Our Leading Thinker Series provided members with access to experts who provided new and thought provoking insights into current and long-term issues of importance to the Committee’s agenda for Melbourne.
In 2017, we have heard from:
Nobel Laureate, Dr Harold Varmus
Nobel Laureate Dr Harold Varmus shared his thoughts on the future of research as we head into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and what needs to be done to ensure innovation and curiosity are nurtured.
He explored the importance of place making and precinct management as crucial catalysts for research communities.
In particular, the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct was recognised and benchmarked against similar precincts in the US and Europe as a hub of world-class significance.
The impact of restrictive visa policies, housing affordability, seamless transport, and innovative ecosystems and skills training were key discussion points, all relevant to our Melbourne 4.0 Taskforce.
ANZ former Chief Executive, Mike Smith OBE
In his capacity as Chairman of York Butter Factory, Mike Smith OBE discussed the concept of innovation – what it is, why it is important, and what Australia must do to become better at it.
He shared the startup incubator’s vision for putting Australian startups on the global map by providing access to funding and mentoring.
He also discussed how the private sector can get involved in fostering new entrepreneurial talent, thereby stemming
the tech exodus.
His analysis of the challenges and opportunities ahead reinforced the need for Melbourne to prepare for the disruption resulting from the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Non-Resident Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Initiative on Innovation and Placemaking at the Brookings Institution, Julie Wagner
Joining us on her first visit to Melbourne, Julie Wagner discussed the role of innovation districts and outlined what strategic efforts can be made to ensure Melbourne remains competitive with other global cities.
A globally recognised leader on innovation districts, she noted that Melbourne, with its series of high-class assets in close proximity, has a fantastic base from which to succeed but needs convergence.
She also took this opportunity to share her trials and tribulations in providing strategic guidance to advance the competitiveness of cities.
Australia Digital Transformation Agency former Chief, Paul Shetler
Paul Shetler discussed how large organisations – in both government, and the private sector – can digitally transform themselves to create better digital products and more satisfied customers in today’s internet era.
Noting that the business strategy can no longer be separated from the digital strategy, he shared his decades’ worth of experience on digitally transforming to meet user needs.
He reinforced the need for our city to future-proof itself and prepare for the disruption brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
View the event photos
Foundation for Young Australians CEO, Jan Owen AM
Jan Owen AM gave an insightful presentation on what the future of work will look like for Australians.
She emphasised that teaching and learning must change to prepare young Australians for a fundamentally different work and life environment as we are not yet set up for what FYA calls “the new work order”.
She emphasised that we must change our mindset now and realise that the so-called ‘soft skills’ are in fact the
enterprising skills of the future.
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Lord Mayor of Melbourne, The Right Honourable Robert Doyle AC
Serving his third consecutive term as Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle AC shared his insights on the City of Melbourne’s four year Council plan as it relates to our Melbourne 4.0 agenda.
During his engaging presentation, he addressed the importance of planning very carefully for growth if Melbourne is going to be a city of eight million and remain liveable. He neatly summed up his thinking by noting that planning should be people-centric and backed by data.
While he noted that the City of Melbourne’s 38 km² is the job generator of the entire state, he outlined the societal issues this can create and how to address these.
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Arcadis Global Cities Director, John Batten
Visiting from New York, John Batten shared his expertise on building climate resilient cities and the lessons learned from New York post Hurricane Sandy.
In his absorbing address, he called attention to how leading cities are redefining risk and using risk-based planning to promote resilience, prioritise investment and engage the community.
As cities experience the impact of natural disasters firsthand, John Batten emphasised the importance of investing in resilience now to avoid being vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
AECOM Cities Global Director, Stephen Engblom
Visiting from San Francisco, Stephen Engblom gave an insightful presentation to our members on lessons Melbourne can learn from other cities – and in particular New York – grappling with the challenges of growth, complexity and resilience.
He emphasised that what is required is an evidencebased urban design with a vision to create a platform for interagency discourse. Collaboration between entities, professions and the community will achieve sound city development and avoid the pitfalls and longer term damage of a haphazard and piecemeal approach.
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In 2016, we heard from:
Business Council of Australia Chief Executive, Jennifer Westacott
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General Electric Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea CEO, Geoff Culbert
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Swinburne University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Linda Kristjanson
Read Professor Linda Kristjanson's presentation
Deloitte Access Economics Consultant, Ian Harper
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The Conversation Executive Director and Editor, Andrew Jaspan
Read Andrew Jaspan's presentation
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