Managing uncertainty – what’s ahead for the Asia Pacific
Brian Barna, National Intelligence Manager – East Asia, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (live via video from Washington DC)

If China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2001 marked the high point of globalisation, 2022 is already looking like the lowest point yet for advocates of closer trade, economic and cultural ties between nations. Large global businesses are more exposed to the chill winds of nationalism, conflict and division now than at any other point in the last 20 years, and those leading the Finance function of multinationals in the Asia Pacific region need to be aware of the risk, and ready to grasp the opportunities. As we continue to consider the implications of major world events on businesses, we’re privileged to be joined by Brian Barna, a senior member of the US intelligence community. Brian leads the intelligence community’s East Asia efforts as the National Intelligence Manager for East Asia at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The organisation’s goal is to effectively integrate foreign, military and domestic intelligence in defence of the homeland and of United States interests abroad. Prior to his role at the ODNI, Brian was Chief and Deputy Chief of Analysis at the Central Intelligence Agency’s Europe and Eurasia Mission Center. He has held senior positions on the President’s Daily Brief Staff and served overseas as a Directorate representative.

Uncertainty, volatility and growth: economic expectations for 2023
Robert Subbaraman, Chief Economist & Head of Global Markets Research, Asia ex-Japan, Nomura

In a macroeconomic environment in which we can often feel like our strategic decisions have little impact, what role do business leaders play in driving performance? That’s the big picture question we’ll be exploring as we look at economic expectations for 2023 after a turbulent 12 months heavily influenced by macro factors such as war, sanctions, pandemic and climate change. We’ll start with the big global economies, and seek to understand the impact a volatile Western Europe, a slowing US and a tepid Chinese economy will have on the Asia Pacific region. If the key phrase for 2022 was ‘supply chain’, the word we’re all bandying around for 2023 is ‘inflation’. In a perfect storm of rapidly rising energy prices and matching rises in agricultural commodities, manufacturing inputs and transportation costs, what’s ahead for the Asia Pacific, and what approach should multinationals take to investment? We’ll be joined in our discussion by Nomura Chief Economist Rob Subbaraman. a former central bank economist who has spent 25 years in Asia leading economics research for global investment banks.

The workplace of the future
Darren Battle, Head of Corporate Realestate and Workplace Asia Pacific, JLL
Priscilla Rotgans, Head of Finance Asia Pacific, JLL

The COVID-19 pandemic was probably the biggest change in workplace dynamics in generations. Suddenly we were all working remotely, interacting with peers, colleagues and customers via video. Some workers even moved cities and countries, leveraging flexibility for lower living expenses and proximity to family. And then almost as suddenly, the office was back. Now workers and executives alike are wrestling with the purpose, utility and design of the workplace. We know it needs to be different, but with so many conflicting ideas, which workplaces are the most successful in promoting collaboration and productivity? Meeting at JLL’s Paya Lebar Quarter campus office, we’ll be joined by Darren Battle, Head of Corporate Realestate and Workplace, who’ll walk us through the major post-pandemic workplace trends. Together with JLL Asia Pacific Head of Finance Priscilla Rotgans, he’ll discuss the evolution of the JLL office space, and lead a tour of the facility.

Luncheon and light refreshments will be served.