2010 Media Releases

Both men and women from across the financial services industry gathered at Ivy in Sydney last night for the annual Women in Banking and Finance Forum hosted by Deutsche Bank.

Featuring an impressive panel of speakers, the event built on the success of last year’s inaugural forum and was a record on two fronts with tickets selling out in just a day and a record number of attendees.

Best-selling author and economist Loretta Napoleoni was the keynote speaker in a high-profile panel which included NSW Premier Kristina Kenneally, chief executive officer of Carnival Australia Ann Sherry and journalist and author Mia Freedman. Selected for the tenacity they have demonstrated in their sectors, their careers and their personal lives, the panel participated in a lively discussion on the theme of resilience moderated by ABC radio’s Adam Spencer.

Chum Darvall, chief executive officer of Deutsche Bank Australia, said, “Deutsche Bank approaches diversity from a global context – our Women on Wall Street in New York and Women in European Banking in London events are well-established - and we are delighted to see that this annual forum has grown by almost 50 per cent since our inaugural event last year in partnership with Women in Banking and Finance.”

The event also featured award-winning dancer Amy Hollingsworth in one of her last performances before bringing a close to her illustrious career. Now the new dance director at Sydney Dance Company, Amy endured a slow and painful rehabilitation following breaking her back at 18 years of age.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for Women in Banking and Finance which has grown to comprise 28 corporate member organisations from across the financial services industry. President of Women in Banking and Finance, Melissa Marzulli, said, “In 2000, when the first group of like-minded women first came together, they could only have dreamed about a gathering on this scale. Now, in the 10th anniversary year of Women in Banking and Finance, it’s encouraging to see so many people - male and female - share in the vision of parity for women in the banking and finance workplace.”

For further information, please contact:

Michelle Chaperon +61 2 8258 1311
Camilla Herring +61 2 8258 2731