Sponsors

Keynote Speakers

Richard L. (Dick) Ensweiler

Richard L. (Dick) Ensweiler is President and CEO of the Texas Credit Union League. He was Treasurer/Manager of the Harley Davidson Credit Union, a Senior Officer of the CUNA Mutual Group and has worked for or managed 4 Credit Union Leagues. Dick is also Past Chairman of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and is currently chairing its Membership Growth Task Force.

Ross Honeywill

The doyen of consumer behaviour, Ross Honeywill is an internationally recognised authority on the impact of a changing social fabric on the future of business & politics, of marketers and employers.

Through his leadership role at KPMG (Asia/Pacific) between 1997 and 2001, Ross has become recognised as a challenging and stimulating futurist.

Ross is Executive Director of the privately funded consumer think-tank, the Centre for Customer Strategy and is CEO of the Neo Group, an international consulting firm. He is in demand as a speaker not only for his hard evidence but also for his engaging presentation style that brings his topics, and his audience, to life.

Ross unveils startling new insights into the new economic order (NEOs) who are changing the rules of engagement in both the marketplace and the workplace. According to influential media commentator Robert Gottliebsen, no one knows more about the consumer revolution than Ross Honeywill.

His best-selling book, NEO POWER - How the New Economic Order is changing the way we live, work and play has generated international acclaim. And his successful business book, I-Cons has been published in Mainland China.

Ross is a regular media commentator on international trends and is widely quoted on social, business and political issues.

Craig James

Craig James is the Chief Equities Economist, Commonwealth Securities, interpreting the 'big picture' economic and financial trends for customers, clients and staff. This analysis is also provided to the general public through a range of media commitments. His current duties include presentations to staff and clients, commentaries on economic matters for the media, production of regular and ad hoc commentaries, and topical reports of market interest.

In 2002, he undertook a 'sea change', interpreting economic and financial trends for the Australian Financial Review. Prior to this, he held Chief Economist posts at both Colonial and Commonwealth Securities.

He has worked in banking, finance and journalism for 27 years.

Dr John Laker AO

Dr Laker is the Chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). APRA was established in 1998 as an integrated supervisor of banks and other deposit-taking institutions, insurance companies and superannuation funds. Dr Laker is a graduate of Sydney University and the London School of Economics.

Dr Laker started his professional life in the Commonwealth Treasury and, after post-graduate studies, worked at the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. for four years. He joined the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1982 and, over a 21-year career, held senior positions in all of the Bank’s major policy areas. He was the Bank’s Chief Representative in Europe, based in London, from 1991 to 1993; Assistant Governor (Corporate Services) from 1994 to 1998; and Assistant Governor (Financial System) from 1998 to 2003. He was also an APRA Board member and Deputy Chairman of the Payments System Board of the Reserve Bank from 1998 to June 2003, when he was appointed to run APRA.

Dr Laker is APRA’s representative on the Payments System Board, the Council of Financial Regulators and the Trans-Tasman Council on Banking Supervision.

Dr Laker was appointed an Officer (AO) in Order of Australia in the 2008 Australia Day Honours for services to the regulation of the Australian financial system.

Richard Morecroft

With very little need for introduction, Richard Morecroft will join us again as Master of Ceremonies over two days of the main program.

Richard is best known for his 20 years as the principal news presenter for ABC Television in New South Wales.

In addition to his roles in news and current affairs, Richard has been involved in many other broadcasting projects over his quarter century media career, covering a range from TV and radio education programs to election night specials.

Richard is one of the country's best respected media trainers, master of ceremonies, hypothetical facilitator, video presenter or host of his trademark Michael Parkinson-style "Conversations with Morecroft".

Dr Glenn Singleman and Heather Swan

An Australian husband and wife team, Glenn and Heather jointly hold two astonishing World Records - one for the worlds' highest BASEjump and the other for the highest Wingsuit BASEjump, made from the 6660m Mt Meru in India.

Set on May 23rd 2006, their world record (and world first for women) was the result of 6 years hard work and an unwavering commitment to their goal. The resulting story and professional presentation is unique in the world. There is no other inspirational presentation like it.

Dr. Glenn Singleman is well known to Australian and International audiences as a speaker and documentary film-maker. He is also a practicing medical doctor. In 1992 he created international headlines with a world record-breaking jump from The Great Trango Tower (6248m) in Pakistan. The film he made - BASEClimb - screened around the world and continues to win awards as one of the best adventure documentaries of all time.

In 1995 an audience member at one of his presentations introduced herself as Heather Swan. She wanted to know more about his philosophy of fearlessness. They married in 1998. Heather was a senior corporate executive with no experience in adventure when she challenged Glenn to teach her to climb, and to BASEjump so they could attempt to break his existing world record together. The result was a 6-year long odyssey, an enormous challenge beset with heartbreak, profound disappointment and finally triumph.

Their story touches everyone fortunate enough to hear it. It has all the elements of wonderful entertainment - unique images and video and polished presenters - but more than that it teaches in a direct, engaging style the universal principals of peak performance. The emotional attributes every manager is looking to promote in themselves and in their staff.

All of this, plus the appeal of a joint presentation from a man and a woman, a husband and wife team who achieved something unique. Heather Swan is the only woman in the world to combine mountaineering and BASEjumping, let alone wingsuit BASEjumping. She is a mother, award winning author and successful businesswoman. Glenn is a medical professional who can demonstrate with hard science, the benefits of adventure in overcoming our fears. He believes that it is only by overcoming fear that we can achieve our full human potential.

Glenn and Heather live in Sydney. Together they have four children.

Contact abacus@conceptevents.com.au for more information, or register online.