Newcastle Branch | Annual Conference

IRS Newcastle Branch

Annual Conference

Date: Friday 24 October 2025

Time: 8.30am - 4.00pm

Venue: Customs House, Newcastle

The Road to 2030: IR in the age of AI, Climate Change, and Economic Uncertainty

INTRODUCING OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Michael McQueen, Futurist

Michael McQueen understands what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Recently ranked #12 among the world’s top futurists, Michael is widely recognized for having his finger on the pulse of change, helping clients ranging from Google to Toyota and Mastercard navigate uncertainty and stay ahead of the curve.

A bestselling author of 10 books, Michael’s latest release was named by Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant as one of the top five must-read new leadership books. He is a sought-after media commentator, with his insights regularly featured in Forbes, The Guardian, and CNN.

Having presented to over 500,000 people across five continents since 2004, Michael is a familiar face on the international conference circuit, sharing the stage with Bill Gates, Mel Robbins, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Formerly named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year, Michael has also been inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.

Ali Kimmorley, Director of peoplefusion

Ali has worked within the recruitment industry since 2001. Known for her ambition and natural ability to create connections, Ali greatly contributes to the success and history of the business, standing alongside life-long friend and colleague, Sally Bartley, in bringing peoplefusion to life since its inception in 2007.

As a well-respected and accomplished Recruiter, Ali is an Accredited Professional Recruiter, a member of the industry body RCSA, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Ali has built entire divisional teams and supported the growth of organisations through the recruitment of highly specialised roles. Her success stems from an inquisitive nature and a genuine desire to understand both the organisation and the greater impact of the role being recruited. Ali prides herself on her ability to drive progressive and contemporary practices throughout businesses across the region.

Ali demonstrates a passion like no other when it comes to delivering for clients, candidates, and communities, showing ongoing support by actively balancing partnerships with both business and community across the Newcastle & Hunter Valley Regions.

Ali is deeply committed to actively supporting children’s charities, notably Camp Quality and Harry’s House, both of which sit very close to her heart. Ali loves to get into nature and take on physical challenges to support these charities having conquered the Kokoda Track twice, trekking Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, the Sandakan Death Marches in Borneo, and crossed the Simpson Desert on foot! 

Mayor Adam Shultz, Lake Macquarie City Council

Mayor Shultz has served as a Labor Councillor on Lake Macquarie City Council since 2016 and previously as Deputy Mayor of Lake Macquarie.

Born and bred local, having grown up in Warners Bay, he knows firsthand the issues families are facing and what they need from their council.

Mayor Shultz is serving in his third term on Council and will use his experience in financial services, small business, public policy, politics, and as a local father to advocate for improved opportunities for the city.

He is well qualified to serve as Mayor, having attended public schools throughout Lake Macquarie before completing his tertiary education at the University of Newcastle with degrees in Business and Commerce and a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Sydney. Mayor Shultz has also attained a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management, a Diploma of Financial Services and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Ian Crowhurst – Head of Future Capability & Talent, Origin Energy

Ian Crowhurst is a strategic HR leader with over two decades of experience in Learning, Development, and Talent across global and Australian enterprises. As Head of Future Capability & Talent at Origin Energy, Ian leads enterprise-wide initiatives that align people capability with strategic imperatives, enabling the organisation’s transition to net zero through innovative clean energy solutions and customer-centric transformation.

A Fellow of both the Australian HR Institute and the Institute for Learning & Performance, Ian is known for his ability to drive measurable outcomes in complex, fast-paced environments. His leadership has been instrumental in delivering award-winning upskilling and re-skilling programs, transforming early careers and cultural learning initiatives, and enhancing learning systems and engagement across Origin’s workforce.

Ian’s career spans senior roles at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Marks & Spencer PLC, where he led large-scale learning transformations across Europe and the UK. His expertise in digital, agile, and data-informed learning ecosystems has consistently delivered scalable, future-ready solutions that support commercial growth and competitive advantage.

Recognised with multiple industry awards—including Learning Solution of the Year (2024) and Best Diversity & Inclusion Learning Initiative (2021)—Ian is a certified psychometrician and a trusted advisor to boards and executive teams. He holds advanced qualifications in HR, leadership, governance, and psychometrics, and continues to shape the future of workforce capability.

More to be announced...

BRONZE SPONSOR

University of Newcastle - Newcastle Business School

Newcastle Business School is the University of Newcastle’s centre for undergraduate, postgraduate, and community business education. Through student-centred, research-driven teaching, the School equips graduates with the skills and attributes to build sustainable, successful careers grounded in life-long learning.

With a curriculum that is international in focus, Newcastle Business School prepares students to critically engage with the global economy and the societies in which they live and work.

For any enquiries, please email newcastle@irsnsw.org.au

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