Scott Farquhar, Australian businessman and former CEO of Atlassian, is set to headline the Forbes Australia 2025 Business Summit.
The flagship summit, announced by Forbes Australia, will be held on 13 November at Ilumina, Sydney.
This year’s theme, “Break Through: Game Changing Business Conversations,” sets the stage for a day focused on overcoming barriers and challenging convention to shape the future of Australian business.
Heidi de Boer, Group Head of Marketing at Forbes Australia, said the theme encourages leaders to act with purpose.
“Our theme, ‘Break Through’, is an invitation to business owners and decision-makers to look beyond the status quo and take fresh action on what matters next,”
Presented by Salesforce, the summit will feature a diverse range of business leaders, founders, and investors exploring the evolving business agenda. Farquhar will be joined by a prominent lineup including Bruna Papandrea (Made Up Stories), Laura Henshaw (Kic), Ben Thompson (Employment Hero), Steve Baxter (Beaten Zone Venture Partners), Daniel Petre (Airtree Ventures), and Nick Mowbray (ZURU).
Other confirmed speakers include Dr Mary Manning from the National Reconstruction Fund, Robin Khuda of AirTrunk, and Sarah Walsh, COO of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
The program will also explore new frontiers in medtech, defence tech, and AI-led leadership, alongside discussions on building company value, navigating market shifts, and translating culture into business growth.
“The Summit is more than an event. It is a high-impact community” de Boer added.
More Than an Event
Sarah O’Carroll, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Australia, said the summit creates a space for impactful conversations that drive innovation.
“At Forbes Australia, our mission is to shine a light on the people and ideas shaping the future of business,” O’Carroll said.
“The Business Summit brings those stories to life on stage, creating a space where leaders can share lessons, challenge perspectives, and spark the conversations that move Australia forward.”
Moderators for the event include Sean Aylmer (Fear & Greed), Scott Bidmead (TV Host and Wellbeing Expert), Jacqui Duncan (Stone & Chalk), Shivaune Field (Forbes Australia), and Mark Whittaker (Forbes Australia).