Battleground Chats

Join me on Battleground Chats as I explore risk and resilience with Nir Braun (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-braun/) from Elements during my visit to Israel.

In this episode, Nir shares his unexpected journey into business continuity, starting from his time in the Israeli Secret Services, where he was tasked with creating a secondary data center. Discover how he developed his own methodologies for business impact analysis and cyber resilience, despite the lack of local expertise. Nir's unique perspective, focusing on crisis management rather than just IT systems, sets him apart in the field. We discuss the importance of preventing crises and the cultural mindset of "it will be okay," common in Israel and Australia.

Tune in to learn from Nir's experiences and insights into managing and mitigating crises effectively.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with my good friend Sharon Buckland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bucklandsharon) to explore her fascinating 30-year journey in the world of resilience and risk management.

Sharon shares her humble beginnings in the UK, where she was part of the pioneering efforts in business continuity management following significant events like the IRA bombings. We discuss the evolution of resilience from its early days in the UK to its current state in Australia, highlighting the differences in approach and mindset. Sharon provides insights into the challenges and changes in the industry, including the impact of COVID-19 and the increasing importance of aligning resilience with IT and cyber strategies.

Join us for an engaging conversation about the past, present, and future of resilience.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Luke Groom (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-groom-80bb1957/) to explore his accidental yet impactful journey into the world of risk and resilience. Luke shares how his career path evolved from writing procedures at a major Australian bank to becoming a seasoned risk professional.

We delve into the intricacies of operational risk, the challenges of measuring the immeasurable, and the evolving landscape of risk management. Luke offers insights into the importance of preparedness over prediction, especially in today's fast-paced world where external risks are prevalent. We also discuss the growing convergence of risk and resilience disciplines and the role of third and fourth-party risks.

Join us for an engaging conversation about the ever-changing field of risk management and what it takes to thrive in it.

Join me on this engaging episode of Battleground Chats as I welcome Joe McDavitt (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemcdavitt/), a key member of the Battleground family.

We dive into Joe's fascinating journey from his early days in New Zealand through his extensive career at Deloitte across multiple countries. Joe shares insights into his transition from consultancy to banking, where he discovered his passion for risk data and GRC systems. Together, we explore the evolution of risk management in the era of AI and the importance of connected data.

Joe's story is a testament to finding passion in unexpected places and leveraging it to build innovative solutions. Don't miss this insightful conversation filled with anecdotes, lessons, and the exciting future of risk systems.

Join me on Battleground Chats as I reconnect with my longtime friend and colleague, Roopa Raj (https://www.linkedin.com/in/roopa-raj/). We both embarked on our careers at KPMG 26 years ago, and our paths have intriguingly intertwined once again.

In this episode, Roopa shares her fascinating journey from IT audit at KPMG to navigating the complexities of compliance in the UK and back to Australia. We delve into her experiences of cultural differences between countries, the challenges of reinventing oneself, and the evolving role of AI in consulting.

Roopa also reflects on her transition from consulting to an in-house role, emphasizing the importance of influencing and integrating risk management into daily operations. Tune in to explore Roopa's insights and her philosophy of embracing opportunities with an open mind.

Join me on Battleground Chats as I sit down with Kirsty Altis-Downie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-altis-downie-b592b6a3/) to explore her unconventional journey into the world of risk management. From her early days at the University of Melbourne, where she bartered articles for chocolate, to her current role in construction risk, Kirsty's story is one of adaptability and discovery.

We delve into her experiences, the importance of communication and stakeholder management, and the evolving landscape of risk management. Kirsty shares insights from her recent trip to the RIMS conference in the US, highlighting the bright future of risk with enthusiastic young professionals entering the field.

Tune in for an engaging conversation about the challenges and rewards of navigating risk in today's world.

In this unique episode of Battleground Chats, I take a moment to share my personal journey from a graduate at KPMG to leading Battleground Group.

Reflecting on pivotal moments, I discuss my early days in financial audit, my transformative experience at Deloitte, and the creation of the innovative Bamboo tool. I delve into the challenges and revelations that led me to establish my own consulting company and eventually build the Battleground SaaS product. This episode offers insights into my passion for resilience, risk management, and the importance of relationships in consulting.

Join me as I explore the evolution of my career, the lessons learned, and the exciting future of Battleground Group.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Greg Gokavi-Whaley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-gokavi-whaley-30b4352/) to explore his fascinating journey into the world of risk and resilience. We delve into Greg's unique career path, which began with a move from music to financial services, eventually leading him to become a risk professional and CRO.

Greg shares insights on the importance of creativity and design thinking in risk management, emphasising the need for an agile mindset and innovative approaches. We also discuss the evolving role of resilience in risk management and how it requires a holistic, system-wide perspective.

Throughout our conversation, Greg highlights the value of maintaining a creative outlet, like music, to balance the analytical demands of the profession. Join us for an engaging discussion on navigating the complexities of risk and resilience with creativity and strategic thinking.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Jag Narayan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagnarayan/) on the sidelines of RMIA 2026 in Canberra. We delve into Jag's fascinating career journey, from his start in Westpac's internal audit to becoming the Chief Risk Officer at State Super.

Jag shares insights into his career transitions, including his move from audit to credit analysis and his experiences across various industries like banking, manufacturing, and insurance. We explore the evolving landscape of risk management, particularly within the superannuation industry, and the critical role it plays in safeguarding Australians' financial futures.

Join us as we discuss the challenges and opportunities in risk management and the importance of strategic exercises in preparing for potential crises.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Zack Gurdon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-g-751719a/) at the RMIA 2026 conference in Canberra to explore his fascinating journey in the world of risk management.

From his early days in security and intelligence to his pivotal roles at Australia Post, Telstra, NBN, and now as Chief Risk Officer at ASIC, Zack shares insights into how he navigated career transitions and embraced the challenges of different organisational cultures. We delve into the evolving concept of resilience, discussing its integral components of risk management, business continuity, and crisis management.

Zack's experiences highlight the importance of adaptability and the need for simplicity in complex environments. Join us for an engaging conversation that offers a deep dive into the intricacies of risk and resilience in today's dynamic landscape.