Ashurst Business Agenda Podcast

How do you plan for the unexpected and build a Games that leaves more than memories behind?

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Andrew McCormack, partner in Ashurst’s Project and Energy Transition Team and lead of the Brisbane 2032 working group, returns to the conversation between Ashurst's global co-head of energy, Dan Brown, and Olympic risk expert Bob Walker. The discussion moves beyond operational logistics to focus on legacy, culture, and leadership.

Bob reflects on the importance of agility in planning, drawing on real-world examples from the Sydney Olympics and other major events. He also speaks candidly about the need for meaningful First Nations engagement, not only in ceremonies, but across volunteer programs, leadership teams, and long-term planning. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, this is a moment to get inclusion right and deliver genuine, community-driven outcomes.

This podcast contains general information and does not constitute legal advice. Ashurst is not a sponsor, licensee, or promotional partner of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic movement, nor any Olympic body, event, team, or athlete. Nothing in this podcast is intended to suggest any such sponsorship, license, or promotional affiliation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to plan and deliver a safe, people-first Olympic Games in today’s fast-changing world?

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Andrew McCormack, partner in Ashurst’s Project and Energy Transition Team, revisits a standout conversation from the 2032 and Beyond podcast series. Ashurst's global co-head of energy, Dan Brown, sits down with Bob Walker, who played a key leadership role in crisis and risk management for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, to explore the practical realities behind delivering one of the world’s largest and most complex events.

The discussion covers the core elements of successful Olympic risk management, from large-scale crowd planning and emergency preparedness to leadership that places people at the centre. Bob reflects on the value of human connection, strong culture, and flexible contingency planning in delivering not just a safe Games, but an experience that resonates with communities long after the final event.

This podcast contains general information and does not constitute legal advice. Ashurst is not a sponsor, licensee, or promotional partner of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic movement, nor any Olympic body, event, team, or athlete. Nothing in this podcast is intended to suggest any such sponsorship, license, or promotional affiliation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we build the world’s most sustainable Games by rethinking waste, design, and supply chains from the ground up?”

In this third mini-series episode, Andrew McCormack, as partner in Ashurst’s Project and Energy Transition Team and lead of the Brisbane 2032 working group,  reconnects with Jodie Briscout, Aurecon’s circular economy lead, to unpack the bold ideas driving the Brisbane 2032 legacy. They explore how the shift away from the “take, make, waste” model is reshaping the way we plan, procure, and deliver major infrastructure projects.

Jodie outlines the three pillars of a circular economy “designing out waste, retaining value, and regenerating nature,” and makes the case for urgent, systems-based change. She also shares how digital tools like material passports and twins could soon be standard in Olympic Games infrastructure, and why strong partnerships between government and industry are key to lasting impact.

This podcast contains general information and does not constitute legal advice. Ashurst is not a sponsor, licensee, or promotional partner of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic movement, nor any Olympic body, event, team, or athlete. Nothing in this podcast is intended to suggest any such sponsorship, licence, or promotional affiliation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can a mega-event like the Olympics become a catalyst for cutting emissions and building smarter cities?

In this episode, Andrew McCormack is again joined by Ashurst Risk Advisory Director Mike Duggan to explore the Queensland Government’s strategy for managing the environmental footprint of the Brisbane 2032 Games. Mike explains how every gram of carbon saved will count toward the Games' climate goals: “Every single ounce of carbon that we actually save is going to be reflected in the downward pressure we see on that carbon budget.”

The discussion covers practical innovations like decentralised energy systems, scalable efficiency measures, and how communities can co-create a low-carbon legacy. It also dives into the complexities of measuring long-term impact and why integration across legacy themes will be critical to lasting success.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to host an Olympic Games that leaves more than just memories?

In this bite-sized episode, Ashurst’s Andrew McCormack revisits insights from the 2032 and Beyond series, shining a spotlight on Brisbane 2032’s ambitious sustainability and legacy goals.

The episode emphasises that the legacy of the Games extends far beyond the venues themselves. From the creation of green spaces to job opportunities, Brisbane’s long-term strategy is being designed with the future in mind, ensuring the community continues to benefit long after the final medal has been awarded. “The one thing the organising committee has really done well from the beginning is set strict, best-practice sustainability standards for all the infrastructure projects,” says Ashurst Risk Advisory Director, Mike Duggan.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should seek legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with the best planning, disputes are inevitable in projects of olympic scale. The key is how you manage them.

In part two of this special two-part conversation, Ashurst’s Andrew McCormack continues the discussion with Melissa Yeo, Partner in Ashurst’s Dispute Resolution team, and Michael Duggan, Director in Ashurst Risk Advisory, turning the focus to how dispute resilience can be embedded into project delivery and legacy planning.

Melissa explains how dispute boards, governance mechanisms and collaborative contracting can help reduce impact once issues arise, while Michael reflects on the role dispute management will play in shaping Brisbane 2032’s long-term infrastructure and reputation. They also explore what legacy looks like when dispute resilience is treated not as a legal afterthought, but as a leadership mindset.

This podcast contains general information and does not constitute legal advice. Ashurst is not a sponsor, licensee, or promotional partner of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic movement, nor any Olympic body, event, team, or athlete. Nothing in this podcast is intended to suggest any such sponsorship, license or promotional affiliation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a high-stakes, high-pressure undertaking. With less than seven years to plan, build and deliver, the risk of disputes is real, and the cost of getting them wrong could be enormous.

In this first of a two-part conversation, Projects and Energy Transition Partner Andrew McCormack speaks with Melissa Yeo, Partner in Ashurst’s Dispute Resolution team, and Michael Duggan, Director in Ashurst Risk Advisory, about how early planning and a risk-based approach can help prevent disputes before they arise.

They explore why dispute management is mission-critical for Brisbane 2032, how robust contracts and early collaboration can manage complex interfaces, and why a proactive culture matters when timelines are tight and public expectations are high. Michael also outlines how governance and risk systems can actively support both dispute prevention and resolution from the outset.

This podcast contains general information and does not constitute legal advice. Ashurst is not a sponsor, licensee, or promotional partner of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic movement, nor any Olympic body, event, team, or athlete. Nothing in this podcast is intended to suggest any such sponsorship, license or promotional affiliation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every six months, the Ashurst team comes together from across the globe for its all-staff global call – an opportunity for everyone at Ashurst to connect, learn and celebrate achievements as one team.

In this special Business Agenda episode, our Global CEO, Paul Jenkins, speaks with Samallie Kiyingi, Global General Counsel, Corporate and Investment Bank at Standard Chartered, based in Singapore.

Together, Paul and Samallie delve into Samallie’s unique and inspiring career journey, exploring how curiosity, consistency, and courage have shaped her path – and why these qualities matter not just in law, but in any successful career.

Interested in building your career at Ashurst? Learn more about careers at Ashurst at ashurst.com/careers

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the Powering Change mini-series, this episode dives into the evolving role of biomethane in the energy transition. Host Cameron Smith, a partner in Ashurst’s Projects & Energy Transition team, is joined by Philipp Lukas, CEO of Future Biogas, one of the UK’s leading developer and operator of anaerobic digestion plants.

They discuss how Future Biogas is helping corporates like AstraZeneca take steps to decarbonise its operations using biomethane, and why partnerships, feedstock strategy, and supply chain transparency are critical. The episode also explores the path forward for biomethane and what barriers and opportunities remain.

Listen to this episode to understand the key role biomethane will play in the net-zero future and what businesses need to know to stay ahead. To explore the insights discussed during this episode, check out our Powering Change: A New Era for the Energy Transition report.

To listen to this episode, search for “Business Agenda” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. And to find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit ashurst.com/podcasts.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of our Powering Change mini-series, Ashurst’s Bree Miechel is joined by special guest Simon McFadden, a digital infrastructure expert at Aurecon. Together, they discuss how data centres – often referred to as “the factories of the digital age” – are evolving to keep pace with demand in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond.

Simon reveals the inside story of Aurecon’s extensive work across the data development lifecycle and explains why proximity to urban hubs, skilled labour, and supply chains remain vital, even as conversations around rural, renewables-linked data centres attract attention. He also tackles pressing issues such as water scarcity, artificial intelligence and regulation, and weighs up the relative merits of utility-scale batteries and modular nuclear reactors.

To listen to this episode, and to subscribe to future episodes, search for “Ashurst Business Agenda” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about the issues covered in this episode, read Ashurst’s latest Powering Change report. And to read an ongoing series of Ashurst insights on data centres visit this web page.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.