On Wednesday 30 July, Bennett was delighted to host our second Bennett Briefing of 2025, featuring a conversation between Brian Smith, leading risk specialist, and Thaw Thaw Htin, Principal.
Held at Bennett, this exclusive evening brought together clients, colleagues and key industry leaders to explore the evolving risk landscape: highlighting the impact of artificial intelligence, the realities of cyber crisis response and the broader implications of emerging technologies and data sovereignty.
Brian Smith drew on his extensive leadership experience across defence, diplomacy and the private sector to share a compelling perspective on how organisations can build resilience in uncertain times. From his time as Woodside Energy’s inaugural Chief Information Security Officer to leading a successful cybersecurity start-up, Brian provided practical insights into navigating technological disruption and managing modern risk.
The discussion, led by Thaw Thaw Htin, unpacked the legal, regulatory and ethical considerations now facing boards and executives, particularly considering increasing scrutiny by regulators such as ASIC and the growing complexity of compliance in the digital age.
Following the discussion, guests enjoyed refreshments and continued the conversation with Brian, Thaw Thaw and members of our Bennett team.
We thank everyone who joined us and look forward to welcoming you to our next Bennett Briefing.
To learn more on previous Bennett Briefing events, visit our most recent events here:
Bennett Briefing: Investigating the Secret Stories of Illicit Money
Principal Thaw Thaw Htin hosts Bennett Briefings Regulatory Round Up
Speakers
Thaw Thaw Htin – Principal, Bennett Litigation and Commercial Law
Thaw Thaw brings over two decades of litigation experience and deep insight into financial services regulation. A former senior lawyer at ASIC, she now advises clients across sectors including automotive, mining and professional services, with a strong focus on commercial disputes and regulatory investigations.
Brian Smith – Risk Specialist
A former defence and diplomatic leader turned tech founder, Brian has built a career at the intersection of national security, cybersecurity, and innovation. With experience spanning homeland security and the C-suite, he now works on AI-related ventures and advises organisations on cyber preparedness and complex risk navigation.
Disclaimer: The information published in this article is of a general nature and should not be construed as legal advice. Whilst we aim to provide timely, relevant and accurate information, the law may change and circumstances may differ. You should not therefore act in reliance on it without first obtaining specific legal advice.
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