Governance perspectives on tariffs and geopolitics

Panel Discussion

Speaker(s): Paul Gestro
Date: 7:00am — 9:00am, 2 September 2025
Venue: ASB Regional Centre Wellington
Location: State Insurance Building, Level 20, 1 Willis Street, Wellington 6011
Price members: $0.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $30.00 incl GST

Overview

In an environment where tariff shifts can drive-up input costs, squeeze profit margins and disrupt supply chains, directors need a clear financial playbook.

ASB experts and industry leaders will unpack how evolving trade policies are reshaping inflationary pressures and market access, and will outline banking-sector responses to shifting capital flows and credit risks. 

Senior executives and board members will share real-world case studies in how they are thinking about, preparing for and responding to the volatility the current geo-political and economic environments are creating.  
 
Discussions will centre on: 

the board’s role in shaping geopolitical and tariff-related strategies, including scenario planning
how boards can support and challenge executive management to navigate risks and pursue opportunities in a disrupted economic environment
clarity in delegation and ensuring management accountability for executing agreed strategies
what operational tools are available to mitigate geopolitical risk and how this risk is reported to the board
 effective two-way communication and reporting between boards and management amid economic uncertainty.

 Attendees will gain actionable board and executive-level economic insights, and practical strategies to protect profitability and seize new opportunities in an era of tariff-driven uncertainty. 

This event is brought to you in partnership with IoD National Partner ASB and features a candid panel discussion followed by a Q&A. 

Paul Gestro (Moderator)

Paul joined ASB in early 2020 following three years advising export and import businesses and four years creating and leading the Asia desk for another leading Australasian bank. Over a 30-year career in international business, Paul started and exited a food & fibre export business, represented the New Zealand Government for eight years in Asia and North America as a Trade Commissioner, Regional Investment Director and Consul General and was also General Manager of a global B2C ecommerce business.

With an interest in cross-border finance, Paul developed business cases for foreign acquisitions in Europe, set up the global footprint for an international payments technology company and raised three rounds of capital for two New Zealand businesses. Paul studied international business, agriculture economics, marketing and finance at Massey University, University of Auckland and Harvard Business School and has been an advisor and board member for numerous businesses, not-for-profits and business councils.

More speakers to be announced.

Additional information

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Branch event cancellation policy

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