Vesna Poljak

Companies Editor at Australian Financial Review

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Articles

Founder empathy is testing the limits of good boards

1 month ago | afr.com | Vesna Poljak

It’s been a bad week for fans of board independence. On Monday, four independent directors quit the WiseTech Global board: Lisa Brock, Michael Malone, Fiona Pak-Poy and chairman Richard Dammery. On Wednesday, the company’s sidelined founder and largest shareholder, billionaire Richard White, consolidated his power by returning as executive chairman. Loading...
Insignia takeover becomes three-way bidding war with Brookfield joining CC, Bain Capital

2 months ago | afr.com | Nicola Blackburn |Vesna Poljak

Brookfield Capital Partners has joined the bidding war for Insignia, the ASX-listed wealth management group behind MLC, matching the $3.1 billion offer in the market from private equity rivals Bain Capital and CC Capital. Brookfield’s bid, at $4.60 a share, also allows for some Insignia shareholders to stay invested in the business by accepting equity in Brookfield’s unlisted vehicle should it succeed in striking a deal with the target.
Bank of Queensland chairman Warwick Negus slams rural branch levy as bad policy

Dec 3, 2024 | afr.com | Vesna Poljak
Proxy adviser Ownership Matters challenges share award for Super Retail boss Anthony Heraghty

Oct 13, 2024 | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz |Vesna Poljak

Proxy adviser Ownership Matters recommended Super Retail Group shareholders vote against a proposal to award its chief executive with performance rights because the conditions linked to their vesting are too easy to meet. Anthony Heraghty is in line to receive 101,066 rights, each equivalent to one share, at the October 24 annual general meeting for the owner of retailer chains Supercheap Auto, Rebel and BCF. Loading... Carrie LaFrenz is a senior journalist covering retail/consumer goods.
Foreign investors want clarity on retooled FIRB

Sep 3, 2024 | afr.com | Vesna Poljak

The Labor government’s revamped Foreign Investment Review Board screening process requires more clarity to help overseas buyers of Australian businesses resolve their confusion around the increased sensitivity of some approvals. Treasurer Jim Chalmers changed the inner workings of FIRB this year to achieve what he described as better economic and national security outcomes.
Sportsbet’s shrunken quarter overshadowed by Flutter upgrade

Aug 14, 2024 | afr.com | Vesna Poljak

Sportsbet parent, the New York and London-listed Flutter Entertainment, expects higher earnings from the country’s largest bookmaker this year despite a torrid quarter during which returns were crunched as customers placed fewer bets on horse racing.
Earnings season will reveal the real inflation picture

Jul 11, 2024 | afr.com | Vesna Poljak

A little bit of inflation is a good thing, just not too much. It’s that simple. We finally have the definitive evidence that US inflation is under control: US CPI is 3 per cent and cooling.
QAN ASX: ASIC sought ACCC’s Qantas timeline after share price tumbled

Jul 9, 2024 | afr.com | Vesna Poljak |Kylar Loussikian

The regulator wrote to the competition watchdog requesting a “a better understanding” of the probe into ticket sales on cancelled flights, emails reveal.
Collapsed fashion brand Dion Lee owes $20m to Levis family’s Cue

Jun 23, 2024 | afr.com | Vesna Poljak |Carrie LaFrenz

Administrators of collapsed Australian apparel business Dion Lee have unearthed a bidder interested in reviving the brand amid revelations the fashion favourite survived off a $20 million loan from backer Cue Clothing in the two years before it folded. One unidentified party has submitted a letter of intent, according to the second creditors’ report prepared by voluntary administrators Antony Resnick and Henry Kwok from dVT Group.
Top Hancock executive Sanjiv Manchanda says Cook’s California dream out of WA’s reach

May 22, 2024 | afr.com | Vesna Poljak

The head of projects at Hancock Prospecting says a plan to make Western Australia the “California of Australia” was riddled with regulatory shortcomings that will hold back the transition to green steel. Sanjiv Manchanda, one of the most senior executives inside Gina Rinehart’s private mining group, said WA Premier Roger Cook’s magnetite gamble was attractive to Hancock but needed fiscal and legislative support to be realised.