA Institute Capital Markets Policy Council, acting as Chair for a maximum three-year term. 

Chris is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and is a CFA Charterholder.

Marian is Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Global Head of Product, based in Sydney, Australia.

Marian is responsible for market engagement, client success and go to market strategy in the Asia Pacific region and in her global product role is responsible for product research, management and development, as well as marketing activities.

Marian works closely with clients and the wider industry to identify market trends and to drive the development of technology driven front to back-office client-focused solutions in the Funds space.

Marian supports the changing needs of Milestone Group’s clients through delivering in depth investment operational and implementation knowledge, a strong delivery and commercial focus, as well as being an active advocate in the industry promoting investment operational excellence and innovation.

With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Marian has extensive experience across a range of relevant and complimentary disciplines, including roles focused on investment consulting, superannuation, funds management, custody and investment operations. Most recently, Marian held the position of Managing Director, at RBC Investor & Treasury Services and was previously Head of Product, Investor Services in Australia & New Zealand at J.P. Morgan Chase. She also held a senior role as a Principal Consultant at Mercer Investment Consulting for several years.

Marian is a well-known industry advocate who promotes efficiency, innovation and broader recognition of the contribution of the investment operations industry and the participants within it, such as FinTechs, to deliver positive financial outcomes to end investors.

Jack has seven years of recruitment experience across Investment Management and Superannuation. He graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Commerce. Halfway through his degree, Jack went to the United States on a football (soccer) scholarship before returning to Australia to finish his studies.

He started his recruitment journey as a graduate at a global recruitment firm headquartered in the UK. Jack took a year out of recruitment and joined a US-listed global technology advisory firm, working with C-Level Executives. He returned to recruitment for the long term, bringing in refreshing strategic insights and new ideas.

Jack constantly goes above and beyond for his clients and candidates, bringing them market insights and opportunities with reputable firms. He loves meeting new people, discovering their unique needs, and being able to help them achieve their dream job.

Outside of work, Jack loves playing sports such as soccer and boxing and even completed the 100km Bondi to Manly walk during COVID in just over 17 hours.

Nancy is the Chief Operating Officer, Investments at Cbus – one of Australia’s top performing Superannuation funds with over AUD$74 billion in Funds Under Management (FUM), servicing more than 850,000 members from the construction, building and allied industries.

Appointed as COO Investments in September 2020, Nancy has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services and superannuation industry, leading a wide range of functions including finance, governance, risk and compliance, and investment operations.

As Chief Operating Officer, Nancy leads Cbus’ Investment operations team, covering functions including Investment risk and compliance, legal and governance, data and performance analytics, and tax. Nancy was instrumental in leading the Investments operations components of Cbus’ successful merger with Media Super earlier this year, and during her time as COO has led a transformation in Cbus’ operational capability supporting investment activity.

Nancy is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, developing and leading Cbus Investments’ diversity and inclusion employee resource group.

Nupur has nearly 5 years’ experience recruiting across the financial services industry in Australia, specifically within funds management, superannuation, insurance and treasury, with a background of working within the industry at Goldman Sachs previously and qualifications in business management, and sustainable finance.

While she specialises in recruiting across investment accounting, investment operations, finance and accounting positions, Nupur has experience in recruiting a broader range of positions within the industry including ESG/Responsible Investment positions.

In her role, she also has had the privilege to present at the Connexus Financial’s Investment Operations Conference 2021, at ASFA and to Women in Investments on a range of topics across the employment market landscape, diversity and inclusion. Nupur has also volunteered and participated in initiatives with Women in Super, FINSIA and RCSA.

Nupur continues to contribute to people’s journeys in landing their dream roles and solving problems with diligence and compassion. She has had the opportunity to forge deep industry relationships, with market specialisation and penetration across leading global and domestic businesses. This, coupled with experience working in the industry itself and a relationship-oriented mindset, has allowed her to operate with industry acumen and empathy with clients and candidates alike.

Outside of work, Nupur enjoys travelling and exploring different cultures, perusing a good book and continuously being challenged by learning new things.

Antony joined Sunsuper 5 years ago as Head of Investment Operations and is currently Head of Operations & Performance at Australian Retirement Trust. Antony previously held a role as Head of Product Services at NAB Asset Management where he managed and serviced NAB Asset Management’s products as well as overseeing institutional client transitions. Antony has over 20 years’ of experience with financial institutions across a number of senior roles including asset transitions, relationship management, product operations, investment operations, capital markets, data, unit pricing and custody.

Mike is responsible for business development for CEM outside of North America and Europe. His personal clients include pension and sovereign wealth funds in Australia, Asia, Canada, the Middle-east, New Zealand, and the United States.

Mike is a frequent speaker at global pension events where he shares performance and best practice insights from the CEM research program.

He is the founder of CEM’s Global Leaders Service, a research collaboration including leading global pension and sovereign wealth funds.

Mike is also the co-founder of the Global Pension Transparency Benchmark (GPTB), a collaboration between CEM and top1000funds.com. The GPTB is the global standard for pension disclosure, bringing a focus on transparency to improve pension outcomes for members.

Mike has an undergraduate degree in Physical and Health Education from Laurentian University and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.

Tim Helyar joined State Street in November 2021 as Country Head for Australia. He is responsible for the overall management of the Asset Servicing, Global Markets, State Street Alpha and State Street Digital businesses, encompassing business strategy, commercials, client and regulator relationships, as well as directorship on the associated legal entities.

Tim is a seasoned executive with more than 22 years of experience in the financial services industry across asset servicing, wealth management, and superannuation in multiple locations including Sydney and London.

Prior to joining State Street Tim spent 17 years at J.P. Morgan. Most recently he was the head of Fund Services Product Development in APAC, driving major platform transformation for the organisation, and prior to that he worked in various senior capacities across product management, product development and operations. He was also actively involved in strategic client relationships and driving change to deliver solutions to meet clients’ needs across product, commercial and transformational requirements.

Tim started his career in BT Financial Group in Australia in fund accounting, investment operations, and relationship management.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UNSW as well as being a CFA charter holder with the CFA Institute 

Clayton Issitt leads the State Street Alpha APAC Client Solutions team with over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Administration from Kansas State University.

His team is responsible for managing all aspects of the solution design, leveraging a consultative approach to drive client-focused outcomes across the Asia Pacific region. With a keen focus on enablement through bringing together technology with human services, his remit includes leading client discovery workshops and engagements as well as design and review of client target operating models and business architecture. 

Clayton has been based in the Sydney office since 2011, having held a number of roles across fund/portfolio operations, client service, technology, implementation and business development. He has also represented State Street Australia on the Australian Custodial Services Association’s(ACSA) data task force. Clayton joined State Street in 2008 in Kansas City.

AustralianSuper manages more than AUD$258 billion in members’ retirement savings on behalf of more than 2.87 million members from more than 412,000 businesses. One in 8 working Australians is a member of AustralianSuper, the nation’s largest superannuation fund.

Shane Kelly is the Head of Investment Operations at AustralianSuper, where he is responsible for leading the next evolution of its global Investment Operations of the Fund in both its capacity as Trustee and Investment Manager of our Members Assets.

He also acts as Sponsor for two of the Fund’s strategic transformational projects:  Liquidity & Treasury Management System which will support the implementation of the Fund’s in house Treasury activities; and Project Endeavour the migration and operational changes of moving onto the new Investment Accounting platform.

He has over 20 years of financial and operational experience across multiple products and jurisdictions including superannuation, investment banking, and financial services.

Shane joined the Fund in 2022, following senior management roles across London, Hong Kong and Sydney, including General Manager Market Operations, Commonwealth Bank and Head of Fund Services Operations (APAC), JP Morgan.

Shane holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) from the University College Dublin and is a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Michael joined Aware Super (formerly First State Super) in August 2020 as Head of Investment Operations (now Investment Services) and is based out of Sydney. His role currently entails supporting the Aware Investment team in the functions of Investment Data & Reporting, Fund Operations, Direct Asset Control, and Investment Control & Implementation. Prior to this Michael had over 17 years with State Street across 3 countries and 3 separate business lines. Before joining Aware Super, he was Managing Director of Global Process Delivery, India. Other roles included Asia Pacific Chief Operating Officer for State Street Global Markets based out of Hong Kong and Head of Investment Operations for State Street Global Advisors in Bangalore.

Before leaving Sydney in 2013 Michael was formerly Asia-Pacific Head of Investment Operations for SSGA whom he joined in 2002. He was responsible for overseeing the various groups within the Investment Operations teams of Sydney, Hong Kong and Tokyo as well as being a Director of State Street Global Advisors Australia Services Limited who is the Responsible Entity for the SSGA ASX listed SPDR ETF’s and unlisted pooled vehicles. Michael joined the funds management industry in 1998.

Michael received a Bachelor of Commerce in Banking and Finance from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia

Stephen is the Chief Operating Officer at HESTA, one of the largest and fastest growing superannuation funds in the country, with more than 1 million members and $70 billion in funds under management. He is also a Director on the Board of the Mothers Day Classic Foundation.

At HESTA, Stephen leads the strategic development and coordination of digital innovation and integration, investment operations, data and technology.

Nadia Schiavon is responsible for the strategic direction and overall delivery of J.P. Morgan’s Securities Services business in Australia and New Zealand.

In this role, Nadia oversees all aspects of J.P. Morgan’s products and services for asset owner and asset manager clients including sales, service, product, operations and technology.

Nadia is an experienced senior leader with almost 30 years of banking experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Nadia worked at Citi for over 23 years. Throughout her career Nadia has held senior positions including Country CFO, Head of Operations and Technology, and Global Transaction Services. 

Nadia is the Executive Sponsor of J.P. Morgan’s partnership with Women in Super and takes a pro-active role sponsoring and mentoring upcoming leaders within the financial services sector.

Sinclair is responsible for all sales activities and client relationships for HSBC Securities Services across Australia and New Zealand, and a leader within the HSBC Institutional Sales team. He was previously Head of Platform Solutions for APAC at State Street, and spent 18 ½ years in a variety of different asset servicing roles across wealth management (US & UK), securities financing (UK and Australia), sales and platforms (APAC). Prior to State Street, Sinclair was Director of Product Design for Omgeo CTM, and a manager in Accenture’s financial services group in North America. He holds a Masters in Applied Finance and Investment from FINSIA, a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from The University of Sydney, and has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Geoff leads APRA’s Investment Risk team. The team provides insights into regulated entities and the industry regarding investment strategy setting, risk management frameworks & implementation, and investment governance to APRA and external stakeholders. He has deep experience in determining risk appetites, investment objectives and asset allocation strategies, in addition to researching manager and other investment opportunities.

Prior to joining APRA in September 2021, Geoff was Head of Investment Advisory at TCorp, having transferred from NSW WorkCover in 2015 where he was Director, Investment Management. Geoff’s previous roles include research and portfolio construction roles at Challenger and Macquarie, investment consulting at Mercer and analytics at CBA and AMP Capital.

Geoff holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Macquarie University, Graduate Diploma of Finance & Investment from FINSIA and is a CFA Charterholder.

David is well known to the industry and brings over 25 years’ experience in the custody and investment administration industry across a variety of senior roles and has a deep knowledge of the industry and its role within financial services in Australia which can be leveraged by the association.

David has experience managing a variety of stakeholders including industry participants, clients, regulators, and other financial services associations. David has led the digital transformation of the Australian business of a global technology enabled bank and set up a RegTech business leveraging new technologies which will is valuable experience as ACSA engages with ongoing changes in technology and data evolution in financial services.

Scott’s experience across funds management, investment, finance and banking industries is approaching 30 years.

Scott is responsible for the development and management of IFM Investors’ oversight of investment and counterparty risks and best execution activities, valuation oversight and the operationalisation of related market and regulatory changes.

Scott chairs IFM’s Private Equity Valuation Committee and Debt Investments Valuation Committee.

In previous roles at IFM Investors Scott lead the APAC Debt Investments team, with responsibility for cash, bond and credit investment strategies, and had joint portfolio management of IFM’s flagship credit fund the IFM Specialised Credit Fund.

He has worked at Western Asset Management, Citigroup Asset Management and Westpac. Scott’s experience covers Australian and global markets including a period working in London.

Scott is a CFA charter holder, member of the CFA Institute and holds a Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) with Distinction from RMIT University.

Trent leads the Investment Reporting, Performance Attribution, and Risk Reporting teams at AustralianSuper.

Prior to joining AustralianSuper in 2016, Trent held roles with Queensland Investment Corporation, ART (QSuper), Pinnacle Investment Management and Suncorp.

Trent holds a Bachelor of Business from Queensland University of Technology and he is both a CFA Charterholder and a CIPM Certificate Holder.

Sandra is the GM, Professional Development at the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) overseeing AIST’s program of conferences and events. Prior to joining AIST, Sandra was CEO of Women in Super, a role she held for 8 years. Sandra has contributed to many superannuation industry policy committees. Previously Sandra spent 18 years in relationship management roles in the investment management industry including 6 years at Goldman Sachs Asset Management where she founded the London division’s Women’s Network. Sandra holds a BA in International Business Studies & Languages from Dublin City University and has undertaken postgraduate studies in International Law and Arbitration at the Copenhagen Business School and Sports Law at King’s College, London.

15+ Years international experience in Technology & Finance

Key expertise in Front Office Development operating models

Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University, Prince2 Practitioner, Six Sigma Green Belt

Extensive experience building insights across both Public (Equities, Fixed Income) & Private (Infrastructure, Property, Private Equity) asset classes

Led the development of a Data & Analytics "Target State“, and multi year roadmap, in the role of Business Architect for the Australian Future Fund

Led the selection of Golden Source as the data warehousing solution for a large scale Investment Data Management program

Led a 'Business Intelligence' dashboard team creating interactive portfolio analytics for Investment Teams on the Microsoft PowerBI platform

Led the implementation of multiple internally built platforms supporting current state discovery, ‘citizen development’, and Front Office Analytics

Ran multiple competitive tenders for the provision of enterprise wide Mobility and Technology Managed Services

Jo Leaper is the Head of Operational Consulting. In this role, Jo focuses her time on the operational needs of JANA’s client base, including custody and operational research (including operational due diligence and securities lending), governance reviews and assisting JANA’s clients with broad operational expertise.

With almost 20 years of industry experience, Jo‘s background in asset servicing and relationship management has honed her core strengths of operations management and client strategy. Her current role enables her to assist clients and is ever expanding with regards to researching better ways to help and guide JANA’s client base.