The Finance Symposium 2024, organised by RMIT's Finance Department, will tackle the critical issues reshaping the business and investment landscape in today's rapidly evolving environment. With rising interest rates, shifting investor sentiment, and a more cautious approach to risk, the symposium will delve into how these factors are influencing real investment, particularly within the startup sector. Additionally, we will critically examine the current state of sustainable investment, contrasting past ambitions with the realities faced by the sector today.

This event is designed to facilitate a rigorous exchange of ideas between industry leaders and academic experts. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the symposium aims to generate actionable insights that will help businesses and policymakers navigate the complexities of the current economic climate. The full-day event will be held at RMIT's Green Brain on the 18th of October, offering a platform for informed discussion and strategic thinking.

Event Details

Welcome and Introduction: 9:00am-9:15am

Session 1: 9:15am – 10:15am

Panel Discussion: Innovation in an age of change

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion, expertly moderated by Dr. My Nguyen from RMIT's Finance Department. Our distinguished panellists will delve into the current macroeconomic climate and explore how these broader trends are reshaping the investment landscape, with a particular focus on the challenges and opportunities for startups and the venture capital industry.

The panel features leading voices from the industry, including Adam Stanley, Partner at Pitcher Partners; Leila Lee, Partner and Head of Distribution at Square Peg; and Connie Ren, founder of United Elever, and Strategic Venture Partner of Imprint Capital Partners. Together, they will offer valuable insights and strategies for navigating this evolving landscape.

Break: 10:15am – 10:30am

Session 2: 10:30am – 12:30pm

Break Out Session: Academic Perspectives

Join us for an insightful series of presentations showcasing cutting-edge research from RMIT’s Finance Department.

Dr. Tim Kooijmans will explore how banks' reputational concerns may enhance the quality of opaque securities, drawing lessons from the 1760s Dutch banking partnerships that securitized risky West-Indian plantation mortgages.

Dr. Ha Truong will delve into the influence of institutional investors on market dynamics, specifically how common stock ownership among these investors drives market risk and the co-movement of stock returns.

Dr. Di Mo will examine the relationship between inflation and energy price volatility, investigating whether inflation data can be a reliable predictor of fluctuations in energy markets.

Xize Guo, PhD candidate, will also present her latest research findings on the role that machine learning is playing in mutual fund management.

This session offers a unique opportunity to engage with the latest academic insights that are shaping the future of finance.

Lunch Break: 12:30pm-1:30pm

Session 3: 1:30pm-2:15pm

Keynote Speaker: The effect of monetary policy on investment and innovation: Recent advances in our knowledge.

Join Jonathan Hambur from the Reserve Bank of Australia as he explores the frontiers of knowledge on how monetary policy influences real investment and drives innovation. This keynote presentation will provide valuable insights into the critical role monetary policy plays in shaping economic growth and fostering innovation in today’s complex financial landscape.

Break: 2:15pm – 2:30pm

Session 4: 2:30pm-3:30pm

Panel Discussion: Sustainable Investing in a Volatile World

Join Thakshi Wijesundara, Senior Director of Institutional Business at Franklin Templeton, as she moderates a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges facing sustainable investment today. Our expert panellists, Naomi Bant, Portfolio Manager & Quantitative Research, and Joshua Rout, Research Analyst/Portfolio Manager, will delve into how rising inflation, interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory uncertainties are testing the sector's ambitious goals. They will explore the strategies and adaptations necessary to continue driving toward a sustainable future, balancing long-term ambitions with the practical realities of a world in flux.

Drinks and Networking: 3:30pm-5:00pm

Please join us in networking drinks