The Geopolitics of Infrastructure (KPMG)
As global competition and mistrust grow, infrastructure is increasingly governed through a national security lens, creating new forms of risk and strategic exposure for Australian businesses (KPMG report, Merriden Varrall principal author).
Cars and Geopolitics: what the world means for Australian auto dealers
To say things are changing quickly for the Australian auto industry is an understatement. Many of these head-spinning shifts are being driven by increasing geopolitical volatility.
Top Risks to Australian Business 2024-25 (KPMG)
We wrote this report, the second in our KPMG Top Geopolitical Risks series, to highlight that risk isn't about discrete disconnected shocks, it's interconnected. Looking at risk scenarios tells us more about where we're vulnerable, and how we can be better prepared for the future. (KPMG report, Merriden Varrall principal author).
Iran, markets, and meaning: separating signal from noise
The US–Israeli strikes on Iran have generated a flood of information for business leaders to absorb. Oil prices have moved sharply.
Populism, and why it matters to Australian business
Populism is reshaping the global business environment and Australian companies can’t afford to ignore it.
Geopolitics and Family Offices: vulnerabilities and actions
Across recent global surveys, family offices consistently rank geopolitics among their most significant risks, particularly over the medium term. What matters now is how this growing geopolitical volatility actually manifests for mid-size family offices, and what they choose to do to manage risk and build resilience.
2027 or not 2027, that is the (my) question
It seems to be that there are two parts to the conclusion that China is preparing to invade Taiwan in 2027, neither of which are a Xi Jinping directive.
AICD Boardroom Confidential
Now more than ever, geopolitics is shaping organisational planning, investment and risk management. In this discussion, Merriden breaks down what the present and future ‘polycrisis’ world means for directors, and highlights the global megatrends reshaping board agendas.
Populism and business - with Evan Lucas
In this episode of Exchanges with Evan Lucas, we unpack how populism’s anti-establishment sentiment and ‘us versus them’ mentality are driving a new wave of protectionism, reshaping global politics and economic policy.
Navigating populism: Strategic imperatives for Australian business
This report I authored for KPMG on 'Global populism and Australian business – shifts and implications' provides business leaders with a clear understanding of how populism is influencing global markets and institutions, and what strategic actions they can take to stay resilient and competitive. The report offers strategic guidance for business leaders navigating political volatility and global disruption. (KPMG report, Merriden Varrall principall author.)
The geopolitics of climate change
The geopolitical implications of climate change and our unpreparedness for the disruption it will bring.
Leading Through Fog: Trust, Truth, and the Role of Business in 2025
One of the key geopolitical themes we identify is the rise in mistrust of political institutions and the status quo around the world, and why that matters to Australian business (spoiler alert: it really does).
Back to the Future, in Reverse? Trump’s ‘Reverse Kissinger’ Play
You may have heard recently that Donald Trump is attempting a “Reverse Kissinger”, but what exactly does that mean?
Geopolitical disruption: the new state of play for Australian retail
Increased competition and mistrust between countries means that the ‘new normal’ for Australian retailers is a highly volatile business environment.
Chinese worldviews and China’s foreign policy
To gain a more nuanced understanding of what is motivating Chinese behaviour on the world stage, this analysis examines the narratives that underpin Chinese worldviews and China’s foreign policy behaviour.
The Geopolitics of Oil and Gas (KPMG)
The transition from oil and gas to renewables creates challenges for Australian companies, as do the geopolitical impacts that will flow from the transition. (KPMG report, Merriden Varrall co-authored).