Talking Shop: A consumer sector podcast series

Expert insights for navigating the big trends and key issues redefining the global consumer sector. From rampant digitisation and supply chain reinvention to sustainability and geopolitical factors, the consumer sector is fast-evolving to meet the challenges – and opportunities – facing companies today.

Join our hosts Aoife Xuereb and Andrew Rich as they ‘talk shop’ with special guests unpacking the risks and opportunities for companies as they navigate new markets, technologies and customers, whilst managing operational, workplace and regulatory change in the sector.

LATEST EPISODE: Is the Australian Modern Slavery Act moving into a new phase?

Tim Stutt and Aoife Xuereb are joined by Jacqueline Wootton and Olga Klimczak for a Talking Shop X The Third Wheel podcast collaboration episode. Following the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act and its report being tabled in parliament, the Government is yet to confirm its position in relation to the reform recommendations, many of which seek to align with overseas regulatory trends for enhanced human rights due diligence, supply chain transparency and penalties to support corporate accountability. Our team discuss the importance of monitoring developments, applying a continuous improvement approach to supply chain risk identification and management (which can be particularly complex in the consumer sector) and working to ensure your business has in place robust payroll compliance governance processes. For more, read our recent legal briefing on the Modern Slavery Act review or visit our Business and Human Rights hub.

Episode 3: Confronting cybersecurity complexity

Cam Whittfield and Phillip Magness join Aoife Xuereb to discuss the risks and protections every board and management team needs to know in tackling cybersecurity complexity in the consumer sector.

Cam and Phillip share real-world observations on current cyber threats, the role of lawyers in incident response, engaging with threat actors and understanding cyber insurance. They underline practical and transparent approaches to people, process and technology for resilient supply chains.

For more on cybersecurity, check out our TechQuake series and how to survive the era of cyber insecurity.

Episode 2: Getting started with generative AI?

Susannah Wilkinson and Julian Lincoln join Aoife Xuereb to discuss generative AI and how it works - including some use cases, limitations, risks and mitigation strategies to be across when exploring how generative AI could deliver efficiencies in your organisation.

They suggest some helpful guardrails to support getting started particularly when the possibilities seem endless, emphasising the importance of good governance and matching the right tech and task to realise true value for the consumer sector, from product innovation to the supply chain, operations, marketing and sales.

For more on AI, check out our TechQuake series and its overview of generative AI. 

Episode 1: M&A outlook for the consumer sector in Asia and Australia

Aoife Xuereb, Nanda Lau and Andrew Rich discuss the outlook for M&A activity in Asia and Australia in the consumer sector, in light of the significant global macro-economic headwinds.  They note that, despite those headwinds, M&A markets remain very much ‘open for business’.

They also discuss how many consumer companies are looking to use M&A to reposition themselves through carving out companies, divisions and brands that are either no longer core or underperforming. They note that private capital firms with cash to deploy and trade buyers with strong balance sheets remain as keen as ever to acquire strong brands with stable cash flows.

For more on what to expect in 2023 and beyond on the M&A front, read our Global M&A Outlook.