Speakers
In response to geopolitical developments, spending on the defence industries is rising sharply while regional security dynamics are shifting. At the same time, member sentiment, regulatory expectations and responsible investment norms continue to evolve — often faster than investment policies can keep up.
How should defence-related exclusions be interpreted and applied today? What is consistent with fiduciary duty, client expectations, ethical considerations and responsible investment practice?
This session will help you understand and navigate this increasingly complex area, so that you can understand the intersection of ethics, geopolitics and fiduciary duty, distinguish between legally grounded exclusions and discretionary ethical screens, and communicate clearly with members, regulators and boards.
Head of Investment Solutions, Australia and New Zealand at Scientific Beta
Warwick is Head of Investment Solutions for Australia and New Zealand at Scientific Beta, an SGX Group subsidiary providing multi-factorand climate index solutions to investors. Previously with Dimensional Fund Advisors and Macquarie Group, he holds a PhD in Finance and is a CFA Charterholder.
Member of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross & Red Crescent, CEO RedR Australia, Honorary Professorial Fellow University of Melbourne
Dr. Helen Durham is a humanitarian lawyer and academic and the CEO of RedR Australia since July 2023. She has spent 30 years in the humanitarian sector and has high-level expertise in international humanitarian law, policy and diplomacy.
Helen has significant field experience in Asia and the Pacific, as well as engagement in the Middle East, Africa and diplomatic negotiations in New York, Brussels and Geneva. She is widely published, in particular in the area of women and armed conflict.
Helen was the first woman and first Australian to be the Director of International Law and Policy for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from 2014 to 2022 in Geneva. In this role she oversaw a Department of 500 experts, from international lawyers and diplomats to former military officers and policy makers. Before this she held various roles with Australian Red Cross such as the Director of International Law and Strategy and National Manager of International Humanitarian Law. She was Head of Office for ICRC in Australia and Legal Adviser to the Pacific. In October 2024 Helen was elected to the Red Cross Red Crescent Standing Commission by the 34th International Conference, the highest decision-making body of the Movement.
Helen has regularly addressed the Security Council on topics such as cyber warfare, counterterrorism, the protection of women in conflict, and is highly experienced in engaging with all areas of the media.
She is a Professorial Fellow at Melbourne Law School and teaches in the Masters program having previously been a Director of Research at the Asia Pacific Centre of Military Law.
In 2017, she was awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of Australia.
With a Law/Arts degree, a PhD in international law (Melbourne and New York University), as well as being admitted as a barrister and solicitor, she is well regarded and highly sought for her advice and opinion on pressing humanitarian topics.
Chair of RIAA Board & Global Head of Responsible Investment at First Sentier Investors
Kate Turner is Global Head of Responsible Investment at First Sentier Investors. Based in Sydney, Kate and her team are responsible for defining and delivering our strategy globally. This includes supporting investment teams to integrate ESG factors into their investment processes, engaging with clients and stakeholders on responsible investment and creating learning and development opportunities for staff across all levels of the firm.Kate holds a number of additional roles, including Board Member of the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia, Chair of Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking APAC and Advisory Group member of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative.
Executive Director - Media, FS Sustainability
Michelle Baltazar is a finance journalist and editor with more than 20 years of financial services media experience. She co‑hosts The Greener Way, a weekly podcast on sustainable investing produced by FS Sustainability.
