ANNUAL REVIEW - Australian Centre For Financial Studies

Melbourne Financial
Services Symposium
As from 2010, MCFS has assumed
responsibility for the high profile Melbourne
Financial Services Symposium held in March
each year.
Garry Weaven, Chairman of Industry
Funds Management, relaunched the
Symposium at a function held on the 19th of
August 2009. Honorary guest at the function
was Treasurer John Lenders, Minister for
Financial Services who also launched the
strategy for Victoria’s Financial Services
Sector.
First held in Melbourne in 1998, the
Melbourne Financial Services Symposium
brings together national and international
thought leaders to identify critical issues that
will impact the growth and development of
the Financial Services Sector in Asia Pacific.
Past symposia have seen thought
provoking discussion of topics such as
emerging trends in the funds management
industry both globally and within the region,
and the rapidly expanding developments in
private markets including infrastructure and
private equity. In 2009 almost 700 people
attended the event, with 550 participants at
the opening dinner.
A highlight of the Symposium is
the award presentations which recognise
excellence in the funds management industry.
The annual Investment Stewardship
Awards are made recognising long-term
achievement. The judging panel considers
not only financial results, but product
innovation, service quality, investment
philosophy, corporate governance, risk
management and approach to ESG issues.
Category winners this year were Unisuper
(superannuation funds) and Lend Lease
(investment managers).
The annual Victorian Innovation in
Funds Management Award acknowledges
new investment strategies and products
developed by boutique Victorian fund
managers. The award was decided on a
number of criteria, including innovation
in investment processes, innovation in
investment products, and innovation through
a financial crisis. The winner this year was
boutique investment manager, SG Hiscock &
Company (SGH).
MCFS will be able to build on
the success of the Symposium to date,
bringing both expertise in designing event
programs and contacts with high profile
potential speakers. It is intended that the
event program will be shortened to a more
focussed half day before the opening dinner,
followed by a workshop and lunch the
following day in conjunction with the Institute
of Actuaries of Australia.
As always corporate financial support
is critical, and at the time of writing confirmed
sponsors for the 2010 Symposium include
the Environmental Protection Authority,
Department Industry Innovation Regional
Development, Franklin Templeton, Victorian
Funds Management Corporation, Austrade,
Northern Trust, Treasury Corporation of
Victoria and the City of Melbourne.
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