Merriden Varrall

Merriden is a geopolitical strategist and business advisor with nearly three decades of experience across government, international organisations, think tanks, and the private sector. She combines deep geopolitical expertise with genuine business acumen and strategic planning capability, translating global complexity into practical decisions: sharper strategy, better-informed investment and operational choices, and decision-making processes robust enough to hold up in an uncertain world.

Merriden is a sought-after analyst and advisor on East Asia, China's foreign policy, and Australia's bilateral relationship with China. Merriden led KPMG Australia's Geopolitics practice for 8 years, providing businesses with innovative thought leadership and strategic insights. From 2014 to 2018, she was Director of the East Asia Program at the Lowy Institute. Prior to that, Merriden served as a diplomat at the United Nations Development Programme in China, where she focused on China's international development cooperation policy. She has also worked for the Australian Government, including the Australian Treasury and the Department of Family and Community Services.