
Meet our Keynote Speakers

Shamubeel Eaqub
Chief Economist, Simplicity
Keynote Address | Cities in a Changing World
Friday 4 September | 10:40am - 11:20am
Shamubeel Eaqub makes economics easy and fun. Shamubeel is the Chief Economist at Simplicity. He is also an author, media commentator and a thought leading public speaker.
He graduated with Honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is also a CFA Charterholder.
He has 25 years of experience as an economist in Wellington, Melbourne and Auckland in leading financial institutions and consultancy (ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs JBWere, NZIER, Sense Partners and Simplicity).
He balances a portfolio of economics, consulting, public speaking, governance and family duties. He lives in Auckland with his wife and two sons

Stephen Yarwood
Urban Futurist @ city2050 | Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide
Keynote Address | Looking to the Future
Saturday 5 September | 9:00am - 9:45am
Stephen Yarwood is an internationally recognised urbanist, futurist, and thought leader committed to creating sustainable, liveable, and innovative communities. As the former Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Australia and a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, his dynamic leadership style and forward-thinking policies have placed him at the forefront of urban transformation globally.
With over 30 years of experience, Stephen has delivered strategic foresight across diverse sectors, including city planning, education, health, corporate strategy, governance innovation, infrastructure futures, and smart cities. His consultancy, city2050, offers tailored advice and strategic insights to corporate clients, governments, and organisations, focusing on the transformative impacts of artificial intelligence and the evolving needs of the "citizen of the future."
Stephen’s approach combines cross-disciplinary insights from urban planning, science, art, philosophy, and technology, integrating advanced AI tools into strategic planning and decision-making processes. Known for his engaging style, practical wisdom, and humorous delivery, Stephen effectively translates complex ideas into actionable strategies.
He remains passionately dedicated to empowering leaders and communities to embrace innovation, navigate complexity, and proactively shape their future. Explore Stephen’s work and connect with his expertise at city2050.com.au or via LinkedIn.
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