The Good Investing Podcast connects you with successful investors and business leaders who invest in, or are experts in, a range of industries… but do it with a difference. These leaders of industry are the best at what they do in their chosen field but all have one thing in common - they are passionate about doing things the right way.
In Part B of the discussion, Margo Ward of KidsXpress and Paul Hines of GSA talk of their respective organisations’ relationship with the Roosters rugby league team. This relationship seems to fit neatly into the cultures of each organisation, while initially upon first glance it may not appear a likely fit. It just goes to show, you never really know what types of organisations can work well together. Margo and Paul speak of their perspectives on leadership and provide insights into attributes they look for when hiring a new person for their firms. Enjoy Pat B. Part A received an incredible response from listeners.
Margo Ward and Paul Hines Co-Founded KidsXpress in 2005. An unlikely meeting on a Contiki Tour in Europe sowed the seeds for a unique partnership and the creation of Margo’s vision… the world-first KidsXpress program. The program combines music, art and drama therapies for disadvantaged children. But more than that, Margo and Paul integrated KidsXpress into the culture of GSA, a leading Sydney based insurance broker. The partnership is unique with both organisations benefitting. Margo now sits on the Chubb Australia Board as a Non-Executive Director offering a very different perspective to the current challenges within the insurance and underwriting markets. Paul is adapting to the Executive Chair role post the sale of a majority stake in GSA to ASX listed Steadfast. These two remarkable people are trailblazers on leadership and culture creation. The business model they have created is ahead of its time. There is something to learn for all business leaders from this discussion. Enjoy Part A. Part B out soon.
In Part B of an honest and open discussion, Daniel talks to us about campaigns – something Thankyou does so well and the successful campaign in getting Thankyou products into Coles and Woolworths all those years ago. We touch on "No Small Plan" which is as bold as its name suggests. It sounds like we will hear more about that soon. And if that’s not enough, Thankyou is also looking to revolutionise the whole giving model. In our standard questions, Daniel’s take on leadership is fascinating. Daniel Flynn is the Managing Director of Thankyou. He co-founded Thankyou at the age of 19, and now 12 years later, Thankyou’s products are stocked by major retailers in Australia, with every product contributing to helping end global poverty.
Daniel Flynn is the Managing Director of Thankyou. He co-founded Thankyou at the age of 19, and now 12 years later, Thankyou’s products are stocked by major retailers in Australia, with every product contributing to helping end global poverty. Daniel and the team are business innovators, they are marketing disruptors and they are very unconventional. They are also sustainability leaders - an important aspect of the business we talk about. In an honest and open two part discussion, Daniel talks to us about how Thankyou has changed and the new challenges posed by an evolving competitor response. We also speak about campaigns – something Thankyou does so well and the successful campaign in getting Thankyou products into Coles and Woolworths all those years ago. We touch on "No Small Plan" which is as bold as its name suggests. It sounds like we will hear more about that soon. And if that’s not enough, Thankyou is also looking to revolutionise the whole giving model. Enjoy the discussion as much as we did.
Shayne Elliott has been the CEO of the ANZ Banking Group for over six years. There are perhaps no businesses in Australia that have more influence on Australian families than the “big four” banks. He speaks of crisis management and how past experience placed him in good stead for recent economic challenges. He reminds us that customers never forget how you treat them in times of crisis. He talks of the challenges of transitioning away from coal, oil and gas lending and towards sustainable lending which he sees as a net growth opportunity…. and how important it is to lighten the load – the sale of 25 businesses has played an important role in simplifying the bank.
Nicholas Moore is a former CEO of Macquarie Group. He retired in 2018 after 32 years at Macquarie, including 10 years as CEO. Nicholas tells us how one of the first things that he did at the depths of the GFC was to ensure the Macquarie Foundation was well funded. Nicholas talks about the Banking Royal Commission, his role in regulating the regulators and the unique role he played in helping to manage the Commonwealth’s risk relating to the Virgin Australia insolvency and eventual sale. But there is a lot more to Nicholas Moore than his achievements at Macquarie and his financial markets involvement. He talks about his role as Chair of the Smith Family, his thoughts on education for young people, his love of history and the influence of his parents on his career.
Nathan is the Investment Director and Co-Founder of Ethical Partners Funds Management. He shares with us his investment philosophy – the rules by which he directs and guides investment decisions at Ethical Partners and includes several company specific case studies. He takes us back to (almost) the days of the “chalkies” at the ASX and a fortuitous rendezvous on the corner of Pitt and Hunter Streets in Sydney. He explains how two stints at Perpetual and time at start up 452 Capital has placed him in good stead for Ethical Partners. He takes us through how to balance performance and ethical considerations in making investment decisions and explains the EPORA (while being careful to not take credit for the acronym). Finally we find out what he looks for in an investment analyst, what he is reading at the moment and why it is important to know what you don’t know.
Stuart Diver (Part B): Stuart Diver is a Senior member of the management team at Event Hospitality (EVT:ASX), as GM of Thredbo Resorts. He is a household name as the sole survivor of the tragic landslide at Thredbo Village in 1997 that took the lives of 18 people. In Part B of our discussion, we walk through how Stuart and the Event team have navigated through the pandemic and how Thredbo has adapted as a business. We learn more about how Event Hospitality is facing into the threats and opportunities from climate change, particularly with respect to an alpine tourism asset. Finally, Stuart walks through his charitable interests, those who have inspired him, including Alan Rydge as Chairman of Event, and our usual pop quiz.
Stuart Diver (Part A): Stuart Diver is a Senior member of the management team at Event Hospitality (EVT:ASX), as GM of Thredbo Resorts. He is a household name as the sole survivor of the tragic landslide at Thredbo Village in 1997 that took the lives of 18 people, including his wife Sally. In Part A, Stuart outlines his early life as a young adventurer and his growing passion for the mountains, particularly Thredbo, and his journey from labourer and ski instructor to that of General Manager of the entire resort. Thredbo is a crucial part of the listed group, Event Hospitality, and Stuart provides some insights around his management style and meshing his entrepreneurial spirit into a large listed group. Part A ends with a generous explanation of how Stuart mentally and physically survived the events in 1997 and how that has helped shape his resilience in life and in business.
In Part B we go back to where it all started. We discuss the “Roman Banquet” and the late night visit to a Sydney homeless shelter. Ronni explains how her good friend Selma’s introduction of electricity to Soweto led her to work out how she could have the most positive impact on other people’s lives. From that point on Ronni leads a repurposed life… just don’t ask her for a powerpoint presentation! Ronni also tells us how OzHarvest is evolving from food rescue to sustainability and education in an attempt to shift behaviour. Ronni’s perspectives on leadership are fascinating and she also talks to us about the next chapter, Purpose for Leadership – find out more by emailing ronni@ronnikahn.com. The podcast is hosted by Co-Founder and CEO of Ethical Partners Funds Management, Matt Nacard.
Ronni is the founder and CEO of OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. But what do you do when functions aren’t happening and restaurants can’t open, putting your business model at risk? You do what Ronni has always done – reimagine the way of working, motivate the team around you, inject endless energy and determination and turn the model on its head. During COVID OzHarvest has transformed itself into a business-to-consumer model, buying food for the first time, and supporting a broad base of disadvantaged people by delivering 52 million meals in the last 18 months. Incredible. The podcast is hosted by Co-Founder and CEO of Ethical Partners Funds Management, Matt Nacard. Part B out soon.
In Part B, Susan the CEO and Managing Director of Mirvac, talks all things sustainability explaining why the journey is not a straight forward one. Susan also talks about how the sustainability focus has changed within companies and investors. Not long ago, some asked Susan to talk “less” about these issues. Now it is evident that ESG issues are the responsibility of everyone, not just the sustainability specialists. Susan explains why setting difficult targets is critical, even if you don’t know how you will achieve them! Being bold can lead to outperforming expectations and Mirvac looks poised to achieve its Net Positive Carbon goal early. Susan also provides her outlook for residential apartments and has some fascinating advice she would give to her 21-year-old self.
Susan is the CEO and Managing Director of Mirvac, the largest and best domestically focused multi asset class property developer in Australia. Susan leads a company that genuinely operates with purpose. Susan speaks of the responsibility Mirvac has in creating places that will be around for generations to enjoy. It is a privilege not a burden. Her perspectives on the importance of culture, doing the right thing when no-one is looking and having a focused strategy are a “how to” guide to running an ASX50 company. Knowing your core values well is critical when responding to a crisis. Susan takes us through the inner workings of how Mirvac responded in March 2020 to the unfolding COVID situation. Her insights are fascinating. Part A ends with Susan’s perspectives on the direction of asset prices.
Barry is the current Executive Chairman of Bega Cheese, a Board on which he has served for over 20 years. Barry and his team have turned a small regional-based dairy company into the third-largest dairy company in Australia, producing and distributing dairy food products in Australia and around the world.
In a fascinating discussion, Barry speaks about Bega Cheese and how it navigates the dairy cycle. He talks about Bega’s latest acquisition – Lion Drinks and Dairy – and how that company has gone from “feared” to now “owned”. His description of how the business fits with Bega’s strategy is simple in its brilliance. Barry also speaks about how and why he played a big part in founding Giant Steps, a school for autistic children, as well as how he had to try and slow down when recently diagnosed with cancer. The podcast is hosted by Co-Founder and Investment Director of Ethical Partners Funds Management, Nathan Parkin.
Maggie has had a very public and successful career in the food industry for over 40 years. It all started in the Barossa in 1973 where Maggie and her husband established a farm and vineyard. Maggie’s career now spans farming, food production, as well as television presenting and food writing. In 2014 Maggie established the Maggie Beer Foundation to improve the food experiences for older Australians, particularly those living within aged care homes. In this edition of the Good Investing Podcast Maggie shares with us her philosophies about business and talks about the company that continues to bear her name (ASX: MBH). Maggie also tells us what she believes is the biggest mistake Australian families make with nutrition, the rising importance of sustainability, the most important aspect of leadership that is overlooked and whether you should have a Maggie Beer tomato, shiraz and sultana chutney or a Maggie Beer quince paste with your cheese platter after dinner.
The podcast is hosted by Co-Founder and Investment Director of Ethical Partners Funds Management, Nathan Parkin.
Chris Cuffe took Colonial First State from a start-up to become Australia’s largest investment manager managing over $70bn by the time his fourteen-year tenure came to a close. From there he has established an organisation to help people give their money away and revolutionised the funds management industry by starting Third Link. Others have followed, but Chris established Third Link as the first major fund-of-funds to donate all management fees to selected charities while at the same time providing outstanding investment performance. On a list of all-time Good Investors, Chris is right near the top – find out what areas he is investing in now, what makes a good fund manager, what aspects of leadership are overlooked, how he recognises talent, what investment mistakes he sees most often and who has inspired him the most in his career.
The podcast is hosted by Co-Founder and CEO of Ethical Partners Funds Management, Matt Nacard
Michael Traill might just be the ultimate Good Investor. Growing up in a small mining town in Victoria he found himself co-founding Macquarie Group’s private equity business. After fifteen years at Macquarie and poised for higher honours within the bank, he took a radical u-turn and became founding CEO of Social Ventures Australia. Shortly thereafter he had a leading hand in rescuing ABC Learning’s Australian assets via not-for-profit enterprise Goodstart Learning. Now he is looking at establishing a new asset class in Australia - in scale. He and his co-founding partners at For Purpose Partners are trying to bring superannuation and corporate management skills into the aged care, mental health, disability, social housing and education sectors. The aim is to generate acceptable financial returns but create positive social change at the same time. Find out what makes For Purpose Partners different, where Michael gets his sense of social justice from, what is next for the growing area of social infrastructure and what advice he received that spurred him on to run 10kms in less than 41 minutes as an 11 year in a regional Victoria.
The podcast is hosted by Co-Founder and CEO of Ethical Partners Funds Management, Matt Nacard