In this episode of YS Up Governance and Boards Podcast, 3YS Owls Governance Consultants, Ainslie Cunningham and Deb Anderson interview Simone Thompson, Managing Director of ST Consult Pty Ltd, a boutique consultancy specialising in providing tailored and pragmatic advice and services to financial services entities. Areas of expertise are governance, compliance and risk management, product and operational strategy and group life insurance.

We discuss with Simone compliance, risk and governance in the superannuation industry, ESG, ethical investing, financial literacy and Simone's extensive experience in financial services.

"It's incredibly more professional than it was, even in my short career of 15 years or so, the professionalism of the trustee offices, the number of staff that are in there, the engagement with service providers, all of that is a huge difference to where it was 15 years ago. The board and the education of boards and the willingness of boards to get involved with the product and the services, all of that has enhanced so much. I mean, obviously we've seen a considerable shrinking of the market compared to the number of super funds there were as to now, and I think in 10 years' time there'll be a lot less super funds there, and I think that's just led to a more professional setup as well."
- Simone Thompson

Summary of episode
· Compliance, risk and governance in the superannuation industry
· Ethical investing
· Financial literacy
· ESG
· Niche funds
· Robo advice
· Access to financial advice
· Dealing with regulators
· Early access to Super as a result of COVID-19
· Diversity

About Simone Thompson
Simone Thompson is the Managing Director of ST Consult Pty Ltd, a boutique consultancy specialising in providing tailored and pragmatic advice and services to financial services entities. Areas of expertise are governance, compliance and risk management, product and operational strategy and group life insurance.

Prior to launching ST Consult, Simone spent two years in the role of Risk and Compliance Manager for Australian Ethical Investment, and ten years as a consultant and director of PFS Consulting.

Simone is also a Non-Executive Director of Togethr Trustees, a superannuation trustee holding an Extended Public Offer RSE Licence, which currently manages $26 billion on behalf of over 150,000 members of Catholic Super and Equipsuper.

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About Us - 3YS Owls - Governance Consultants
3YS Owls are a corporate governance firm and incorporated legal practice who specialise in providing a variety of services and solutions across corporate governance, company secretary, board advisory, strategy, risk and business consulting. Contact the team today to see how we can help you.

Transcript
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YS Up - Governance and Boards Podcast is an easy to understand educational podcast covering hot topics in governance, risk, latest regulatory changes and issues keeping directors and executives awake at night. A practical guide to assist in navigating the complex regulatory minefield, increased public scrutiny, erosion of trust, climate change, modern slavery, non-financial risks, systemic cultural problems and other challenges facing companies in Australia in 2020 and beyond. Are you a company secretary, director, board member, C-Suite, executive or senior manager with an interest in governance, risk and regulatory change? Then this is the podcast for you!

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