If there is one thing that Australians have always loved, it is property. The Great Australian Dream is the desire for every Australian family to own their own home.

Owning your own home on your own block of land was a symbol of success. If you are lucky you may even manage to get yourself an investment property. However, the opportunities to invest in real estate are more expansive than they have ever been before.

In today’s podcast, we are joined by one of the best real estate minds in Australia, MA Financial Joint-CEO – Julian Biggins who oversees much of the MA Financial business but has built a particular name for himself in real estate.

On today’s podcast, we unpack with Julian:

- The rise of altnerative real estate investment opportunities and where MA Financial is seeing value for investors across various strategies such as pubs and marinas

- We discuss Australia’s current “housing crisis” and the variables that are contributing to the shortfall in supply & development activity

- We hear from Julian about the growth of MA Financial in his time since starting the firm alongside Chris Wyke

We hope you enjoy!

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious awards for achievements in scientific research and research-based innovation. The 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation was received by Professor Andrew F Wilks & Dr Chris Burns who are credited with the invention of momelotinib a drug to help treat myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer that impacts one in 100,000.

The path to momelotinib achieving US FDA approval was a long one. Today’s journey follows the journey of Andrew Wilks, a young boy from Liverpool born to a working-class family who through his own innate curiosity and obsession with science has seen first-hand the good of what significant public and private investment into solving some of the world’s most challenging problems can provide to society.

On today’s podcast, we share an insight into the formative experiences of one of Australia’s great scientific minds.

We hear about his leap into entrepreneurship or what he calls “the dark side”.

Finally, we hear about the launch and early success of SYNthesis BioVentures, Andrew’s venture capital fund providing Ultra High Net Worth Individuals with access to a portfolio of exciting early-stage opportunities.

We hope you enjoy!

Navigating the world of alternative assets requires not just technical expertise, but a deep understanding of what investors across different markets truly value. Few people have had to adapt to those shifting demands as much as our guest today, Claire Smith. From Sydney to London and now back to Australia, Claire’s career has taken her across global financial hubs, where she has raised billions for infrastructure debt, private equity, and private credit strategies—gaining firsthand insight into the evolving appetite for alternative investments.

Claire started her career at Macquarie, where she transitioned from structured finance and derivatives into infrastructure debt investment, eventually leading fundraising efforts in Europe and securing over £4 billion in commitments for large-scale projects. In 2017, she joined Schroders in London, helping drive the firm’s expansion in private markets before returning to Sydney to lead business development for Schroders’ Australian private markets division. Her expertise spans infrastructure, real estate, private equity, and credit—sectors that have grown exponentially as institutional investors shift away from traditional asset classes.

In today’s episode, we explore Claire’s career in global finance, her perspective on the future of private assets, and what makes Schroders’ approach to private equity different from the traditional buyout model.

We’ll also discuss how she identifies high-potential investments, working with founder-led businesses, and her advice for young professionals looking to build a career overseas. We hope you enjoy

Building a global technology company from scratch is no easy feat—but building one out of a demountable office in an industrial business park is something else entirely. That’s exactly how TechnologyOne began. What started in the car park of JL Mactaggart Industries with a small investment and a big idea has since grown into one of Australia’s most successful enterprise software companies, now worth nearly $10 billion on the ASX.

At the helm of this extraordinary journey is our guest today, Adrian Di Marco. As the founder of TechnologyOne, Adrian pioneered one of Australia’s first true tech startups, navigating an industry that was still in its infancy. From creating cutting-edge relational database technology to taking on global giants like Oracle and SAP, he has spent decades proving that an Australian software company can not only compete but lead in the global enterprise market. Under his leadership, TechnologyOne has consistently doubled its revenues and profits every four to five years since listing on the ASX in 1999, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to innovation.

In today’s episode, we dive into Adrian’s remarkable career, from his early days in Brisbane to the founding and expansion of TechnologyOne into international markets.

We’ll also explore his thoughts on leadership, innovation, and what it takes to build a tech powerhouse in an industry dominated by global giants. We hope you enjoy

For many people in finance, the dream is to one day work in New York—the global hub of capital markets, where deals are made, trends are set, and some of the biggest investment opportunities are uncovered. Our next guest, William Liu, is living that dream. As a research analyst at Wilson Asset Management, he sits in New York, covering global equities for WAM —all at a relatively young age.

Will’s journey to WAM Global is a fascinating one, and in today’s episode, he takes us inside the world of global stock picking, sharing how he sources and evaluates investment opportunities from the heart of the financial world. We’ll also hear about some of his top picks at the moment, the trends shaping markets, and the investment philosophy that guides his decisions.

In today’s episode, we dive into Will’s path to landing a job in New York, his insights into the current investment landscape, and his advice for young professionals looking to break into the world of funds management.

The transition to a cleaner energy future is one of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—of our time. Critical minerals, the energy transition, and the innovation imperative for mining are all at the center of this global shift. Few people understand this landscape better than our guest today, Peter Bryant. As the Board Chair of Clareo and Co-Founder of the Development Partner Institute, Peter has spent his career advising global leaders on how to drive innovation, sustainability, and strategic growth in the resources sector.

Peter’s work spans some of the world’s most influential mining and energy companies, including Anglo American, BHP, and Rio Tinto. He has spoken at leading forums such as COP26, IMARC, and CERAWeek, and he leads the Key Minerals Forum, engaging with U.S. policymakers to shape the future of the global mining sector.

In today’s episode, we explore Peter’s insights into the evolving role of critical minerals, and how mining companies can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

We’ll also discuss the importance of innovation in the mining sector and how strategic leadership can position Australia as a global force in the energy transition.

The ability to apply a specific skillset across vastly different industries is a rare and valuable talent. Our next guest, Mitch Hooke AM, has done this exceptionally well. From pioneering reduced tillage farming systems on the Darling Downs to shaping market-oriented grain policies at the Grains Council of Australia, and later driving sustainable development as CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, Mitch’s career demonstrates how expertise and adaptability can lead to profound impact across sectors.

Starting on a sheep property in Victoria and moving into public policy, Mitch has consistently bridged the gap between industry and advocacy. His work has influenced national and international debates, from deregulation in agriculture to sustainable practices in mining. More recently, he’s taken on a new challenge as part of the federal government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme advisory committee, bringing his wealth of experience to support SMEs in commercializing innovative products.

Hello and welcome back to The Business Of, I’m Will, and I’m Charlie. On today’s episode, we explore Mitch’s remarkable journey across agriculture, food, and mining, delving into his leadership style and the lessons he’s carried between industries.

We’ll also discuss his views on sustainability, his vision for the future of Australian industries, and the advice he has for young professionals entering public policy and advocacy.

We hope you enjoy this On-Air at IMARC episode!

Starting a transformative business is a bold move—but starting one with your brother, and only five years out of university, takes vision and confidence. In 1987, Terry Paule and his brother Spiro founded Financial Index, now known as Findex, with the goal of revolutionizing how Australians approach accounting and advisory services. What began as an innovative idea has grown into a national powerhouse with over 110 locations across Australia and New Zealand and more than $28 billion in funds under advice.

Terry’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop with Findex. Over the years, he’s diversified his efforts into ventures like Botanical Water Technologies and My Life Biocheese, combining business success with a passion for sustainability and global impact. His journey is a testament to the power of bold decisions and a commitment to making a difference.

Hello and welcome back to The Business Of, I’m Will, and I’m Charlie. In today’s episode, we explore Terry’s remarkable career - from the early days of Findex to the strategic decisions that built it into a national leader.

We’ll also dive into his innovative projects in water technology and plant-based foods, his perspective on mentoring and philanthropy, and how he’s using business as a force for good.

We hope you enjoy.

Visit Terry's website to learn more about his current ventures: https://www.terrypaule.com/

Moving toward net zero is one of the defining challenges of our time, and ensuring that this transition is both effective and sustainable requires careful, considered leadership. Few people are better placed to navigate this than our next guest, Tania Constable, CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia. In her role, Tania is helping to push Australia in the right direction, balancing ambitious sustainability goals with practical decisions that consider the needs of all stakeholders.

Tania’s career journey is interesting. From her work at the CO2CRC, Australia’s leading research body for carbon capture and storage, to her tenure in government and now leading the MCA, she’s been at the forefront of critical issues shaping Australia’s resources and energy sectors. Her expertise and dedication have earned her widespread respect, as well as a Public Service Medal for her contributions to these industries.

Hello and welcome back to The Business Of, I’m Will, and I’m Charlie. On today’s episode, we explore Tania’s transition from public service to leading the MCA, her approach to advocating for the mining sector, and the challenges and opportunities she sees in balancing economic growth with sustainability.

We hope you enjoy this On-Air at IMARC episode!

Maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit while working in a large organisation isn’t always easy, but for our next guest, Owen Hegarty, it became a defining part of his career. While at Rio Tinto, Owen saw opportunities others might have overlooked, particularly in junior resources. This mindset ultimately led him to make a bold decision—to turn down a safer, high-profile executive role at Rio Tinto and instead take a leap of faith to found Oxiana, a move that would go on to redefine his career and the Australian mining landscape.

Owen’s journey began with a foundation in economics before transitioning to mining, where he spent 25 years at Rio Tinto, gaining unmatched experience across commodities and continents. Guided by an entrepreneurial vision, he built Oxiana into a leading copper and gold miner, eventually merging it into OZ Minerals in a $12 billion deal. Today, as the founder of EMR Capital, Owen continues to shape the mining industry with his innovative approach to investment and development.

Hello and welcome back to The Business Of, I’m Will, and I’m Charlie. On today’s episode, we explore Owen’s remarkable career, from his transformative years at Rio Tinto to building Oxiana into a mining powerhouse.

We’ll also discuss his insights into the evolving resources industry, the challenges of global operations, and his vision for Australia as a capital markets hub for mining.

We hope you enjoy this On-Air at IMARC episode!