The Business of Law
Meet Our Auckland Speakers
Fresh perspectives and practical insights
The Business of Law brings together experienced leaders from technology, professional services, corporate business and business transformation to challenge conventional thinking about how law firms operate.
Our speakers have led organisations, delivered major transformation programmes, introduced new technologies and developed strategies to improve growth, profitability and performance.
Rather than focusing on the practice of law, they will share perspectives from the wider business world, exploring what law firms can learn from other industries and how those lessons can be applied in practice.
Helping law firms build stronger, more efficient and more profitable businesses.
The People Behind the Conversation
Each of our speakers brings a distinct perspective to the challenges facing law firms today.
From the practical application of AI and technology to rethinking pricing, improving commercial performance and leading organisational change, their experience extends well beyond the legal profession.
Meet the people who will be sharing their insights and challenging the way we think about the business of law.
Julian Lonsdale
Head of Digital, Data and AI, Craigs Investment Partners
David Wybourne
Chief Executive, Wycane
Jonathan Sharrock
Founder and CEO, Cyber Citadel
Julian Lonsdale
Head of Digital, Data and AI, at Craigs Investment Partners | Former Chief Technology Officer, WEL Networks
Julian is an experienced senior technology and business transformation executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across financial services, telecommunications, energy, entertainment and international technology businesses.
Currently Head of Digital, Data and AI at Craigs Investment Partners, Julian leads the firm's AI and digital strategy, data initiatives and implementation through its architecture and development functions.
His career includes Chief Technology Officer at WEL Networks, senior technology leadership at SkyCity Entertainment Group, and Head of Business Design and Change at Spark, where he led an 85-person function responsible for business architecture, project delivery, change management and operating model transformation.
Previously IBM New Zealand's Chief Technologist, Julian also worked on major international transformation programmes in India.
Julian brings extensive experience in redesigning business operating models, leading organisational change and using technology, data and AI to improve efficiency and commercial performance. His perspective will be particularly valuable to law firms considering how to structure their businesses and invest in technology for the future.
David Wybourne
Chief Executive Officer, Wycane Ltd
David brings international experience in business growth, private equity turnaround and transformation, including delivering solutions for FTSE 100 companies. More recently, he has led strategic reviews and transformation programmes for some of New Zealand's leading law firms, supported by Wycane's research involving more than 70 firms and 500 partners/lawyers across NZ.
Jonathan Sharrock
Founder and CEO, Cyber Citadel
Jonathan is a cybersecurity specialist and technology entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience in the technology industry. He has worked with organisations across New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
As founder and CEO of Cyber Citadel, Jonathan leads an independent cybersecurity consultancy and runs a 24/7 security monitoring operation. Under his leadership, Cyber Citadel has built its own products for automated and AI-driven security testing. These products level the playing field, giving small and mid-sized organisations the kind of continuous protection that was once available only to large enterprises with dedicated security teams.
Earlier in his career, Jonathan held senior consulting roles with international technology and network providers. He also founded and built a technology business in Hong Kong serving clients in the banking, telecommunications, energy and logistics sectors. Working in these regulated, high-consequence industries shaped his focus on governance, accountability and practical risk management.
Jonathan works with boards, executives and their advisers to translate technical findings into clear, evidence-based assessments of risk. His experience is directly relevant to legal teams dealing with cyber incident response, privacy and regulatory obligations, technology due diligence, and the protection of client data. He also brings a practical business perspective on how AI and accessible technology can improve productivity, reduce costs and transform business operations.
Continue the Conversation Over Dinner
Following the event, a limited number of guests will have the opportunity to join the speakers and business leaders for dinner.
An informal opportunity to explore the evening's discussions further, exchange ideas and connect with leaders from law and other industries.
Reserve Your Place
Designed for managing partners, equity partners, CEOs and senior law firm leaders.
Places are limited to encourage meaningful discussion.
Thursday 29th October
5pm - 7pm
Vivace Restaurant at DeBretts
