More than two months into this pandemic, I’m starting to feel quite differently about where we are at and what’s ahead. Yes, there’s no denying there are huge challenges. Our economy and markets are cause for deep concern. It is not, however, the end of the world.
What I love most about the job I do is the fact that I get to talk to some of the smartest people on the planet: hear their views, thoughts and wisdom, and share them with you, our community.
This series of After Hours, with our chairs of super, in collaboration with Orbis Investments, has been fascinating.
We filmed the first part of the series face-to-face, literally a week before everything was locked down. My co-host then was respected managing director of Orbis Investments Jenny Josling.
Talking to the chairmen of the biggest merger in super, First State and Vic Super, was a chance to hear their thoughts on the role of super funds in a crisis.
We also heard the wisdom and experience of chair of CareSuper, Terry Wetherall.
Our second part, however, has been filmed two months into the pandemic. Yes, the format has changed a little, with everyone in their own remote location, but the content has been as good as ever. My co-host for this part of the series, Jason Ciccolallo, shared his own wisdom with me on the opportunity to lean in as investors, and not resist change.
While he may have been talking more about markets, I believe this wisdom holds true for our views on life as well. While it is incredibly difficult to do, the right way to approach change is to embrace it – or at the very least, not resist it. At first the changes in COVID lockdown were quite shocking and nobody knew what to expect. But we have now had time to get used to it – and figure out how to move forward with this situation in mind.
Industry veteran David Hartley shares his views with us this time. He talks with experience about the 1987 stock market crash, and has fascinating insight into market behaviour from last time that could apply to our new situation. And new super brand Fairvine Super’s chair, Sangeeta Venkatesan, shares her views on the effects on women this crisis has created.
As always, our job is to bring you thought provoking leaders and topics – and the series finale of After Hours, Chairmen of Super, is certainly that.
I hope you are all finding the positives in the change, and leaning into your own opportunities, despite the challenges ahead. It is a good thing our industry seems more united than ever before.
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