arowana understanding cop28 climate finance

In the face of an escalating climate crisis, nations worldwide are struggling to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. Temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent than ever before. The international community is increasingly recognising the importance of concerted efforts to combat climate change.  

At the heart of this global endeavour lies the concept of climate finance—a crucial mechanism designed to provide the financial means for countries to transition towards sustainable, low-carbon development while adapting to the inevitable consequences of a changing climate. 

In this first edition of Understanding COP28, we take a closer look at climate finance. Let’s find out how this financial mechanism can help countries achieve their climate goals. 

What is Climate Finance? 

Climate finance refers to the mobilisation and allocation of funds to support climate-related projects, policies, and initiatives. The scope of these financial resources extends beyond national borders, aiming to address the shared responsibility of all nations in combating climate change. The key principle is to assist developing countries that often lack the financial capacity to independently undertake climate actions. 

The evolution of climate finance can be traced back to the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, which laid the groundwork for international cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, it was the Paris Agreement in 2015 that marked a paradigm shift by emphasising the crucial role of finance in achieving climate goals. The agreement set the ambitious target of mobilising $100 billion annually by 2020 to support developing countries in their climate endeavours. 

Components of Climate Finance 

Mitigation Finance 

Mitigation efforts involve reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and enhancing energy efficiency. Climate finance allocates funds to projects and policies that facilitate these actions, supporting nations in their quest to meet emission reduction targets. 

Adaptation Finance 

Adaptation finance is dedicated to helping countries build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This includes investments in infrastructure, agriculture, water management, and healthcare systems to prepare communities for the inevitable changes in climate patterns. 

Technology Transfer and Capacity Building 

One of the critical challenges for many developing nations is the lack of technological capabilities and expertise needed for effective climate action. Climate finance plays a pivotal role in facilitating the transfer of environmentally sound technologies and building the capacity of nations to implement and manage sustainable initiatives. 

The Role of Developed and Developing Countries 

Historical Responsibility 

A cornerstone of climate finance is the acknowledgment of historical responsibility, recognising that industrialised nations have historically contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries are thus obligated to support developing nations in both mitigating and adapting to climate change through financial assistance. 

NDCs and the Paris Agreement 

Under the Paris Agreement, countries are encouraged to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These are key points that outline each member nation’s climate action plans and commitments. Climate finance becomes instrumental in translating these commitments into tangible actions, especially for developing nations striving to balance economic development with environmental sustainability. 

Challenges to Adopting Climate Finance 

Funding Gaps 

Despite the lofty promises of the Paris Agreement, the actual mobilisation of $100 billion annually has proven challenging. Persistent funding gaps hinder the ability of developing nations to implement comprehensive climate action plans, jeopardising the global effort to limit temperature rise. 

Accountability and Transparency 

Ensuring the transparent and accountable use of climate finance remains a significant challenge. Striking a balance between providing financial support and ensuring that the funds are utilised effectively requires robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms. 

Climate Justice Concerns 

Climate justice advocates argue that the burden of climate change should not fall disproportionately on vulnerable communities, often found in developing nations. Climate finance must address these concerns by prioritising projects that promote equity and inclusivity. 

Examples of Successful Climate Financing 

Renewable Energy Initiatives 

Numerous success stories highlight the positive impact of climate finance. Investments in renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms, have not only reduced emissions but also created jobs and spurred economic growth in many developing countries.  

In Maldives, the World Bank supports the country’s transition to clean energy. The company has also helped mobilise private investments for renewable energy projects. By developing a risk mitigation framework, the World Bank convinced private sector companies to invest in the Maldives’ energy sector.  

The World Bank also helped facilitate Uzbekistan’s clean energy transition by providing USD 380 million in financing. This was combined with the USD 47 million from the Green Climate Fund. Through this support, the country was able to improve its transmission network capacity and integrate renewable energy. 

Resilience-Building Projects 

Adaptation finance has played a crucial role in supporting projects that enhance the resilience of communities to climate impacts. This includes initiatives like building climate-resilient infrastructure and implementing sustainable agriculture practices. 

In Sierra Leone, the Green Climate Fund supports several climate resilience-building initiatives. These include the creation of an efficient Multi-Hazard Impact-based Forecasting and Early Warning and Early Action System. The goal is to help train and better equip local climate agencies so that they can predict and plan for future extreme weather events. 

The Future of Climate Finance 

Strengthening Commitments 

The global community must reinforce its commitment to climate finance, addressing the persistent funding gaps and meeting the targets set by the Paris Agreement. This includes scaling up financial contributions, enhancing international cooperation, and fostering innovative financing mechanisms. 

Integration with Sustainable Development Goals 

The success of climate finance lies in its integration with broader sustainable development goals. By aligning climate action with poverty reduction, gender equality, and social inclusion, nations can build a more resilient and sustainable future. 

Innovations in Financing 

Innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds, climate funds, and public-private partnerships, hold the key to unlocking additional resources for climate action. These mechanisms can attract private sector investments and bridge the funding gaps that hinder progress. 

Creating a Pathway for Achieving Climate Goals 

As the world continues to cope with the effects of climate change, the role of climate finance emerges as a linchpin in the global response. From mitigating emissions to building resilience and fostering sustainable development, climate finance represents a beacon of hope for a future where nations can thrive while safeguarding the planet.  

The challenges are daunting, but the potential for transformative change is within our grasp. It is a collective responsibility—one that demands unwavering commitment, collaboration, and a steadfast belief in the power of finance to shape a more sustainable and resilient world for generations to come. 

Follow Arowana Insights for all the latest on COP 28. 

arowana cop 28

As the world grapples with the growing climate crisis, the urgency to combat climate change has never been more evident. The 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, known as COP28, is taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With this event, the international community is looking to address crucial climate issues and set a new course for global climate action.

In the latest edition of Arowana Insights, we delve into what COP28 is, what we can expect from this landmark event, the key issues to be discussed, and how the outcomes can significantly impact countries and the planet.

Understanding COP28 

COP28 is the latest installment in the series of annual United Nations climate change conferences. These conferences serve as a platform for countries worldwide to come together, discuss climate-related matters, and negotiate international agreements to combat global warming.  

COP28 carries a particular significance, as it marks a crucial checkpoint in the journey towards achieving the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement. As the world faces the consequences of a warming climate, the Dubai conference is set to play a key role in shaping the future.

The Focus of COP28

For COP28, the focus is on raising global ambitions and setting concrete actions to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This goal is in line with the Paris Agreement, which aims to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change. The conference will be a critical juncture for nations to deliver on their climate pledges, further ramp up their climate targets, and reinforce their commitment to sustainable development.

Key Issues to Be Discussed at COP28

Impact on Countries

COP28 outcomes will significantly affect countries around the world. Here's how: 

Hope for a Better Future

COP28 has the potential to define the global trajectory for combatting climate change in the coming years. For attendees in Dubai, the focus will be on reinforcing international cooperation, addressing key climate issues, and taking meaningful action to limit global warming. The decisions that will be made at this conference will shape the future of our planet, influencing the course of climate action and its profound impact on countries and societies worldwide. 
 
The urgency of COP28 cannot be overstated. The world's response to climate change is no longer a matter of choice; it is an imperative. As we look toward the outcomes of this conference, we do so with hope, determination, and the knowledge that international collaboration is the key to addressing one of the greatest challenges humanity faces. 

Follow Arowana Insights for all the latest on COP 28. 

With its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant communities, the Philippines faces a growing crisis that threatens its environment and well-being: plastic waste pollution. In recent years, the archipelago has witnessed a surge in plastic waste, from urban centres to remote beaches.  
 
In this AIC Insight, we'll take a closer look at the magnitude of the Philippines’ plastic waste pollution problem. We’ll explore the different the innovative solutions and strategies that may hold the key to a cleaner, more sustainable future. 

Plastic Pollution in the Philippines: The Alarming Reality 

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The plastic waste crisis in the Philippines has reached a critical point, with numerous challenges and implications. These include: 

The Human Toll of Plastic Waste

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The plastic pollution problem continues to affect communities across the Philippines. People living in vulnerable areas, such as highly urbanised cities and coastal towns, bear most of the brunt. 

Coastal Communities 

Fishing communities face declining catches due to plastic contamination in waters and coastal areas. 

Health Impacts 

Plastic pollution contributes to health issues, particularly among marginalized communities living near polluted areas.

Economic Losses 

Tourism, a vital sector for the Philippines, suffers as pristine beaches are marred by plastic debris. 

Causes and Drivers of Plastic Pollution 

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A multitude of factors drives the plastic waste crisis in the Philippines: 

Innovative Solutions: The Path Forward 

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Addressing the plastic pollution crisis in the Philippines requires a comprehensive strategy. This is where a multi-pronged approach is needed to solve each challenge. 

1. Policy Reforms 

2. Waste Management 

3. Circular Economy 

4. Clean-Up Initiatives 

5. Education and Awareness 

6. Collaboration 

Success Stories and Progress 

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Despite the heavy toll that plastic pollution has brought on Philippine communities, there is still hope for change. Various government and non-government organisations have launched initiatives to clean up existing plastic waste throughout the years.  

There have also been efforts to introduce ways to minimise the Filipinos’ dependence on plastic containers and eliminate the tingi-tingi (micro-retailing) system. 

Investing in a Sustainable Future for the Philippines 

The plastic pollution crisis in the Philippines is a complex challenge that requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders. However, with innovative solutions, policy reforms, and a commitment to sustainable practices, the country can overcome this crisis and build a cleaner, more resilient future. 
 
By embracing a circular economy, redefining consumption patterns, and investing in responsible waste management, the Philippines can transform itself into a model of environmental stewardship. Together, we can work towards a future where the breathtaking beauty of the archipelago is preserved, communities thrive, and marine life flourishes in clean, plastic-free waters. 

The solution to plastic waste lies within our grasp. We just need to embrace these initiatives for the sake of the Philippines as well as the rest of the planet.

For more news & insights, stay tuned to the AIC website.

EDV Social Media City Desktop Training Acquisition 1

Lumify Group’s parent company EdventureCo completes the acquisition of City Desktop Training to expand its offering in Adobe end-user training.

Lumify Group, Australasia’s largest provider of corporate ICT and digital skills training, has completed the acquisition of City Desktop Training, Australia’s leading provider of instructor-led Adobe end-user training.

Established for over 30 years, City Desktop Training is an Australia-based provider of live instructor-led training in Adobe end-user applications, such as Adobe InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Over the past six years, it has provided training to a highly diversified customer base, spanning over 3,000 business and government clients.

City Desktop Training primarily supports individuals and teams focused on graphic design, marketing, communications, and administrative roles.

Acquiring City Desktop Training will broaden the solutions offered by Lumify Group, which now includes Lumify Work Australia (formerly DDLS), Lumify Work Philippines, Lumify Work New Zealand (formerly Auldhouse), Lumify Learn, Lumify People and Nexacu.

Jon Lang, Lumify Group CEO, said, “Since we rebranded from DDLS and Auldhouse to Lumify Work in Australia and New Zealand, we have sought to leverage our strengths and broaden our offering.

“The acquisition of City Desktop Training perfectly complements the group offering; beyond our highly rated instructor-led ICT and cyber security courses, students will benefit from Lumify's state-of-the-art campuses across Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

“We are thrilled to welcome City Desktop Training to the fold, accelerating our expansion in end-user application training and building on the successful acquisition of Nexacu, Australia’s leading provider of Microsoft end-user application training, in October 2022.”

About Lumify Group 

Lumify Group is Australasia’s largest corporate ICT and process training provider and Australasia’s number one cyber security training provider. We partner with world-class companies to help organisations and individuals remain up to date with new processes, technology, and platforms to reduce risk and enable efficient business practices. Lumify promotes a balanced approach to training with a focus on the key areas of Technology, Process, and People. We provide extensive training options tailored to your organisation’s needs – from vendor-certified courses to customised training, including bespoke in-house developed courses.  Visit the website: https://lumifygroup.com

About City Desktop Training

City Desktop Training is Australia’s leading provider of training in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and more. We offer both short courses and custom training for beginners through to advanced users. Courses are conducted live face to face or virtually by experienced and Adobe Certified Instructors. City Desktop Training has venues in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane CBDs. Visit the website: https://www.cd.com.au

VivoPower and Geminum team up to offer holistic, end-to-end fleet electrification and decarbonisation solutions

Geminum specialises in digital twin solutions for corporations seeking to implement decarbonisation solutions in a safe, cost-effective and integrated manner

Geminum leadership team have  20 years of combined digital twin and change management experience, particularly in the mining industry

VivoPower Digital Asset Geminum B

VivoPower is pleased to announce that it has signed a Joint Venture with Geminum, a specialist digital twin technology company founded in Australia, to design, test, and implement digital twins of Tembo electric utility vehicles and ancillary VivoPower sustainable energy solutions (VivoSES).

These digital twins will enable corporations engaging in decarbonisation programmes to optimise total cost of ownership (“TCO”) and capture and synthesise near real-time analytics and carbon abatement data. Geminum, a specialist digital twin technology company, will also provide mining industry expertise to assist Tembo with the development of solutions that better meet the needs of remote owner-operators.

Geminum co-founder and CEO Rob Foster said of the JV Agreement: “We were introduced to VivoPower and Tembo some time ago and were impressed by their dedication to electrification and their genuine desire to create positive change at the ecosystem level. This JV is further recognition that complex system problems like fleet decarbonisation require holistic solutions across people, process, and technology, to help fleet operators make the transition safely and cost-effectively.”

Executive Chairman and CEO of VivoPower, Kevin Chin said: “Digital twin technology will enable our customers and partners to cost-effectively and quickly assess the TCO equation of a decarbonization programme, incorporating fleet electrification solutions. With TCO for decarbonisation, it is not enough to simply consider traditional financial-based metrics, but it is equally important to carefully quantify the carbon emissions consequences as well as the implications for workflow processes and people.  This JV Agreement with Geminum will fortify our VivoSES (sustainable energy solutions) capabilities, especially for the mining sector, and enable our customers, and partners to achieve their decarbonisation goals’.

Visit the VivoPower website for more news & insights.

About Geminum

Geminum is an Australian-based technology company that specialises in the design, development, and implementation of digital twin technology for asset-intensive industries. Geminum develops solutions and provides services to asset owners, service providers, and technology companies that are seeking to create highly integrated and near real-time solutions to improve decision-making. Geminum’s mission is to assist companies who are powering the energy transition to make the transition from rules to prescriptions, by making predictive technologies easy to use and quick to deliver value.

Tech Innovation Awards 2023 was hosted in Dubai, ahead of COP28 later this year

Award follows recent signing of landmark joint venture to electrify jeepneys in the Philippines

Jeepney electrification JV gives Tembo access to total addressable market estimated at US$10bn+ (excluding charging and other ancillary solutions)  with 40 million passenger trips per day and 600,000 driver livelihoods

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Tembo E-LV, a subsidiary of the NASDAQ listed B Corp, VivoPower, is pleased to announce that it has been honoured with the prestigious Electric Vehicle Innovation of the Year Award at the Tech Innovation Awards 2023 event in Dubai.

Hosted by Entrepreneur Middle East, the Tech Innovation Awards recognises the best technological innovations in the Middle East and North Africa region. The prestigious event sees industry leaders come together to celebrate the individuals and enterprises shaping the tech industry's future.

The recognition is a testament to VivoPower and Tembo’s commitment to the United Arab Emirates and broader Gulf Co-Operation Council (GCC) and African regions as important markets for its sustainable energy solutions.

For more news & insights, stay tuned to the Tembo website.

vivopower francisco motors new electric king of the road

Tembo E-LV, a subsidiary of the NASDAQ listed B Corp, VivoPower International, is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive joint venture agreement with Francisco Motor Corporation, the pioneering manufacturers of the iconic jeepneys in the Philippines, which are primarily used for public transportation. Pursuant to the Agreement, Tembo will develop and supply electric utility vehicle (EUV) electrification kits for a new generation of electric jeepneys. Francisco Motors and Tembo have already secured their first orders and have commenced work to deliver on these jeepneys.

One of the Philippines’ cultural icons, jeepneys are the most common utility vehicle in the Philippines and the main mode of public transportation in the country, accounting for just over 40% of public transportation. There are more than 200,000 jeepneys on the road in the Philippines, of which more than 90% are at least 15 years old and running on second-hand diesel engines. In urban areas, jeepneys contribute up to 94% of ultrafine soot particles that are related to adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects, increased cases of asthma, and premature deaths.

In June 2017, the Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), announced its plan to modernise the public transportation industry. Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernisation Program (PUVMP), the DOTr requires that all jeepneys and other Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) with at least 15 years of service be replaced with more energy-efficient and environment-friendly alternatives. The initiative provides jeepney drivers and operators the option of switching to Euro 4-compliant or electric engine vehicles. This creates a US$10bn+ addressable market for the replacement of the old jeepneys. In addition to the potential market for electric vehicles, the conversion of diesel-powered jeepneys to electric can reduce the carbon emissions of jeepney operations in the country. It can also significantly increase jeepney operators’ income by reducing daily fuel/energy costs by up to 80%, saving up to PhP60 billion per year for all the jeepneys operated in the Philippines.

Elmer Francisco, Chairman of Elmer Francisco Motor Corporation, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have signed this landmark deal with Tembo. We have had multiple approaches from various OEMs and electrification partners around the world, but the VivoPower and Tembo teams stood out for their genuine commitment to a purpose beyond solely the profit motive. In addition, we were impressed with the quality of their technical team and experience comprising world-class engineers formerly with the likes of Tesla, Rivian, Toyota, and others. Given the importance of the jeepney sector to the Philippines, the climate, the livelihoods of so many drivers, and the health and well-being of so many Filipinos, we wanted to be very careful and selective of who we partnered with for this iconic mission. We look forward to getting to work immediately given the initial orders we already have and the immediate pipeline of 37,000 jeepneys to be electrified. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Tembo and VivoPower.”

Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are honoured to have signed this exclusive definitive agreement with Francisco Motor Corporation to electrify the jeepneys, a much-loved cultural icon in the Philippines. Francisco Motors are the original pioneers of the jeepney, launching in 1947 post the ending of World War II. We stand in solidarity with Elmer Francisco, Chairman of Francisco Motors, in our shared mission to electrify and rejuvenate the jeepney in a manner that preserves the original design and look, as well as importantly improves the livelihood of the people employed by the jeepney industry.

“In addition, this will contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions in the Philippines, with jeepneys accounting for an estimated 4 million tonnes of CO2 emission per annum, not to mention the very significant addressable market opportunity. As a certified B Corporation, we believe this comprehensively ticks all the boxes of our triple bottom line mantra of people, planet, and profit. Beyond the triple bottom line impact, this development will also bring consequential benefits for Tembo’s EUV programmes for other industries including mining, defence, infrastructure and utilities, conservation parks, and agriculture amongst others. In particular, the transformational economies of scale, buying power, and access to low-cost assembly and manufacturing capabilities will help to further materially reduce the bill of material costs in the future for the benefit of our customers in industries such as mining, and defence.”

To read our full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit our Press Releases page.

About Francisco Motors

Founded in 1947, Francisco Motors is the pioneering creator and manufacturer of the jeepney in the Philippines. Headquartered in Manila in the Philippines, Francisco Motors is leading the transition from manufacturing traditional diesel-powered jeepneys to modern electric jeepneys to help the Philippines in transitioning to cleaner modes of public transportation.

Contact

Shareholder Enquiries

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dirk linkedin

A long-standing tradition of growing people, growing companies, and growing value, Arowana's quarterly Circle of Leadership has evolved into an open space for inspiring teams and orchestrating synergy.

As I'm sitting here pondering the rich history that the Arowana company has gone through since its inception, I cannot help but notice that what we introduced as a corporate heartbeat in 2011 has become essential to the success of growing our people and our company throughout our journey in the past 12 years.

For many companies, the main heartbeat is a yearly performance management system through which managers and staff communicate around objectives and key performance indicators that need to be achieved over the year.

Often, alongside the system sits a yearly get-together at which management converge to look at the year ahead.

With the introduction of the Rockefeller habits in 2011, Arowana decided to make the heartbeat not a yearly, but a quarterly, one. We called the quarterly leadership meeting the Circle Of Leadership (COL).

As a company that is versified across a number of industries, it has been difficult to find common parameters across all its businesses. We have solved that problem by introducing a number of segments into our quarterly COL.

The components I will describe below were not started on Day 1 but have gradually emerged as being the most effective components to keep a diverse group interested, motivated, and challenged, as well as informed and educated.

Synergy Building Blocks

Today every COL has five clear building blocks:

1) Building cultural alignment through consistency

This is the top-down communication of important themes and insights, as well as corporate messages, for the whole group. In this section, a senior member of the management team speaks about Arowana’s purpose, philosophy, values, and characteristics and restatement of the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal – a Jim Collins term).

The topic heading are the same for each quarter, but the accents are slightly different as this segment is introduced by a different member of the senior management team. The constant repetition ensures that no matter who you ask in the organisation, they will give you a similar answer. This segment is followed by a check-in with our 10-year plan and Arowana’s achievements of the quarter past.

2) Learning & Development

The second building block of our COL is made up of a strong Learning & Development component which provides the latest state-of-the-art insights and knowledge. This is covered under four groupings: operational literacy, financial and investment literacy, technological literacy, and the just recently introduced impact and sustainability literacy. The latter further embeds Arowana’s drive as an established B Corp for continual improvement in everything we say and do.

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3) StratEX workshops

This is a quarterly check-in on Strategy & Execution (StratEx) with our portfolio companies. These workshops are based on the Arowana-specific premise that strategy cannot be presented without execution and vice versa.

Each company that lives in the Arowana ecosystem presents a set of OKR (Objectives and Key Results) updates from the past quarter, together with an overview of what went well, as well as a list of obstacles that have been encountered.

Next, each company presents a set of smart numbers which are standardised and normalised, followed by a battle plan for the quarter ahead, which includes a new quarterly theme – alongside a risk-adjusted plan of attack and defence plays. All of this is presented in the context of a five-year moving strategic plan for the business under discussion.

4) Building Rhythm / Cadence

For those who work in the enterprise office, there is an internal StratEx meeting that encompasses an overview of what happened over the past quarter, a look forward in detail of the OKRs of the upcoming quarter as well as a no-nonsense, no-holds barred forum debrief of a number of operations, projects and activities that have been conducted over the past quarter.

All our OKRs are based on the quarterly COL rhythm, with the annual OKRs set at the quarter just before the financial year.

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5) Fostering Connection and Camaraderie

Finally, the most critically important element is the social bonding around the two-day meeting. Since our first COL in September 2011, through to our 33rd in December 2019, we have gathered everybody into one location to enable this social interaction.

As people go in and out of the presentations and workshops, there are many touch points where chatter happens, ideas are exchanged, and business insights and suggestions are discussed across the various Arowana industry representatives present.

Each COL culminates with a group dinner, which is the perfect backdrop that fosters the cross-pollination of teams from different businesses, backgrounds, industries, and seniorities to mingle and exchange thoughts and ideas.

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Sadly, this aspect went missing during the pandemic when we had to pivot to a 100% virtual COL.

Since COVID, the whole corporate world has changed. And, for us, a ‘new normal’ has emerged in which we have the March and September COL online, while the June (think: end-of-financial year) and December COL (think: Christmas party!) are held as hybrids. Each Arowana global region hosts its hybrid part of the global COL.

I will spare you the global event logistical challenges this presents, but our staff are very flexible and understand that, sometimes, they will have to be on calls as early as 6:30 a.m. or as late as 11:00 p.m.

A special shout-out to a few individuals who attend from the US and often are called in to be online throughout the night. Heroes.

What’s next?

On a personal note, I'm honoured to have been involved in all of Arowana's 47 Circles of Leadership over the past 12 years, and it has been a pleasure to have been the conductor behind the scenes of all the various activities, presentations, documents, logistics and marketing activities associated with these.

As I retire from Arowana, it is my personal pride to hand over the role of conducting this process to no other than my son Patrick, who has been working with the organisation for the past 2.5 years and has been my understudy to help run this corporate heartbeat.

I'm convinced that with the help of the senior management team, he will be able to continue the process and keep the concept growing bigger and better as the organisation becomes more global in nature and even more diversified in its corporate membership and participants.

Thank you to Arowana’s founder and CEO and my personal friend Kevin Chin and to all who have been walking alongside me to make the magic of this organisational synergy a reality.

I know the magic of the Arowana Circle of Leadership is not in any of its individual components but is clearly a result of the synergy of all the pieces of the puzzle coming together on a quarterly basis.

I wish you all the best in the next 47 COLs. Thank you and Godspeed!

Lumify Call Out

Lumify Group, the leading provider of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) training in Australasia, has today announced the launch of Lumify Learn (RTO no. 45994). Lumify Learn provides quality, self-paced, vendor-certified and nationally accredited ICT training, leveraging 30 years of experience, skills and knowledge accumulated by the wider Lumify Group as industry leaders.

Bringing a unique offering of nationally accredited qualifications with built-in vendor-certified content (in partnership with the likes of Microsoft, AWS and CompTIA), Lumify Learn tackles the growing problem of skills shortages in Australia’s technology sector. With a recent government-backed survey revealing IT university graduates were the least employable out of 10 sectors surveyed, and nearly one in five IT graduates feel their degree has failed to prepare them for the working world, Lumify Learn’s courses offer students the opportunity to graduate with a vendor-certified qualification and a nationally accredited qualification. This leads to stronger employment outcomes and enables students to secure the right balance of foundational IT skills and the specific vendor-certified competencies that organisations are suffering a shortage of most.

With all courses delivered 100% online, Lumify Learn allows students to study their way, from anywhere, at any time. All students are supported by a team of Australian-based ICT experts currently working in industry, who are available to guide students through the course material. Additional to nationally accredited and vendor-aligned courses, Lumify Learn also offers a series of tailored bootcamps in high-demand skillsets, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, that take students with zero industry experience to employable professionals in as little as 6 months.

Lumify Learn courses are designed for both beginners looking to make an entry into the ICT industry and those looking to advance their careers, and require limited prior knowledge or experience. The business has also announced the launch of its industry-leading program, Lumify Edge, that provides dedicated support and careers advice to help graduates land their first role in the ICT industry. The program also assists Australian tech companies tackle skills shortages by providing them with a fresh source of qualified, industry-ready candidates.

“Just as much as graduates need core foundational skills in the basics of IT, they also need specific vendor-certified competencies in the systems that organisations are using on a daily basis. Increasingly, we are seeing ICT training providers fail to deliver in both of these areas, resulting in graduates with poor employment outcomes and skills shortages that aren’t addressed. Furthermore, the rigid academic structures of traditional TAFE and University courses don’t offer the flexibility that many students need to take the first step into an ICT career. We have launched Lumify Learn to fix this problem, and get qualified, competent IT professionals into the market in a timely fashion, ” said Jon Lang, CEO of Lumify Group.

Lumify Learn is part of the wider Lumify Group, which trains over 30,000 students per year with campuses across Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. Lumify Group also includes Lumify Work, which provides training for government and enterprise customers; Lumify People, a strategic and advisory services provider; and Nexacu, the leading provider of instructor-led Microsoft app training for end-users across APAC. Together, the four business units provide extensive training options tailored to both organisations’ and individuals’ needs – from vendor-certified courses to customised training, including bespoke in-house developed courses.

Investment secured from private investment office backed by member of ruling Al Maktoum family of Dubai

Initial US$2.5m investment with an option to increase up to US$10m in subsequent closings

Investment underscores Tembo’s progress and commitment to the UAE and surrounding markets

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VivoPower is pleased to announce a strategic direct equity investment into its wholly owned subsidiary, Tembo e-LV, at a pre-money valuation of US$120 million.

Underlining its strong commitment to the UAE and the wider Middle East region, Tembo has secured an initial investment commitment of US$2.5 million from a private investment office backed by a member of the ruling Al Maktoum family of Dubai. The investor, under the agreement terms, retains the option to increase its cumulative investment in subsequent closings, up to US$10 million.

Kevin Chin, Chairman and CEO of VivoPower, noted:

“We are very pleased to have secured this strategic direct investment into Tembo, underscoring what has been achieved and executed upon since its acquisition in 2020. This strategic investment comes on the heels of our recently announced strategic collaboration with AL TAIF Technical Services, the UAE’s leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for military equipment. We will continue to deepen our ties with the UAE as we seek to service customers and partners within the local market as well as the surrounding region.”

VivoPower will continue to retain its majority stake in Tembo.

To read the full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit the Press Releases page.

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