Agenda

Networking and Registration

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Raymond Jack, Executive Director, ACCA Global

Presentation

An Antidote to Heavy Numbers – Becoming the Modern CFO

• Looking at the evolution of the CFO role in the past decade
• Bringing your “whole human” to work – leveraging personality and interests to excel as a team leader
• Increasing involvement in strategic decision-making and claiming your “seat at the table”

Adrian Talbot, Financial Director, Hotwire

Panel Discussion

Integrating Innovative Tech Solutions into the Finance Function for a Competitive Edge

• Finding the right solution providers for your needs in an oversaturated market
• Sourcing capital to invest into value-enhancing tech solutions – from in-house development to expert outsourcing
• Finding the most productive and risk-free ways to gather and utilise data, drive forward business operations and maximise productivity
• Integrating tech enabled solutions into the day-to-day and addressing reluctance from within the team

Darren Cooper, Group Accountant, Travel Innovation Group

Tom Coward, Finance Director, Cytora

Paul Gordon, Managing Director SME & Mid Corporates, Lloyds Banking Group

Networking and Coffee Break

Expert Presentation

What Moves a Currency Market and the Economics Behind it

• Discussing the bounce-back after Brexit, potential impact of the upcoming US election and shifts in global relationships - macroeconomics factors affecting the currency markets in 2020 and beyond
• Managing event risk - what are the potential outcomes of these changes
• Protecting your business - what can you do to ride out and benefit from unforeseen changes
• Examples and lessons learnt

Ryan Nee, Director of UK Sales, Cambridge Global Payments
Dan Vanderputt, Senior BDM/NAM, Cambridge Global Payments

SAP Presentation

Growing Your Business Through Digital Transformation

• Embracing change and identifying where to start
• The role of finance and internal collaboration
• Challenges of scaling, staying efficient and keeping costs inline
• Measuring the impact of digital transformation on your business processes

Cassie Petrie, Senior Director, SAP Concur

Roundtables

• Expense Management - David Smith, CFO, Roomex
• Working with PE/VC investors - David Bateman, Non Executive Director, The Wimbledon Brewery Company (Formerly Paperchase)
• Currency Management - Ryan Nee, Director of UK Sales, Cambridge Global Payments
• Top Tips for Scaling-Up - Lloyds

​Lunch

Panel Discussion

Finding the Right Fit - Navigating Funding Options and Financial Risks

• From bank loans and ABL to venture capital and private equity - Finding the right funding option for your business
• Presenting your company as a must-see opportunity to potential investors
• Collaborating internally with your CEO and leadership team to ensure a smooth transition and productive distribution of capital injections
• Dealing with the risks of access to capital markets drying up – Preparing to manage in the current climate?

Isabelle Maddock, CFO, James Cropper

Peter Fredericks, CFO, Hallmarq Veterinary Imagery

Ricardo Laverty, CFO, Chemist4U

Investor Discussion

Understanding Private Equity and Venture Capital Perspectives on Investing in SMEs

• Understanding what investors are looking for in companies and leadership teams when considering new investment and after the deal is done
• Silent partners or controlling force – understanding the role of Private Equity and Venture Capital within the company structure
• Working with investors post-transaction, to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship

Andy Gregory, Head of Investments UK and Ireland, BGF

Case Study Presentation

The Role of the CFO in Planning for and Maximising Value on Exit

• Planning for exit from the start to deliver the right model to outperform upon exit
• Considering the crucial role of the CFO in valuation and deliverability of the transaction
• Evidencing and articulating your company’s growth story during the exit process
• Managing your time and prioritising to deal with the pressures of the exit process

Juliet Sturridge, Head of Finance, Matthews & Goodman

Tom Lewis, Interim Group Financial Consultant, Pharmaspectra

Networking and Coffee Break

Interview

Onwards and Upwards – Tracking the Journey from CFO to CEO

• Planning your career trajectory and preparing early to make the jump successfully
• Rethinking priorities in a new leadership role
• Navigating team-relationship restructuring after your transition

Will Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Lovespace

Panel Discussion

Team Leadership and Talent Acquisition for Today’s Finance Function

• Navigating a diverse talent pool – from graduate schemes and apprenticeships to sourcing top of the line senior team-members
• Addressing gender and generational diversity within the finance function and finding the most productive way for diverse teams to collaborate
• Discussing staff remuneration and competing with other employers in a busy market

Edward Knighton, CFO, YO!Sushi

Simon Gretton, Finance Director, KBE Drinks

Alicia Thompson, CFO, DMD Ventures

Paul Gordon, Managing Director SME & Mid Corporates, Lloyds Banking Group

Sophia Meadows, Finance Director, Bloom & Wild

Expert Presentation

Know your Enemy – Hear the Latest in Cyber Security Developments and Keep Your Company Safe

• How has the landscape of cyber security threats changed in the past years?
• Identifying the risks SMEs face from cyber security breaches and how to mitigate them
• Lessons learned from high-profile breaches in the past decade

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Raymond Jack, Executive Director, ACCA Global

Networking Drinks Reception