WOBSX is working to build new partnerships across the investment, private equity and IPO sectors to create marketplaces for program graduates to connect to potential board and advisory roles.
the IPO Network
The IPO Network is an association of public market specialists that gather around a series of events for the purposes of supporting companies to prepare for an IPO, successfully list their business on an exchange and effectively transition into a publicly listed organisation.
Many of these companies have a need for additional skills on their Boards and are attracted to the pool of talent that is being produced by the WOBSX program.
Participation in IPO network events allows WOBSX graduates access to a regular, repeatable and systemic flow of board roles and the opportunity to develop relationships with professional advisors that influence Boards at the critical IPO stage.
Women are under-represented on IPO boards
Between 2019 and 2022 only 12.2 per cent of IPO board directorships were held by women, increasing only slightly to 13.5 per cent when considering only non-executive directors (NEDs). The top 20 IPOs by capitalisation averaged 16 per cent female directors, higher than the average of 12.2 per cent.
n the overall proportion of women directors between 2020 and 2022 – from 16.1 per cent to 12.4 per cent.
WOB warmly welcomed by Australian Investment Council
13 September 2019
REPORT ON HIGHLIGHTS of the AIC Conference from Trisha Mok, Non Executive Director and WOBSX Participant
It was a big week for WOBSX with 10 of the program graduates invited as guests to the Australian Investment Council Conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (11th & 12th Sept). The WOB members were accompanied by AIC member, Mark Richardson, an experienced chairman & investment management professional who introduced the WOB team to the conference.
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In the investment world of intense competition which I used to be part of it has been wonderful to interact with the attendees on an issue which they all want to resolve - diversity, gender balance (in all forms) and, most importantly for me, access to the input of half the worlds population - ie WOB, " Mark wrote.
Read Mark's biography and those of the other WOBSX Chairs.
Kerry Skellern had this to say about the event:
I had the privilege of joining a group of WOBSX-ers at the recent Australian Investment Conference in Melbourne. My motivation in joining was to learn more about the private equity and venture capital sectors, particularly how best to identify potential Board opportunities. The sessions were wide ranging, from the latest global economic perspectives through to the latest in social media and how to expand your business into China.
We did all have a giggle on the first day when we noticed that the choice of sessions at 530pm was between the women's networking drinks and a panel on the upcoming Rugby World Cup. Many of us joined the Rugby session.
I think the most important learning for me came even before the formal sessions started, in our briefing session with Mark Richardson. Mark made the comment that PE firms will always be looking for sector specific experience for their Boards, to have maximum impact in as short a time as possible - so we should be very targeted in analysing their investments and identifying where our background could add value.
For me, the work starts now - working through the attendee list and beginning a structured follow up process to identify opportunities and continue to build my networks.
I would like to thank WOB, Mark Richardson and Yasser El-Ansary for teaming up to make this fantastic opportunity available to us. I firmly believe this is a collaboration that can have some significant traction into the future.
Enquire / ApPLY
Call Program Director, Dan Liszka on 0413 616 538
Apply here for WOBSX. Please include your CV and relevant information.
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