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Business Sydney Online Briefing

Online briefing with AMY Brown, CEO, investment NSW

12 August 2021

As CEO of the recently created government agency Investment NSW (INSW), Amy Brown’s goal is to make NSW the leading place to invest through establishing INSW as a one-stop-shop and a concierge for national and international businesses.

In her ‘Introduction to INSW’ online briefing, Amy outlined how the motto of ‘We make opportunities happen’ works to attract investment to the state through its global business and trade experts based in six international markets throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.

INSW seeks out new target markets for global exports, encourages multi-nationals to headquarter here and attract and retain the best international talent to NSW.

INSW reports into several state government ministers, including Minister Ayres, Minister Stokes, Treasurer Perrottet and the Premier, working with other government agencies to make it easier and less expensive to do business in NSW. This involves things like payroll tax exemptions, offering long term leases on government owned land, streamlining regulations, supporting R & D, and co-investment in skills and training.

Key sectors INSW is targeting include; bio/medi tech, defence and aerospace, agri tech, international education, clean energy and the visitor sector. Its immediate goals include boosting exports by $100m and creating 5,000 new jobs.

To achieve these goals involves building partnerships between the state government and business, and Amy encourages businesses to approach and collaborate with INSW. Showing the world that NSW is open for business and enabling economic activity in our state.

online briefing WITH Amy Brown, CEO, Investment NSW

On Zoom: Thursday, 12 August 2021

Chief Executive Officer, Investment NSW

Amy is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Investment NSW. She is passionate about enabling access to opportunities for individuals via a strong economy, healthy communities, and high-quality government services. Amy also believes in the power of partnership between Government, the private sector, NGO’s & educational institutions to drive outcomes and deliver value for taxpayers.

Prior to becoming CEO of Investment NSW, Amy was Deputy Secretary and head of the Strategy and Delivery Group at the Department of Premier and Cabinet – responsible for providing expert commercial, strategic and economic advice to the Premier on major and complex whole-of-government policies, programs and projects.

Amy has also been a Partner in the Sydney office of PwC’s Infrastructure and Urban Renewal Business, worked in infrastructure finance at NSW Treasury and as an infrastructure lawyer in a number of top tier law firms.

Recent events

Andrew Abdo 

Chief Executive Officer, National Rugby League

Chief Executive Officer, National Rugby League

 Prior to that Andrew held the position of Chief Commercial Officer for the NRL for 4 years, primarily responsible for revenue growth. During this period, Andrew led the growth of the game’s total revenues by 12% per annum (growing from $334m in 2015 to $528m in 2019).

Together with Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys AM, Andrew played a pivotal role both in the NRL becoming the first national sporting code to return to the field following the suspension of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

With a background in corporate finance, Andrew has led the commercial growth of the sport through innovations in sponsorship, events and digital experiences, including the creation of Magic Round and establishing an in-house creative agency for partners. He believes sport is about entertainment, about bringing people and communities together, and in helping deliver social change. 

South African born, Andrew is a qualified Chartered Accountant, holds an MBA and enjoyed a successful finance career in Johannesburg before he and his family migrated to Sydney in 2012 where he took up a role with Deloitte Australia before joining the NRL.  

Kate Jones

ARLC Commisioner

ARLC Commissioner

Kate Jones has more than 20 years experience in senior government and leadership positions. Kate served as a Minister in the Queensland Government for more than eight years in a range of portfolios including State Development, Education, Tourism and Major Events and Innovation and Climate Change.

Kate was also the Minister for the Commonwealth Games working closely with key industry partners and all levels of government to successfully deliver Queensland’s largest ever event, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Throughout 2020, Kate was instrumental in working with many national sporting codes to ensure they could continue to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and she led the government’s economic response for the tourism and events industries.

Kate has also served as a member of the Cabinet Budget Review Committee developing and implementing Queensland’s state budget and overarching economic strategy for the state. Kate has a Masters in Environmental Law (ANU) and a Bachelor of Arts, Journalism Major (QUT).

Throughout her career Kate has also served on a number of government and non-government boards at both a state and national level. Kate has strong skills in strategy development and partnerships, crisis management, media relations and communications.

Matthew Halliday

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Ampol

Managing Director & CEO, Ampol

Matthew Halliday was appointed Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer in June 2020. He joined Ampol in April 2019 as Chief Financial Officer.

Prior to joining Ampol, Matt enjoyed a successful career with Rio Tinto spanning 20 years, where he held senior finance and commercial roles across several divisions and geographies.

Matt is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and an MBA from London Business School.

Samantha Bremner 

Current Rugby League Player

Current rugby league player and Harvey Norman Australian Jillaroo

Samantha Bremner is a current rugby league player with a decorated career at club, state and country level. She was named captain of the first-ever St George Illawarra NRLW team in 2018 and has represented both New South Wales and Australia, winning two World Cups with the Jillaroos. In addition to her leadership roles during her playing career, she joined the Dragons coaching staff for a stint in 2019 during time off the field following the birth of her first baby. She is also broadening her experience behind-the-scenes in her role as NRLW liaison.

Sam is an important ambassador for women’s rugby league and continues to advocate for players and the competition.