Peter Switzer is one of Australia’s leading business and financial commentators, launching his own business 20 years ago. The Switzer Group has since grown into three successful companies spanning media and publishing, financial services and business coaching.

Peter is an award-winning broadcaster, twice runner-up for the Best Current Affairs Commentator award for radio, behind broadcaster Alan Jones. A former lecturer in economics at the University of NSW, Peter is currently:

• weekly columnist for Yahoo!7 Finance
• a regular contributor to The Australian newspaper and ABC radio
• host of his own TV show, Switzer and Grow Your Business, on SKY News Business
• regular host of the Super Show on 2GB radio.

Testimonials

Dear Peter, What fun! You are really very good at what you do. I appreciated our time together and wish you continued success in all you do. Have fun (I know you will).

Jack Welch, former CEO, GE, and ‘Manager of the Century’ (Fortune magazine)

Peter, It was great to have worked with you – you really made the event come alive. I hope you enjoyed yourself. I know Steve Ballmer [CEO, Microsoft Corporation] did.

John Galligan, Director of Corporate Affairs & Citizenship, Microsoft Australia

Here’s a home truth, my only real education – or teacher who I actually ever listen to – is your interviews on Qantas. So thank you with sincere respect.

Sean Ashby, Co-Founder, AussieBum

Peter did a wonderful job on the night; keeping the program moving, working around changes to the run sheet, and ensuring each award recipient, and our sponsors, were made to feel welcome and important. The feedback received from those attending has all been extremely positive.

Peter Mace, General Manager NSW, Australian Institute of Export

Peter, We would like to congratulate you for performing your master of ceremonies role in such a professional, entertaining and informative manner. We were impressed by your ability to tease out each winner’s story so that the audience gained maximum benefit from their collective business experiences.

Greg Evans and Nicolle Flint, Directors, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Hi Peter, I listened to you speak this morning and thought you were amazing. I am an accountant and in risk management and have never thought about doing a SWOT on myself – thanks for the tip!

Serife Ibrahim, Stockland Corporation Ltd

Dear Peter, Thank you for your valuable contribution to this year’s forum. Ninety-two per cent of delegates rated your presentation highly, commenting on its useful and topical content.

Catherine Batch, Head of Marketing and Communications, Indue

Peter has facilitated our CEO and CFO symposiums over the last three years. A true professional, he takes away the stresses of hosting and organising an event.

Justine Goss, Strategy Group

Craig James is CommSec’s Chief Economist.

He became chief economist of Colonial Group in September 1987, before becoming chief economist at CommSec in August 2000 with the Commonwealth takeover of Colonial.

CommSec economic reports are a bit different in that they devise tools such as the ‘Mums and Dads’ share index and the iPod index, and undertake research on the weather and demographic changes to show how they affect the economy.

Craig currently does around 2-3 regular TV crosses a day, ad hoc radio and newspaper interviews and writes regular commentaries as well as presenting to staff, clients and external organisations.

John McGrath is considered one of the most influential figures in the Australian property industry. As Chief Executive of McGrath Estate Agents, he took the company from a start-up in 1988 to one of Australia's most successful residential real estate groups, selling $5.7 billion in residential property in Sydney in FY11.

A total solution company, McGrath Estate Agents currently has offices located throughout Sydney, the Central and North Coasts, Southern Highlands, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Gungahlin (ACT) and the Gold Coast (QLD), as part of its growing franchise network.

In October 2008, he was honoured by the Real Estate Institute of NSW with the Woodrow Weight OBE Award, a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to the real estate industry.

John himself has become a spokesperson for the industry both in Australia and internationally. John has five books that have reached bestseller status including “You Don’t Have To Be Born Brilliant” and “You Inc.”. In “The Ultimate Guide to Real Estate”, John shares with the reader his invaluable knowledge on the Australian property market.

www.johnmcgrathblog.com.au

Shane Oliver is head of investment strategy at chief economist at AMP Capital.

Simon is 48 years of age and has been in the Investment world almost all his life.

Simon is a Partner at the Newport Office of ABN AMRO Morgans Australia, after having spent almost 2 decades learning his trade in the heart of Stockbroking in Collins Street Melbourne at various firms.

Simon is fanatical about the way that technology and the Internet is altering the Investment landscape around the globe and focuses much of his outlook on how these profound changes will affect the outcomes and futures of investors everywhere.

Jason is the Chief Executive Officer of Centuria Property Funds and a Director of the ASX listed Centuria Capital Limited.

In his role Jason is responsible for providing strategic leadership and ensuring the effective operation of Centuria’s property portfolio. Centuria Property Funds has over $1.1 billion of assets under management including 50 properties located throughout Australia. Centuria Property Funds is wholly owned subsidiary of Centuria Capital which is an ASX listed diversified funds manager with over $2 billion of assets under management.

He joined Centuria (formerly Century Funds Management Limited) upon its formation in 1999. In July 2006 Century was acquired by the Over Fifty Group and he was appointed General Manager, Property. Jason has been involved in investment property funds in Australia since 1996 and he has developed considerable expertise in investment property selection, fund feasibility and funds management.

Jason is Vice President of the Property Funds Association of Australia (PFA) and sits on the National Executive Committee. PFA is the peak industry body representing the $32 billion direct property investment industry.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Commercial Law).

Sinclair Taylor is Westpac’s Head of Self Managed Super Funds customer strategy, responsible for leading Westpac's growth in this highly affluent market. He also leads Westpac's Many Rivers microfinance program, providing unsecured micro loans to disadvantaged Australians wishing to start an enterprise.

With a background in law and banking, Sinclair has been a Senior Relationship Manager in Westpac's Commercial Bank and Corporate Business Group, managing a range of business customers, and has spent time working in Westpac's in-house legal team. Prior to joining Westpac, Sinclair ran a successful entrepreneurial SME business.

Heidi Armstrong is the co-founder and Director of Operations for State Custodians Mortgage Company. Since founding the Company in 2006, State Custodians has grown to become one of Australia’s most respected non-bank lenders. Heidi holds a Law Degree, a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management. An expert in credit policy and the mortgage industry, Heidi is passionate about sharing her invaluable knowledge to educate borrowers.

Widely recognised and respected by industry peers, Heidi was a finalist in the 2012 Australian Lending Awards for the Best Thought Leader. Moreover her Company, State Custodians, has received numerous awards. For six years running State Custodians has maintained a ‘5 Star’ CANSTAR rating on four of its main loans and most recently was awarded the 2012 Mortgage of the Year by Your Mortgage Magazine. The Company also won “Non-Bank Lender of the Year” in 2011 and 2012 by both Money Magazine and Your Mortgage Magazine.