The FSC team enjoyed meeting so many of our Committee and Working Group members, industry stakeholders, speakers and members of the financial services community face-to-face for some much-needed networking, laughs, conversations and learnings.
We would like to acknowledge all of our generous FSC. Conference sponsors, our Day 1 speakers and MCs, and members of the FSC Conference and Events Committee for your hard work in helping bringing this event to life.
After lifting and shifting to an online format for our FSC. Conferences in 2020 and 2021, it was fantastic to come together in person last night for the first face-to-face Gala Dinner and Awards evening in three years.
Acting Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson joined us via Zoom for a keynote address about the current political climate and key issues facing the economy, followed by a fireside chat with political reporter Jack Tame.
In our first regulatory keynote, the FMA's Chief Executive Samantha Barrass joined us in person to share her thoughts on her first year with the regulator and what lies ahead for the FMA.
In this lively and engaging session, our chief economists Sharon Zollner, Kelvin Davidson, Mark Lister and Eric Crampton discussed and debated the economic state of New Zealand and the world with political reporter Jack Tame, reflecting on the challenges we face including the cost of living crisis, inflation, interest rates and their outlook for the next twelve months.
Minister for Climate Change and Associate Minister for the Environment Hon James Shaw joined us for a brief address to the audience, then handed over to a formidable panel for a discussion about the key climate concerns the financial services sector should be thinking about and acting on.
One of the most popular sessions from previous FSC. Conferences returned this year. At the Pitch Perfect breakfast, fintechs had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to our judging panel, who sent the finalists to the main platform later in the day to share their idea with the whole room.
Congratulations to Yarken and Sugar Wallet on delivering the top two winning pitches.
This breakfast is one of the most well-attended sessions at FSC. Conferences, and this year's packed out room made it no exception. Leadership expert Dr. Sue Watson joined industry leader Ana-Marie Lockyer for a conversation about how we get more women into leadership roles.