Leading policy, advocacy and research work
The work we have done to proactively represent the industry with
government and regulators has never been more important than it is
right now.
On top of our work in key areas of investment, innovation and taxation
policy, over recent months we have led the conversation with government
about the impact of key reforms such as the
temporary changes to the foreign investment policy framework, and access to the JobKeeper Program for eligible
businesses. The Council’s work in these areas – alongside work done to
establish the foreign investment exemption certificate regime – has had
a significant positive effect on the position of the private capital
industry today.
Just yesterday, the Council launched an important economic policy statement
on behalf of the industry to assist the government in re-starting the
national economy in the months ahead. Titled
‘Roadmap to Recovery: Creating A Stronger and More Dynamic Economy’, the statement will serve as the foundation for our work agenda with
government in the months ahead, supported by the high-quality research data
contained in the 2020 Preqin & Australian Investment Council Yearbook.
Industry relevant professional development and networking
Another way we have continued to support the industry this year is through
the relaunch of our highly-regarded PE101 program, which
features brand new content and highly-experienced industry practitioners delivering an immersive education
experience for new entrants to the private capital industry. In recent
weeks, we also launched an online webinar version of the
program – the first time that PE101 has been delivered digitally to
participants since its creation almost 20 years ago.
Work is being done right now to relaunch the VC101 program
in the second-half of 2020. The Council’s Board of Directors is also working closely with the Chief Executive to look at the
viability of a brand new Foundations of Private Capital
program as well. We’ll have more exciting news to share about this in
coming months.
During 2020 we also successfully launched our new networking platform for
the next generation of leaders across our industry. The Emerging Leaders Connect series features guest speakers
sharing insights and experience to help build meaningful business
relationships and career success for investment professionals across the
industry.
Boosting the industry’s diversity and inclusion scorecard
Boosting gender diversity and inclusion
across private capital is one of the Council’s most important long-term
initiatives on behalf of the industry. In this past year we reaffirmed our
commitment to the case for change by assembling our first-ever Champions of Change Program, comprised of 11 senior
leaders across the industry who will help to advance the pace and breadth
of change in key areas. This program supports ongoing work through the mentoring program, as well as the use of industry role models to expand the diversity of new talent
joining the industry.
Continue supporting the growth of private capital this year
This year, we are very pleased to be able to
keep fees across all categories of our membership unchanged
from 2019 levels. In addition, we also understand that the recent economic
slow-down has impacted all of our member firms in different ways, which is
why are offering a 15% pay-on-time discount for
memberships renewed by 1 July 2020.