In light of recent efforts to boost capital markets activity and attract high-growth companies to list locally, significant IPO reforms have been introduced in 2025. Gain insights into ASIC’s new fast-track IPO regime and recent amendments to ASX Guidance Note 1, with a focus on how these changes impact the listing process. Understand the practical implications for early-stage technology, including timing, disclosure, and regulatory engagement. Explore the broader context of these reforms and assess their potential to reshape the IPO landscape.

Presenters

Nicole Pedler, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Nicole is a corporate partner who specialises in public and private mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets transactions. She uses her flexible skillset to help clients structure, negotiate and execute complex and innovative corporate transactions, which often have significant cross-border elements. Recent examples in the last 12 months include advising Ramsay Health Care, Brookfield, Capgemini, CBA, IFM Investors, Link Group, Reckon and TAL Dai-ichi Life Australia. Having lived and studied in Japan, she has also worked with Japanese trading houses and corporations throughout her career. Nicole is recognised in the most recent edition of Best Lawyers and in 2021 was named Partner of the Year – BigLaw by the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards.

Kate Naude, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery
Kate is an experienced corporate lawyer with deep expertise in M&A (public and private) and equity capital markets, acting for corporates and private capital clients across the technology, healthcare and energy sectors. She has extensive experience in ECM transactions including IPOs, rights issues, placements and share purchase plans. She also specialises in public and private M&A transactions including takeover bids, schemes of arrangement and private treaty transactions. Kate acts for ASX-listed companies in relation to their corporate transactions and also acts for private equity and venture capital firms in relation to their Australian investments. She has previously worked for major Australian banks in their in-house M&A legal teams.

Clare Brown, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery
Clare specialises in corporate and securities law, with a particular focus on equity capital markets, venture capital and M&A. She has experience in cross-border and domestic corporate transactions including advising on equity fundraisings, private financing and investment transactions, regulated and private M&A, joint ventures, and securities regulatory and ASX compliance issues. Clare also advises on corporate governance matters and employee equity schemes. She regularly acts for companies and investors in the healthcare, medical device and biotechnology sector, as well as the technology industry more broadly. Clare also regularly represents early and growth stage companies and the venture capital firms that invest in them. Clare has significant experience advising US clients doing business in Australia and Australian clients doing business in the US, including having acted for a number of US companies listed on ASX.