SYNERGY2021 Shaping an informed tomorrow.

Conference Agenda

October 26-27, 2021 | Virtual Conference

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Legal Sessions Tax & Corporate Sessions

Day 1 - Tuesday 26 October

2:00 pm AEDT
11:00 am HKT/SGT
4:00 pm NZDT

Digital Transformation and Re-Shaping the Future of Business

The disruption caused to businesses over the past 12 months has given rise to the recalibration of business practices. In this session, Steve Hasker, President & Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Reuters, along with several of our strategic business leaders share their views on global digital transformation journeys that are taking place around the world and how this transformation is shaping the future business landscape.

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The challenges brought about by COVID-19 and other global factors have forced the accelerated adoption of technology in order to minimise disruption, maintain growth and revenue all the while delivering an enhanced customer experience. With the vast majority of firms and organisations experiencing varying degrees of disruption to their business, those opting to prioritise digital transformation and digitisation have thrived. This session will delve into digital transformation journeys and explore the forced recalibration that has shaped the future of business. During this session, Jackie Rhodes, Regional President, Asia & Emerging Markets for Thomson Reuters, is joined by Steve Hasker, Thomson Reuters’ President & Chief Executive Officer and other business leaders to delve into digital transformation journeys, the forced recalibration of business practices that is shaping the future business landscape, the broader impact of the rapidly changing environment in China, and the future forces that are driving continued digital adoption.

Speakers

Jackie Rhodes
Regional President
Asia & Emerging Markets
Thomson Reuters
Sydney, Australia

Steve Hasker
President & Chief Executive Officer
Thomson Reuters
New York, USA

David Wong
Chief Product Officer
Thomson Reuters
Toronto, Canada

Pat Wilburn
Chief Strategy Officer
Thomson Reuters
Zug, Switzerland

Lisa Hart Shepherd
Vice President, Strategy, Strategic Planning & Customer Insights
Thomson Reuters
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

3:00 pm AEDT
12:00 pm HKT/SGT
5:00 pm NZDT

The State of Cyber Crime featuring guest speaker Theresa Payton, first female Chief Information Officer at the White House, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortalice Solutions

Enter the world of cybersecurity with one of the most engaging and authoritative voices on this subject - Theresa Payton, former White House Chief Information Officer and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortalice Solutions. Theresa lives and breathes cybersecurity, assisting companies in identifying their vulnerabilities and mitigating the risk of attack across several fronts. Stay ahead of the game and hear Theresa’s predictions of what’s around the cyber corner in 2022.

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In this not to be missed session, Theresa Payton, former White House Chief Information Officer and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortalice Solutions, will be joined by Nathan Lynch, Thomson Reuters’ Financial Crime Specialist, Asia and Emerging Markets to delve into a broad range of critical and emerging cybercrime threats. The rise of digital innovation has accelerated over the past 18 months, powered by the COVID-19 online pivot and rapid transition to remote or hybrid working. This has led to a transformation in many businesses and the subsequent re-imagining of working life, with a range of benefits and pitfalls for the unwary. The new world of work has created an array of vulnerabilities for opportunistic criminals, including ransomware syndicates, fraudsters and intellectual property thieves which can have devastating effects on business – both from a financial and reputational perspective.

During this fireside chat, Theresa will reveal her cybercrime predictions for 2022 along with essential strategies that businesses can implement to protect themselves against future attacks. Theresa will draw from a range of fascinating “war stories”, from her time as the first female Chief Information Officer at the White House through to her work on the frontline of today’s cutting-edge cyberwarfare.

Areas of discussion

Top cybercrime predictions for 2022, including how the move to “contactless everything” will create a new set of vulnerabilities not yet encountered in digital behaviours
Navigating the “infodemic” – how to prepare for misinformation and disinformation attacks.
The top three strategies to protect against malware attacks
How decoy IP can be deployed as the first line of defense in protecting a company’s IP
The role of workforce diversity in tackling serious cybercrime threats – it's not always the most obvious players who are solving the biggest challenges
Important strategies and obligations organisations must consider before embarking on digital transformation

Who should attend this session:
Every business leader who cares about the cybersecurity of their organisation or that of their clients.

Speakers

Nathan Lynch
Financial Crime Specialist
Asia & Emerging Markets
Thomson Reuters
Perth, Australia

Theresa Payton
President & Chief Executive Officer
Fortalice Solutions and former White House CIO
North Carolina, USA

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

4:00 pm AEDT
1:00 pm HKT/SGT
6:00 pm NZDT

Geopolitical Challenges in an Increasingly Connected World

Join our panel of Reuters correspondents from around the region as they provide the latest updates on the key challenges facing business leaders including the pressure of trade wars and sanctions, and the growing focus on national interests and sovereignty, all against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic.

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The complexity of geopolitical challenges has risen exponentially in recent years – the pressure of trade wars, the deterioration of China-US relations, and the growing number of sanctions, combined with an increasing focus on national interests and sovereignty, and debate around climate and the environment are all competing with the enormous challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Join us as Reuters correspondents from Hong Kong, India, Tokyo and Sydney weigh in on global geopolitical issues and explore how organisations can navigate the constantly shifting geopolitical landscape.

Areas of discussion

The volatility and uncertainty of current political and economic pressures across the region
Global supply chain disruption and the future legacies being brought about by regional politics
Governments’ infrastructure investment choices, flexible diplomacy and securing of sovereignty
The rise of China and the geopolitical implications in store for the region

Who should attend this session:
Business leaders whose companies are directly impacted by regional and global geopolitical issues

Speakers

Euan Rocha
Mumbai Bureau Chief
Reuters
Mumbai, India

Kirsty Needham
Correspondent, Australia and Pacific Politics
Reuters
Sydney, Australia

Leika Kihara
Chief Correspondent
Japan Economic Policy
Tokyo, Japan

Sumeet Chatterjee
Editor, Financial Industry & Financial Markets, Asia
Reuters
Hong Kong

Moderator

Kevin Krolicki
Asia News Editor
Reuters
Singapore

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

Day 2 - Wednesday 27 October

2:00 pm AEDT
11:00 am HKT/SGT
4:00 pm NZDT

General Counsel Dilemmas – What is Legal, Strategic and Right for the Business?

Our General Counsel panel discussion will focus on how the unprecedented disruption to business has demanded that General Counsel are required to be simultaneously reactive and proactive when navigating the disruption brought about by COVID-19. We’re going to deep dive into how General Counsel roles have evolved to satisfy new legal, strategic and ethical parameters.

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In this panel discussion, in-house legal leaders will explore how high-risk regulatory considerations and the evolving business landscape have transformed the role of General Counsel. In addition to considering whether business decisions and practices are legal, the modern General Counsel must also consider whether they are strategically and ethically aligned with their organisation. In navigating this new landscape, General Counsel are reimagining the value they bring to the boardroom, leveraging new technologies and expanding their expertise to provide strategic advice to their organisation.

General Counsel are helping their business navigate increasingly complex challenges, many of which didn’t exist prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has brought unprecedented disruption to business and has increased the demand on General Counsel to be simultaneously reactive and proactive in their response. Meanwhile, wider business, regulatory and political challenges continue to arise, and General Counsel must remain at the forefront of a wide range of issues in order to anticipate and manage potential risks.

Areas of discussion

Resolving key dilemmas where critical business risks must be considered from multiple angles
Shielding the business from future litigation and non-compliance penalties, navigating reputational risks, data privacy and crisis management
Leading a lean, in-house team experiencing workload surges prompted by the outbreak of COVID-19 while ensuring strategic decisions are made quickly under these high-pressure conditions
Demonstrating the value of the legal function to senior leadership to shift the common misconception that legal teams are a business cost centre

Who should attend this session:
This session would suit General Counsel, as well as aspiring General Counsel and lawyers looking to move in-house.

Speakers

Janine Cane
Chief Regional Counsel
Asia & Emerging Markets
Thomson Reuters
Sydney, Australia

Prerna Gandhi
Senior Corporate Counsel
Amazon
Singapore

Raymond Younan
Head of Legal MEA, Turkey, India, India Sub-Continent, Central Asia and Eastern Europe
Red Bull
Dubai, UAE

Moderator

Tyrilly Csillag
Head of Practical Law, Commercial and In-house
Thomson Reuters
Sydney, Australia

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

2:00 pm AEDT
11:00 am HKT/SGT
4:00 pm NZDT

Inside the Mind of the Modern C-Suite - How we Survived, the New Normal and What’s Next?

In this session we’ll head to the boardroom to examine the evolution of the modern c-suite. Bringing greater agility to the boardroom by removing siloed approaches to technology, cybersecurity, environmental, social and governance, regulatory changes, and privacy and security are all on the table for discussion.

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Never has there been such rapid evolution in the role of the c-suite than has occurred in recent years. Today’s c-suite are playing an increasing role in decisions ranging from technology and investment to cybersecurity to future proofing and scaling their organisation. The modern CXO is required to drive agile processes and remove siloed approaches to complex issues such as environmental, social and governance (ESG), regulatory changes, and privacy and security. Join us around the boardroom table along with business leaders from across the region as we unpack the role of the modern c-suite.

Areas of discussion

Key strategies for future-proofing business, from observing customer behaviour and the influencing factors surrounding your business, to predicting future demand
With environmental, social and governance back in the spotlight, we discuss the most pressing issues of climate change, transparency in supply chains and more
What organisations are doing to keep up with rapid regulatory changes in order to meet their obligations and avoid reputational damage, costly fines or being excluded from operating
Regulatory changes, cybersecurity or digital transformation – we delve into what’s keeping the c-suite executive awake at night
How to address security vulnerabilities that have been brought about by the speed at which digital transformation has been adopted
Navigating the global skills shortage to maintain business growth and deliver against future business needs

Who should attend this session:
Senior business leaders, c-suite executives and aspiring c-suite leaders.

Speakers

Emmanuel Givanakis
Chief Executive Officer
Abu Dhabi Global Market
Financial Services Regulatory Authority
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Joanne Ferris
Chief Human Resources Officer
Alter Domus
Luxembourg

John Maynard
Chief Executive Officer
Adarma Security
London, UK

Tamer Kadry
Chief Financial Officer
Global Emerging Markets
Mars Wrigley
Dubai　UAE

Moderator

Mark Freeman
Software Solutions Director
Thomson Reuters
Dubai UAE

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

3:00 pm AEDT
12:00 pm HKT/SGT
5:00 pm NZDT

Rise of the Relationship-Driven Law Firm

Deepening client relationships is one of the key drivers of future success for law firms. Our panel of law firm leaders will discuss the innovative practices implemented during this time of disruption to grow client relationships and how they’ve continued to attract stand-out legal talent in the face of uncertainty.

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It’s impossible to have envisaged the disruption and impact that COVID-19 would have on law firms around the world, from the necessity and speed of technology adoption to the integration of new talent during periods of remote work. Add to this the uptick in demand which many firms experienced over the past year in many practice areas. The unprecedented impact of the pandemic on businesses has given rise to shifting corporate client needs, and firms have had to pivot and adjust their approach to support their clients’ needs. Firms that have been able to identify opportunities to enhance their ability to improve client satisfaction and secure talent have experienced far greater success in navigating this challenging environment. During this session our panel of law firm leaders will share their insights on the forces that are shaping the future strategic direction of law firms, and the steps firms can take to deepen client relationships. We’ll also deep dive into areas such as talent acquisition and retention strategy, benchmarking and innovative client service.

Areas of discussion

External forces that are shaping the strategic direction of law firms, from regulatory trends to shifting client needs
Growing client relationships through new methods of client service delivery while working remotely, where differentiating through expertise and technology is key
The benchmarking metrics, key performance indicators and legal market trends that law firms are following to stay ahead of the curve
Law firm talent acquisition and retention strategies taking place among firms – what's working and what’s not

Who should attend this session:
Senior legal practitioners and leaders looking to deepen client relationships and embrace successful talent strategies

Speakers

Hanim Hamzah
Regional Managing Partner
ZICO Law Network
Singapore

May Tai
Managing Partner, Asia
Herbert Smith Freehills
Hong Kong

Renae Lattey
Managing Partner, Clients and M&A
King & Wood Mallesons
Melbourne, Australia

Sadiq Jafar
Managing Partner
Hadef & Partners
Dubai, UAE

William Josten Esq
Enterprise Content, Legal
Thomson Reuters Institute
Eagan, Minneapolis

Moderator

Catherine Roberts
Strategic Accounts Director
Asia & Emerging Markets
Thomson Reuters
Sydney, Australia

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

3:00 pm AEDT
12:00 pm HKT/SGT
5:00 pm NZDT

The Paradigm Shift in Shared Services, Powered by Next-Generation Technology

The transition toward Shared Service Centres has the power to bring greater efficiency to businesses across core corporate functions within compliance, analytics and reporting both on a financial and agile level. Our panel will discuss how top-performing Shared Service Centres have implemented best practices to deliver world-class statutory and tax reporting services.

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In recent years there has been an exponential rise in the number of organisations leveraging Shared Service Centres to deliver a range of corporate functions, from accounting to human resources and information technology. As the popularity and success of the Shared Service Centre model has increased, Shared Service Centre operators are seeking new ways to expand their offerings into areas such as compliance, analytics and reporting in order to deliver greater value. The Shared Service Centre model has also witnessed an acceleration in adoption of new innovative technology which is enabling rapid scaling of operations as well as ensuring compliance with rapidly changing regulations. This panel session will cover the centralisation journey and the vision for Shared Service Centre best practice.

Points of Discussion:

The evolution of Shared Service Centres and how the divergence of people, process and next-generation technology in line with broader offerings will ultimately offer reduced costs and increased quality output
Guidance for selecting a strategic location, the increasing role of Shared Service Centres in recruiting, and the latest trends in business process outsourcing and the impact on Shared Service Centres
Key drivers for the expansion of Shared Service Centres into statutory financial reporting and tax compliance
Best practices in leveraging technology to successfully deliver standardised statutory financial and tax processes
Building the business case for centralising complex value-added functions in order to create a higher degree of strategic flexibility coupled with cost benefits

Who should attend this session:
Shared Service Centre and Business Process Outsourcing leaders, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers and those responsible for statutory reporting and tax reporting.

Speakers

Deepak Kumbhat
Director SSC, Finance
Ramboll
Gurgaon, India

Heena Shah
Head of International Taxation and Transfer Pricing
Tech Mahindra
Pune, India

Rachesh Kotak
Vice President, International Tax and Regulatory
Vinmar Group
Mumbai, India

Moderator

Hari Ganesh Kumar
Enterprise Proposition Lead - ONESOURCE
Asia & Emerging Markets
Thomson Reuters
Melbourne, Australia

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

4:00 pm AEDT
1:00 pm HKT/SGT
6:00 pm NZDT

A Futuristic Vision Towards Technology Adoption

In our closing session, we’ll gaze into the future of technology. Our panel of thought leaders will provide first-hand insights into how technology will shape and change the evolution of corporations across the region.

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As the pace of technological advancement continues to accelerate, so too does the extent to which our lives and businesses are being transformed. In this session we will explore the shifting role of technology across a variety of industries. Our panel of thought leaders, moderated by Reuters Editor At Large, Axel Threlfall, will provide expert insights into how technology will irreversibly shape and change the corporate landscape.

Areas of discussion

Insights into the bold reform program, Saudi Vision 2030, to drive innovation and economic growth using advanced digital technologies
The role of artificial intelligence and digitisation in the delivery of futuristic transformation
Enhancing the digital capabilities of workforces to capitalise on artificial intelligence, machine learning and technologies
A glimpse into the futuristic Saudi Smart City, New Future otherwise known as NEOM and how it will set the benchmark by which all other cities will be measured

Who should attend this session:
Anyone interested in the challenges and opportunities for digital transformation and smart cities.

Speakers

Dr Ayesha Khanna
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Offer
Addo AI
Singapore

Dr Jordan Nquyen
Inventor, TV Presenter, Author, Founder & CEO
Psykinetic
Sydney, Australia

Paul Greenwood
Chief Information Officer
Clifford Chance LLP
London, UK

Moderator

Axel Threfall
Editor at Large
Reuters
London, UK

Note: Speakers and agenda subject to change

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