Socioeconomic Responsibility Forum

Julia Hinwood

Director, Infrastructure, Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Julia Hinwood is the Director, Infrastructure at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, focusing in particular on improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in the transport sector and built environment. As part of this role, Julia is working to support Australia’s supply chain for renewable energy and low emissions technologies. Before joining the CEFC, Julia worked at National Australia Bank, where she led the export credit financing team, and the Toronto Dominion Bank. Julia has significant experience in debt structuring, arranging and execution, both domestically and offshore, including Hong Kong. She has more than 15 years’ experience in project finance across a range of industries including resources, infrastructure, energy and utilities. Julia has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts from University of Melbourne and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Andrew Davies

CEO, B Lab

About B Lab: The organisation behind B Corp – B Lab is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies—known as B Corps—who are leading the way.

About Andrew: As CEO Andrew is responsible for the growth of the B Corp community in Australia and New Zealand. Andrew joined B Lab as CEO after a career spanning commercial law practice and executive management roles, and most recently running a family office and his own businesses in the finance and recreation industries. With experience across large and small business, in ASX-listed, family-owned and start-up models, Andrew is passionate about the role business can and should have in improving the world, contributing positively to change, and enriching the lives of everyone in our community.

Nigel Pannett

Managing Director, Investment Manager and Agribusiness Specialist, Compass Agribusiness

Raised on a family farm in South Otago, New Zealand, Nigel Pannett understood from an early age that the key to a successful farm lies in creating financial sustainability. Nigel has extensive experience across the agribusiness sector – including agricultural finance, establishing farming partnerships – for farmers and investors – and supporting a range of farming businesses with advisory services in areas such as succession planning, technology and sustainable agricultural practices.

A graduate of Lincoln University, Canterbury, Nigel spent several years running his own farm in Canterbury before heading overseas and working in a range of roles across the agricultural industry. He returned to New Zealand to work in the rural banking sector, first based in Canterbury, then moving to Melbourne with Australasian bank ANZ.

While in Melbourne, he was approached by his friend Guy Blundell who was looking to extend his business Compass Agribusiness into Australia. Nigel became a partner in the business and Managing Director, Australia, in 2015, recognising a major opportunity in Australia in Tasmania. Since joining the company, Nigel has taken the Australian arm of Compass from strength to strength, growing an extensive portfolio of assets under management, as well as overseeing and alongside securing investment opportunities for clients.

Outside the office, Nigel keeps fit with a range of outdoor pursuits including mountain biking, skiing, and water sports, alongside spending time with his family.

Sebastian Hams (Moderator)

Partner, KordaMentha

Sebastian has twenty years experience in commerce, business advisory, restructuring and recovery, with involvement in a range of traditional insolvency assignments, business reviews and complex project management roles. Sebastian also has considerable experience in business sale processes both in formal insolvency and traditional scenarios. Sebastian has experience leading turnaround consultancy projects, including a number of formal and informal interim CFO roles, strategic project management roles, reviewing turnaround and finance plans and assisting with banking relations. Working across a range of industry sectors, throughout Australia and overseas, gives Sebastian a valuable depth of business experience to draw upon when considering client solutions particularly in aviation, construction and entities with large employee numbers. Sebastian recently lead the trade stream of the Gunns engagement completing the sale of Gunns Timber Products which included two mills and three distribution centres across five states with approximately 400 employees.