Navigating Global Trends with Westpac Smarts

 

 

Helping your business navigate Global Trends in 2024

Presented by Westpac, Auckland Business Chamber and CFA Society New Zealand

Date: Tuesday 7 May 2024
Time: 10:00am - 11:00am

Join our upcoming Westpac Smarts webinar, hosted by Simon Bridges, CEO of Auckland Business Chamber, and featuring Kelly Eckhold, Chief Economist at Westpac NZ, and Thomas Mucha, Geopolitical Strategist at Wellington Management, Boston US as they discuss the current geopolitical conditions, their impact on the global economic outlook, and specifically what this means for New Zealand businesses.

The disucssion will cover:

  • Geopolitical Landscape and Global Economic Outlook: Gain valuable insights into the current global economic climate and its implications for businesses in New Zealand
  • Recent Geopolitical Tensions: Explore the unfolding dynamics of tensions involving Russia, Israel, Iran, and China, and understand their potential impacts internationally and for New Zealand businesses
  • Payments and Trade Tools in Geopolitics: Examine the increased use of payments and trade tools as instruments to achieve political objectives and its impact on international trade
  • Trade and Investment Flows: Assess the implications of geopolitical developments on trade and investment flows, providing you with strategic perspectives for your business
  • Focus on China: Delve into the global economic outlook with a specific focus on China, unraveling opportunities and challenges for businesses in the region.

Register now so we can get your business to greater, together. 

 

Introducing our speakers. 

 

Kelly Eckhold, Chief Economist, Westpac

Kelly joined Westpac as Chief Economist in March 2023. Prior to this Kelly worked for 11 and a half years with the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC covering macroeconomic, financial stability and monetary policy issues in a variety of emerging and developed markets. Most recently Kelly was involved in the 5 yearly Financial Sector Assessment Programs in the United States and United Kingdom and has done work assessing the United States Federal Reserve’s monetary policy implementation and quantitative easing and tightening approach. Prior to working with the IMF Kelly worked at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in the Economics and Financial Stability departments.
 

Simon Bridges, CEO, Auckland Business Chamber

A lawyer turned senior National politician, Simon has held a raft of senior responsibilities in politics, including as Leader of the National Party. Prior to Parliament, Simon started his career in a national law firm and was then a Crown prosecutor. Simon has an LLB (Hons) and BA from Auckland University where he received a Senior Law prize, and a Bachelor of Civil law from Oxford University. Following his retirement from politics, Simon was appointed CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber. As well as a few other Board roles, he has recently been appointed as the Chair of NZTA.

 



 

Thomas Mucha, Geopolitical Strategist, Wellington Management, Boston US

As a member of the firm’s Global Macro Strategy Group, Thomas conducts research on the macro and market implications of geopolitical risk. In his role, he also focuses on internal and external communication efforts, with a particular emphasis on connecting our macro insights to actionable investment ideas in client portfolios.

 

Previous Webinars.


Our Westpac team have facilitated great conversations over the past couple of years. If you're interested in viewing some of these recordings, click below to view our archives.