Event Details
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm AEDT (UTC+11:00)
Date: 14 October 2026
Venue: Online
Registration Fee: FREE
CPD Points: 1 point
About the Event
Geopolitical volatility is no longer a distant strategic concern. Conflict, trade restrictions, cyber threats, sanctions, supply chain disruption, energy insecurity and shifting government policy can quickly create practical consequences for Australian organisations, including interrupted services, rising costs, supplier failure, compliance exposure and heightened operational risk.
This session will unpack how organisations can identify relevant geopolitical signals, assess potential business impacts, connect risks to critical controls and response plans, and maintain accountability as conditions change. Attendees will see how an integrated operational risk and resilience approach can help turn complex external threats into practical actions that can be managed across teams, suppliers and leadership.
This practical conversation will explore how to use data responsibly, keep human judgement at the centre, and bring a community lens to organisational resilience.
Key takeaways
Understand how geopolitical events can flow through to operational, financial, regulatory, cyber and supply chain risk.
Learn how to distinguish relevant geopolitical signals from the constant volume of global news and commentary.
Explore how scenario planning can support faster, more coordinated decision-making during uncertainty.
Consider practical ways to build a geopolitical risk capability that supports day-to-day operations, not just annual planning.
About the Speakers
Luke Smailes
Director | Risk Strategy & Technology
Battleground
Luke has held senior management roles across the consulting firms and financial services organisations, which provides him with a unique perspective on how to deliver services that generate sustainable, long-term value for clients
Luke is a proven leader with a track record of driving significant transformation projects in risk management, data & governance, technology & digital, regulatory change and GRC systems. Luke is also an expert in APRA’s prudential architecture, being consulted as part of the industry group at APRA in relation to CPS 230 and CPG 230, as well as numerous other prudential regulatory reforms over the past two years.
On a personal front, Luke, a West Australian native and West Coast Eagles supporter, feels most at home by the beach, living in Bondi for 10 years. He loves his golf and is an avid skier, trading the speedos for a ski-suit in the winter months.
Ayana Dobie
Consultant | Risk & Resilience
Battleground
As a Risk & Resilience Consultant, Ayana brings experience in financial services regulation, risk and resilience. She helps organisations navigate complex risk environments and build resilience in the face of increasing uncertainty.
Ayana has a particular interest in geopolitical risk, crisis preparedness and organisational resilience. Her focus is on translating insights from an increasingly complex global environment into informed responses to uncertainty and disruption, supporting stronger preparedness and long-term resilience.
Note: As part of our ongoing commitment to provide valuable connections, we would like to inform you that the contact information provided during registration may be shared with our event sponsors. This is in accordance with our privacy policy and will be done solely for the purpose of fostering professional engagement and collaboration opportunities.