Brett Cunningham

Experience

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  Medical Defence Association of Victoria

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2003

  AFSL Project Compliance Manager

  Successfully managed AFSL licensing compliance during a critical project phase.

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  IAG

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2010

  Risk and Compliance Manager

  Oversaw risk and compliance operations, contributing to a culture of integrity and accountability across multiple business units.

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  Origin Energy

  Aug 2010 - Apr 2015

  Risk and Assurance Manager

  Purpose StatementDirected the risk and assurance agenda for Origin Energy’s Energy Markets business, enhancing enterprise-wide risk visibility and maturity.Achievements• Partnered with business leaders to develop and present risk profiles to the Risk Management Committee, influencing strategic risk appetite decisions.• Facilitated cross-functional scenario planning and risk assessments, contributing to improved budget planning and strategic initiatives.• Designed and launched a first-line assurance framework that improved control governance and enhanced alignment with regulatory requirements.• Led and mentored Business Partners, driving a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, resulting in stronger team performance and internal audit outcomes.• Played a key role in the development and scenario testing of Origin’s Crisis Management Plan, strengthening business continuity resilience.• Provided expert risk and assurance guidance to the Compliance Advisory function, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Show less

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  Telstra

  May 2015 - Aug 2016

  Risk and Assurance Leader - Telstra Retail

  Purpose StatementDesigned and implemented an integrated control assurance framework, bolstering governance, internal controls, and compliance across Telstra Retail.Achievements• Facilitated comprehensive risk maturity assessments, driving alignment with Telstra Retail’s business strategy and improving control environment confidence.• Coached and developed a team of Risk Analysts, enhancing delivery capabilities and achieving high-performing team metrics.• Fostered a culture of risk awareness through targeted workshops and risk forums, embedding best practices into everyday operations.• Assessed internal controls to leading to a reduction in internal audit findings and regulatory breaches.• Delivered high-impact assurance reports to senior leadership, supporting informed decision-making and improving Telstra Retail’s overall risk posture. Show less

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  EnergyAustralia

  Aug 2016 - Feb 2025

  Head of Enterprise Risk and Assurance

  Purpose StatementLed EnergyAustralia’s shift toward a more mature, integrated risk management framework, delivering pragmatic, commercially relevant insights and solutions.Achievements• Prepared and presented comprehensive risk management and assurance insights to key governing bodies, at Executive and Board level.• Received commendation from the Audit and Risk Committee for high-quality reporting and actionable insights.• Strengthened financial control effectiveness by implementing a robust Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) assurance program, reducing control failures and audit exceptions.• Drove the evolution of risk culture and appetite, fostering ethical and commercially sound business practices.• Led a high-performing team of risk and assurance professionals, achieving company top quartile employee engagement scores and fostering a proactive risk culture.• Cultivated strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including external auditors and EnergyAustralia’s parent company, China Light and Power (CLP) in Hong Kong to enable trusting and collaborative outcomes.• Wrote and championed the Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Plan for EnergyAustralia's inaugural Security of Critical Infrastructure (SoCI) submission.• Successfully incorporated climate change risks in line with TCFD and ASRS, ensuring compliance with disclosure requirements.• Identified and evaluated key material and emerging risks in a complex, rapidly changing industry regulatory environment.• Enhanced operational resilience by sourcing and implementing an enterprise-wide risk management system, improving real-time risk insights and data use.• Delivered tailored risk insights to influence corporate insurance profiles, securing optimal coverage and reducing exposure to key financial risks. Show less