For the second consecutive year John W.H. Denton AO, Partner and CEO of Australia’s leading independent law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth, has been appointed Co-Chair of the Financing Growth & Infrastructure Taskforce of the B20.
Mr Denton is the only Australian to be part of the leadership team of this important B20 Taskforce.
The B20 represents the entire G20 business community, is the private sector’s voice of the G20 and is included in G20 decision-making processes. Like the G20, the B20 operates without a permanent secretariat and its rotating presidency is responsible for its agenda and organisation.
Last year the B20 was chaired by Germany which invited Mr Denton to co-chair the Financing Growth and Infrastructure Taskforce. This year Argentina has the responsibility and once again Mr Denton was invited to assume the same role with this important taskforce. He is also currently First Vice-Chair of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the largest business organisation in the world, and is the Secretary General-elect of this international body.
Mr Denton will assume his permanent role as ICC Secretary General when he steps down as Corrs CEO in July this year.
B20 Chair Daniel Funes de Rioja, said of Mr Denton’s appointment: “The ICC has always been a strategic partner for the B20. This year it will continue being so, reinforced by the opportunity of having John Denton as one of the members actively involved occupying a Co-Chair role.
“We believe Mr Denton's view and approach to the task force are of the greatest value."
Chairs and Co-Chairs lead the work of taskforces and are responsible for high-level advocacy of recommendations with governments, the global business community, and the public at large.
Through his leadership role with the taskforce Mr Denton will provide recommendations around global business issues, including frameworks for financial systems that are resilient while fostering growth in the real economy, as well as initiatives to help drive global investment and economic growth, improve tax cooperation and foster business development.
“It is an honour to have been asked to be part of this process. The B20 helps set the agenda for globally significant business issues and is a vital voice for the international business community,” Mr Denton said.
“Clients rely heavily on our firm to help guide them through complex issues and the continually changing business and political environments. I intend to utilise this same approach for the business community in my role as Co-Chair of this taskforce.”