15 Minutes with the Boss Why the Cbus CEO says 45 minutes is too long for a meeting
Oct 27, 2025
Kristian Fok, the CEO of Cbus, leads Australia's $105 billion superannuation fund with a unique perspective shaped by his actuarial background. He discusses the challenges of navigating crises, like delayed insurance payments, and how these moments reveal the double-edged sword of leadership. Kristian emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking in decision-making and shares insights on the best growth sectors today, including AI and biotech. He also reflects on the difficulties of making tough people decisions, revealing the emotional weight behind leadership.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Actuary To Lifetime In Super
- Kristian fell into superannuation via actuarial studies and an early holiday job in corporate super.
- That start kept him in the sector for his whole career, moving into investments and leadership roles.
Ask For More When Opportunity Appears
- Kristian described being asked to join a new asset consulting business and asking to be part-owner.
- He learned to put himself forward and seize uncertain opportunities despite the heavy workload.
AI Meets Biotech As A Growth Frontier
- Kristian sees AI and biotech as major growth areas, especially where AI accelerates protein design.
- He finds the intersection of AI and biotech particularly exciting for real-world problem solving.