The 39th Annual Conference of the Banking & Financial Services Law Association (BFSLA) came to a close after being held in beautiful Queenstown, New Zealand (2 – 4 September 2023). Equity Trustees own, James Connell, General Manager, Debt and Securitisation Services and BFSLA President reported one of the most successful conferences with more than 230 registrations.

The theme of the conference this year was ‘Stronger Together’, reflecting delegates from both sides of the Tasman coming together in person the first time since 2019, following the upheaval of the last few pandemic affected years.

A full program provided key industry insights on security, crypto collapses, greenwashing, sustainability linked financing, New Zealand banking regulatory reform to name but a few. The conference featured the Hon. Andrew Bell, Chief Justice of New South Wales as the keynote speaker addressing ‘The corporation in private international law’.

Further judicial case law updates were presented by The Hon. Justice Brigitte Markovic (Federal Court of Australia) and The Hon. Justice David Goddard (Court of Appeal of New Zealand), with both judges in particular providing engaging perspectives on recent PPSA cases.

James Connell stepped down as President of the BFSLA after serving his two-year term after a demanding but successful two years of service to the association. James hands over to his successor, Matt Cunningham, who is a Partner at Minter Ellison in Sydney.

James leaves the BFLSA after delivering a successful conference – the first ‘full fat’ event since 2019, with a robust balance sheet, strong membership and a solid board.

James said: “I’m pleased that the association has come through the challenges posed by covid in one piece and ‘stronger together’.”