Sydney ​SYNERGY 2025 
Agenda

Please note: Agenda subject to change

Time

Session

10:45 - 11:10 am​

Morning Tea

12:05 - 1:05 pm​

Lunch

2:30 - 3:30 pm​

Networking and Refreshments

9.30 - 10:00am

Market Trends Shaping the Legal, Tax Compliance and Finance Professions​

Thomson Reuters leaders will share the key trends observed in both local and global markets that impact businesses and firms. From the explosion in data volumes and transformational AI to increasing regulations, stay informed with the latest in-house data illustrating the current and future state of legal, tax compliance, and finance.​

Speakers

Vishal Bali
Managing Director, Asia & Emerging Markets, Thomson Reuters

10:00am - 10:45am

Impact of Geopolitics and Regulations on Leading Industries

Business leaders are confronting the challenges of evolving regulations and geopolitical complexities. Join John Mair, Southeast Asia Breaking News Editor, Reuters, as he interviews top executives at public and private organisations in consumer, energy, legal and the financial services sectors. The panel aims to explore how companies are seizing opportunities in a new era.​

Moderator

John Mair
Southeast Asia Breaking News Editor, Reuters

Speakers

Blake Briggs
Chief Executive Officer, Financial Services Council

11:10 - 11:40 AM

Augmenting Your Tech Ecosystem with Thomson Reuters​

In 2024, Thomson Reuters invested over $200 million in AI, doubling their 2023 investment. The company also acquired Materia and SafeSend to enhance automation for tax and accounting professionals. In this keynote, leaders will discuss new and ongoing investments in the Asia & Emerging Markets business at Thomson Reuters and how they will benefit legal, tax compliance, and finance customers in 2025 and beyond. Learn how to augment your tech ecosystem with a trusted technology partner.​

Speakers

Chris Reich
VP Product Management - ONESOURCE, Thomson Reuters
Thomas Sander
Senior Director of Product Management, Thomson Reuters

11:30 - 12:05 PM

Setting the Tone of Digital Transformation from the Top​

Anecdotally, executives are becoming increasingly active in championing digital transformation. By setting the tone from the top, a growing number of leaders are advocating for a more accelerated transition into a digital-first future to ensure their businesses thrive. This panel will explore the strategies and visions of these executives as they push for a greater pace of change.​

Moderator

Mollie Tregillis
Legal Industry Advisor and Founder, Mollusc

Speakers

Lisa Kozaris
Chief Innovation & Legal Solutions Officer, Allens

01:05 - 1:50 PM

Drivers of Collaboration Between Law Firms, In-house Legal & Tech Partners​

The priorities of law firms and legal counsel are aligning with the evolving legal technology market. Stakeholders are working closely together to achieve positive legal and business outcomes. Hear from legal leaders who are deploying complex collaboration strategies through trusted partnerships and knowledge sharing.​

Moderator

Catherine Roberts
Senior Director, AI and Legal Tech, Asia & Emerging Markets, Thomson Reuters

Speakers

Nigel Bond
General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer, Consumer, Technology and COO, Legal, Westpac
Susannah Wilkinson
Director, Generative AI (Digital Change), Herbert Smith Freehills
Stewart Rasmussen
Chief Executive Officer, Syncly

01:05 - 1:50 PM

Preparing for the Future of Tax and Regulatory Changes​

Many corporate taxpayers in Australia are actively collaborating with the ATO on initiatives aimed at enhancing tax transparency and compliance. Despite these efforts, the rates of collectable debt are on the rise, and the crackdown on the 'shadow economy' persists. In this panel, experts will discuss how companies are gearing up to meet evolving domestic and international tax obligations through increased communication, a digital-first approach, and the adoption of real-time reporting to ensure timely and accurate data sharing. This includes Australia's response to the OECD’s Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) program, aligning with global standards.​

Moderator

Andrew Hay
Senior Director, Proposition Lead, Software Solutions, Thomson Reuters

Speakers

Jeremy Hirschhorn
Second Commissioner – Client Engagement, Australian Taxation Office
Jenny Tse
Head of Tax Reporting and Insights, Lion Group
Jenny Wong
Tax Lead - Policy & Advocacy, CPA Australia
Michael Anderson
Partner - Tax Corporate & International Tax, BDO

01:50 - 02:30 PM

How Far Along is the LegalTech Evolution?

The typical tech stack within firms and legal departments is far more complex and sophisticated than ever. Firms and legal teams are helping to shape the future of LegalTech and manipulating tech to service a vast array of use cases. What problems are yet to be solved for the legal profession that tech hasn't the answer for, yet? Hear from experts who are actively innovating to enable their legal team to advance their clients' strategic business objectives and are actively engaged in LegalTech implementation.

Moderator

Tyrilly Csillag
Director of Legal Transformation, Asia & Emerging Markets, Thomson Reuters

Speakers

Dennis Tuan-Mu
General Counsel, The Ascott Limited, Australia
Chris Grier
Vice President, Legal, Abt Global
Mitch Grant
Director of Operational Excellence, Maddocks

01:50 - 02:30 PM

Embedded, Connected and Intelligent Indirect Tax Transformation

Imagine your company's indirect tax technology being integrated, connected, and intelligent. Leaders in indirect tax are configuring their tech stacks to enhance compliance workflows and unlock bottlenecks. With automated solutions, companies are meeting the requirements of e-invoicing globally and reporting in real-time. Learn how executives are expediting every step of the indirect tax compliance process.

Moderator

Mark Oh
Indirect Tax Portfolio Lead, Asia & Emerging Markets, Thomson Reuters

Speakers

Chris Reich
VP Product Management - ONESOURCE Thomson Reuters
Joy Kennedy
Customer Advisor oCFO CoE ANZ, SAP