Speakers

Jarrod Ball, Chief Economist, CEDA
Michael Blythe, Chief Economist and Managing Director, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Michelle Hutton, Chief Executive Officer, Edelman Australia
Diane Smith-Gander AO, National Chairman, CEDA and Non-Executive Director, AGL Energy and Wesfarmers Limited

This year, we know from CEDA’s own research, that workforce, technology, population, social services and the environment are of increasing concern.

For EPO we convene speakers – industry leaders, board chairs, journalists, economists and data analysts – who will share with you the facts, figures and their ideas.

All presented in a half day format, 10am-2pm, to give you time to listen, think, and to have your questions answered. You’ll start the year with guests and peers informed. All attendees will receive a copy of CEDA’s 2020 EPO report.

We look forward to having you and your colleagues at the 2020 EPO in Brisbane. CEDA will also present a 2020 EPO lunch in Townsville on Thursday 20 February.

Meet the speakers

Jarrod Ball
Chief Economist, CEDA

Jarrod Ball joined CEDA as Chief Economist in 2017 with over 15 years of experience as an economist across the public and private sectors. He has held senior roles at the Business Council of Australia, in EY’s advisory services practice and more recently at BHP. Jarrod also worked in the Federal Government and was a lead adviser on microeconomic reform for the Victorian Departments of Premier and Cabinet and Treasury and Finance. He is a member of CEDA’s Council on Economic Policy and the Melbourne Economic Forum. Jarrod holds a Masters degree in Economics from Monash University and undergraduate degrees in Business (Economics) and Arts from the University of Southern Queensland.

Michael Blythe
Chief Economist and Managing Director, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Michael identifies trends in the Australian economy and leads research, economic analysis and forecasting at Australia’s largest bank. He has worked as Senior Economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and long contributed to CEDA’s annual EPO report.

Michelle Hutton
Chief Executive Officer, Edelman Australia

Businesses and governments increasingly look to the annual Edelman Trust Barometer to inform their forward strategy. Michelle will provide early insights into the 2020 Barometer to CEDA and the findings of major national and international research into business and market mood. She recently returned to Australia in 2019 after holding international roles with Edelman including as Chair of the agency’s global consumer business, Chief Operations Officer for Europe and Managing Director, Global Client Strategy.

Diane Smith-Gander AO
National Chairman, CEDA and Non-Executive Director, AGL Energy and Wesfarmers Limited

Since leaving a role in the executive team at Westpac in 2008 Diane has become one of Australia’s most prominent business leaders. She recently served as one of three panellists reviewing the capability of APRA, the banking industry regulator following the findings of the Hayne Royal Commission, was as one of only ten women to chair an ASX200 company while at Broadspectrum, was previously Deputy-Chairperson of NBN Co and the past President of Chief Executive Women. In June 2019 she was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to business, women’s engagement in executive roles, gender equality and the community.

Dr Peter van Onselen
Journalist and Professor of Politics, Griffith Business School

Peter is a leading national political commentator, the political editor at Channel 10 and a contributing editor at The Australian. He presents his of the moment analysis on local, state and federal politics. Peter has authored and edited six books, is a Walkley and Logie award winner, has a PhD in Political Science and a Masters of Commerce.