08:30 - 09:00
ARRIVAL, REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST NETWORKING
09:00 - 09:10
INTRODUCTION FROM THE NETWORK GROUP & CHAIRPERSON
A brief introduction to the event software, SNS – this software, unique to the industry, empowers our attendees to make the most effective use of their time at the event by maximising networking opportunities. The software designs a personalised agenda & enables attendees to arrange One-to-One meetings with each other. This will be followed by a welcome from the chairperson.
Sarah Watson, Director of Finance, Roffey Park
09:10 - 09:40
Navigating Uncertainty: Strengthening Operational Resilience in Finance
- Identifying the biggest operational threats in finance, from cyber risks to supply chain disruptions
- Implementing robust frameworks to ensure business continuity & agility in uncertain times
- Leveraging financial leadership to embed resilience into the corporate strategy
Jonathan Lee, Director of Finance & Investment Operations, Aviva
09:40 - 10:10
Beyond Finance: The Expanding Mandate of the CFO
- Exploring how CFO’s are stepping beyond traditional finance duties to influence broader business strategy
- Developing key partnerships with other departments to ensure a unified approach to growth
- Understanding the role of the CFO in the digital development of an organisation
10:10 - 10:50
Panel Discussion: Maximising Value Through Effective Business Integration
- Ensuring financial strategy fully aligns with business strategy
- Adopting new technologies to streamline processes & enhance cross-functional collaboration
- Using real-time financial insights to drive company-wide transformation
Neil Hitchen, CFO, World Rugby
Michelle Clark, Head of Accounting & Control, Eurostar
Gwynneth Page, Finance Director, Wincanton
Sarah Watson, Director of Finance, Roffey Park
10:50 - 11:00
COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
11:00 - 11:25
Workshop 1
Hosted by Pagero
11:25 - 11:50
Networking
11:50 - 12:15
Workshop 2
Zero Day Close: Harnessing AI for Total Control
Mohammad Matsemela, Solutions Consultant, FloQast
12:15 - 12:40
Networking
12:40 - 13:05
Workshop 3
AI & ML
11:00 – 13:05
One-to-One meetings
Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings:
- Finance Data & Analytics
- AI in Finance Technology & Consulting
- ESG & Sustainability
- Financial & Business Reporting
- ERP
- Finance & Accounting Process Automation
- Risk Management
- FP&A
- Performance Management
- Treasury Management
- HR Systems & Payroll Technology
- Tax Technology & Consulting
- Supply Chain Management & Optimisation
- Travel & Expense Management
- Rebate Management
13:05 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
Stream 1- Growth Opportunities
14:00-14:35
Optimising FP&A for Sustainable Growth
- Enhancing forecasting accuracy with advanced tools
- Aligning FP&A processes with broader business strategy
- Creating flexible financial models that can quickly adapt to changing market conditions
Mark Johnson, Head of Commercial Finance, Browne Jacobson
Stream 2 - Business Partnering
14:00-14:35
The Evolution of Finance Business Partnering
- Learn the benefits of adopting finance business partnering approach
- Best practices for finance professionals to partner with various business units
- How to create and maintain good business partnering across the wider organisation
Anna Fastishevskaya, Finance Director, Eaton
Stream 1 - Tax Strategy
14:35-15:10
Transfer Pricing: Concepts, Challenges & Compliance
- Understanding intra-group transactions & the role of pricing
- Exploring issues like method selection & data limitations
- Navigating OECD guidelines & compliance challenges
Betty Fualefac, Head of Transfer Pricing & Reporting, Tullow Oil
Stream 2 - Personal Development
14:35-15:10
Finance Leaders: Positioning Yourself for the Role You Want
- Unpacking your purpose as a leader; knowing & showing who you are
- Understanding the difference only you can make, combining purpose with technical skills
- Collaborating for change & finding opportunities to build the world you want to be a part of
Sarah Watson, Director of Finance, Roffey Park
15:10 - 15:25
COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
15:25 - 15:50
Workshop 4
Survival of the smartest: How the right approach to tech can radically transform the finance function beyond 2025
Hosted by Yokoy
15:50 - 16:15
Networking
16:15 - 16:40
Workshop 5
The Value of Cost Optimisation for CFOs
16:40 - 17:05
Networking
15:25 – 17:05
One-to-One meetings
Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings:
- Finance Data & Analytics
- AI in Finance Technology & Consulting
- ESG & Sustainability
- Financial & Business Reporting
- ERP
- Finance & Accounting Process Automation
- Risk Management
- FP&A
- Performance Management
- Treasury Management
- HR Systems & Payroll Technology
- Tax Technology & Consulting
- Supply Chain Management & Optimisation
- Travel & Expense Management
- Rebate Management
17:05 - 17:50
Panel Discussion: Leveraging Data Metrics & Analytics for Financial Decision-Making
- Utilising advanced analytics that deliver clear strategic insights to drive decision-making
- Enhancing financial forecasting & optimising budget with data metrics
- Implementing real-time analytics tools to enable agile financial decision-making & respond quickly to market changes & emerging trends
Rudmila Azad, Head of Finance & Commercial, UK Trade Remedies Authority
Mark Johnson, Head of Commercial Finance, Browne Jacobson
Mehtab Khalid, Finance Director, Mitie
Abby Obomighie, CFO, Honeywell
17:50 - 17:55
Chairperson’s closing remarks
A short reflection on today’s discussions, & thank you to our audience & speakers.
19:00
Networking dinner & drinks reception
08:30 - 09:00
MORNING REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
Informal networking over breakfast.
09:00 - 10:10
Roundtable discussions
Join group discussions with your peers on some of the most challenging & significant finance topics — please confirm attendance prior to the session. Each host will facilitate the discussion & give a short presentation of key findings in a wrap-up session.
Roundtable 1: ESG
Mehtab Khalid, Finance Director, Mitie
Roundtable 2: Women in Finance
Hannah Chambers, Finance Director, Treasury Wine Estates
Roundtable 3: Strategic Leadership
Ashish Sharma, Head of Finance, Casio UK
Roundtable 4: Finance Business Partnering
Louise Sargeant, CFO, Cranfield University
Roundtable 5: Revenue Management
Carl Dawson, Head of Finance, Natures Way Foods
Roundtable 6: Auditing & Tax
Ahmad Ali, Head of Strategic Reporting & Technical Accounting, Three
Roundtable 7: FP&A
Caroline Shoesmith, Senior Director FP&A, Paramount
10:10 - 10:50
ROUNDTABLE WRAP-UP
Each host gives a short overview of key findings from their discussion & creates an ideas board to be distributed post event with the presentations.
10:50 - 11:00
COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
11:00 - 11:25
Workshop 6
Data Integration
11:25 - 11:50
Networking
11:50 - 12:15
Workshop 7
Financial Planning
12:15 - 12:40
Networking
12:40 - 13:05
Workshop 8
Improving Cash Flow
11:00 – 13:05
One-to-One meetings
Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings:
- Finance Data & Analytics
- AI in Finance Technology & Consulting
- ESG & Sustainability
- Financial & Business Reporting
- ERP
- Finance & Accounting Process Automation
- Risk Management
- FP&A
- Performance Management
- Treasury Management
- HR Systems & Payroll Technology
- Tax Technology & Consulting
- Supply Chain Management & Optimisation
- Travel & Expense Management
- Rebate Management
13:05 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
Stream 1 - Change Management
14:00-14:35
Crafting Impactful Narratives for Boardroom Decision-Making
- Transforming complex data into a clear & compelling narrative
- Understanding why storytelling matters in finance
- Choosing the right visuals to convey your message
- Highlighting the action that should be taken from your insights & analysis
Ian Pitts, Head of Finance, Sovereign Network Group
Stream 2 - Financial Strategy
14:00-14:35
Mitigating Risks: Financial Strategies for Supply Chain Disruption
- Assessing risk exposure across your supply chain
- Developing contingency plans to maintain continuity during disruptions
- Leveraging technology monitor and report on supply chain performance
Stream 1- Change Management
14:35-15:10
Connecting the Dots: Turning Data into Strategic Advantage
- Exploring the transformation of FP&A from a traditional reporting function to a business driver
- Understanding how advancements in automation & analytics are enhancing capabilities
- Outlining the growing importance of finance leaders as strategic partners who drive business performance
Suhaib Akhtar, Head of Finance Retail Operations, Thames Water
Stream 2 - Corporate Responsibility
14:35-15:10
Sustainable Finance: Key Advice on Navigating ESG
- Exploring how ESG factors influence financial performance & risk management
- Developing a roadmap for aligning ESG goals with financial strategy
- Building stakeholder & customer confidence through ESG reporting
Mehtab Khalid, Finance Director, Mitie
15:10-15:55
Panel Discussion: The Best Approaches to Recruitment & Retention to Address the Talent Gap
- Building a strong brand & creating compelling value propositions to attract top talent
- Investing in company culture & employee satisfaction to improve retention
- Cultivating inclusive hiring practices & considering reskilling schemes to broaden points of entry
Jon Vella, Finance Director, Just Eat Takeaway
Rudmila Azad, Head of Finance & Commercial, UK Trade Remedies Authority
Esther Leung, Global Director Commercial Finance, Condé Nast
Louise Sargeant, CFO, Cranfield University
Sarah Watson, Director of Finance, Roffey Park
15:55-16:00
Closing remarks from the Chairperson