S3E1 – Naomi Simson: Growing Red Balloon Group, small business under threat, and knowing when a founder should step down as CEO
Naomi Simson is an experienced director, successful entrepreneur, and acclaimed author. She co-founded Big Red Group and helped it grow to become Australia's largest experience network. In this candid conversation, Naomi reflects on two decades of building and scaling businesses, the lessons learned stepping back from the CEO role, and why small business remains the backbone of Australia's economy. Naomi also shares her views on the evolving role of boards: how curiosity outperforms expertise, why brand and reputation belong in every risk conversation, and what directors can learn by "sitting in the customer's shoes." Key themes: · Why curiosity can be a director's greatest skill · The board's role in brand, culture, and customer connection Purpose-driven leadership and culture Balancing growth with governance The human cost of overreliance on AI Protecting and empowering small business
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Inside the AICD's Company Directors Course
This special podcast will take you inside the AICD's flagship Company Directors Course (CDC). Whether you're a current board member, aspiring director, or senior executive – the CDC is the gold standard in governance education. For more than 50 years, the course has helped shape more informed, capable and confident directors. In this podcast, you'll hear from three of the CDC's over 100,000 participants. We'll be unpacking what the course offers, how it equips board members for real-world challenges, and why the CDC is the right next step on your director journey. Thanks to our guests Shirley Chowdhary GAICD, Tim Longstaff GAICD and Nicky Sparshott GAICD. Click here for more information on the Company Directors Course.
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Special Episode – Thomson Reuters CEO Steve Hasker: the rise of AI, lessons on private equity, and the future of news
Steve Hasker is the CEO and President of Thomson Reuters, plus a director with ASX-listed Appen. He was visiting Australia recently and took part in a special event with the AICD. We talked with Steve about the rise of artificial intelligence, lessons from his experiences with private equity, and the future of news and information.
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S2E12 – Kate Jenkins: Becoming the Chair of the Australian Sports Commission, gender targets at sports boards, and progress since the Respect@Work report
Kate Jenkins AO GAICD is the Chair of the Australian Sports Commission and the Creative Workplaces Council. She's also a former Sex Discrimination Commissioner and led the landmark Respect@Work report. We talk with Kate about: her chair role at the ASC, gender targets for sports boards and progress since the release of the Respect@Work report. Click here for the AICD guide: "Positive duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment" Click here for research from the AICD and ACSI: "Positive duty: preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment – Insights from Australian directors" Click here to read about the ASC's Sport Governance Principles
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S2E11 – Rebecca McGrath: inside a multi-billion-dollar M&A deal, preparing for meetings with a new board, and learnings from working overseas
Rebecca McGrath FAICD is the Chair of Investa Property Group, plus a director with Macquarie Group and Bank, Djerriwarrh Investments and Melbourne Business School. We talk about: OZ Minerals' multi-billion-dollar acquisition by BHP, learnings from working overseas, and preparing for meetings at a new board. Plus, key insights on the board's role in an effective decarbonisation plan.
Produced by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
Hosted by Bennett Mason, Boardroom Confidential brings you candid conversations with some of Australia's most influential company directors, business leaders, and experts. Together, we explore their paths to the boardroom, lessons from their careers, and the ideas shaping modern governance.
Whether you're an experienced director or just starting your governance journey, each episode offers practical insights into leadership, decision-making, culture, risk, and strategy—straight from those who sit at the board table.
Tune in for fresh perspectives on what it takes to lead with purpose in today's complex business environment.
Australia