Agenda

Breakfast Briefing Networking and Registration

Breakfast Briefing
Rising to Challenges and Excelling as a Private Equity-backed CFO/FD

• Planning key career moves
• Building crucial relationships with your CEO, board and finance team
• Managing expectations and identifying value and key risks
• Optimising costs and spending
• Planning and managing an exit process

Edward Knighton, Chief Financial Officer, YO! Sushi

Networking and Registration

Chair’s opening remarks

Keynote Panel
Investing in Innovation – Hear from Front-Runners of SME Tech-Usage

• Where to focus your tech-investments – from business development to upgrading finance function processes
• Using tech innovation to your advantage in a limited resource environment
• Streamlining processes and driving business transformation through tech
• Debating the impact of digital transformation on management structures
• Where will tech take your business and how: sharing success-stories and lessons learn

Chair: Michael Anyfantakis, Head of Innovation Design, Lloyds Banking Group

Thomas Baumgartner, Finance Director, voestalpine Metse

Polly Gardiner, Former Finance Director, Vita Mojo International

John Hammond, Finance Director, East Coast Concepts

Case Study – National Merchant Buying Society
Challenge and Opportunity: NMBS’ Journey to RPA Innovation

• Action and reaction: rethinking processes in the wake of a supply set-back and thriving in the process
• Turning forced change into real, transferable marketplace innovation
• Understanding RPA and how it can be used to streamline processes
• Lessons learnt

Julie Langford, Finance & Operations Director, National Merchant Buying Society

Networking and Coffee Break

A chance for FDs’ and CFOs to chat to the UKs leading tech providers over tea and coffee, in a casual networking environment.

Industry Leader Panel

Managing the Commercial FD Role and Staying on Top of your Game

• Understanding and debating the meaning of commercial finance leadership
• Finding a balance – Consolidating strategic involvement with the core responsibilities of the FD role
• Converting data into information and driving the decision-making process
• Keeping up with change – Integrating new business models, skills, requirements and technology with your existing expertise
• Coping with pressure and ensuring consistent performance

Chair: Mat Hanson, Finance Director, Aquam

Will Edwards, Finance Director, LOVESPACE

Andy Kay, Finance Director, Random42

Vanessa Worsley, Head of Finance, 4net Technologies

​Peer Research Presentation

How are you Challenging the Business to Drive Growth Strategies in 2019

• Looking at growth objectives in times of economic uncertainty - based on independent research of 500 UK finance leaders.
• Examining growth optimism and the role of finance, getting your priorities right and looking at usage of finance systems.

Cassie Petrie, Senior Director, SAP Concur

Lunch

Out of the Box Speaker
Weathering the Storm– Leadership and Teamwork in Tumultuous Times

• Coping with uncertainty and maintaining focus in a changing environment
• Maintaining stability in the face of adversity and taking the right risks
• Consolidating leadership and teamwork to achieve maximum success

Alan Chambers MBE, Expedition Leader, Author and Former Royal Marine

Talking Tables

• Approaches to Cyber Security
• Cash Flow Management for Corporate Travel
• Debating the role of the “modern” FD”
  

Networking Break

Commentary Panel
Managing M&A – Finding the Best Option for your Business

• Maintaining an exit mindset – Contributing to exit strategy throughout the deal
• Finding your Achilles heel – Anticipating and mitigating complications
• Caught in the middle - Striking a balance between management and shareholder value
• Producing the right model to outperform throughout the exit process

Chair: Edward Knighton, Chief Financial Officer, YO! Sushi

David Bateman, Managing Director, M&A and Integration, Coffeesmiths Collective UK

Keith Boyce, Group Finance Director, Galago

Alan Burns, Chief Financial Officer, Photobox

Chair’s Closing Remarks and Introduction of The FDs’ Excellence Awards

The FDs’ Excellence Awards and Drinks Reception

Join us in celebrating some of the UK’s most innovative and ambitious Finance Directors and CFOs over a drink or two, as well as honouring the outstanding service providers which help businesses thrive.

Networking and Registration

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Big Picture Panel

Setting yourself up for Fundraising Success to take your Business to the Next Level

• Clarifying specific financial needs and capital allocation
• Assessing traditional and newer funding alternatives and selecting the right one for your business
• Optimise your financial data and projections to raise capital
• When raising capital for growth, what are the most cost-effective and productive avenues for short and long-term growth?
• Comparing and Contrasting Funding Methods: Sharing Lessons Learned

Chair: Talya Misiri, Deputy Editor, Real Deals

Helen Gammons, Chief Operating Officer, Rotolight Group

Paul Rickard, Chief Finance Officer, Pocket Living

Camilla Taylor, Chief Finance Officer, what3words

Keynote Address

Financing your Business in the New Turbulent World

• What are the dimensions of the new political and economic turbulence?
• How can you best cope with the turbulent economic climate and ensure your business stays successful?
• How has the business financing landscape been changing?
• What are the pros and cons of the new emerging alternative equity and borrowing providers?
• How can you benefit from the various ways fund providers can aid your business from contacts to advice and beyond?
• What are the implications of funding options for your business at different stages of growth

Mike Wright, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director Center for Management Buyout Research, Imperial College Business School

Networking Break

Case Study

Understanding Contracts – Mitigating the risks associated with winning, managing and losing them

• Selecting tenders and managing the bidding process
• Balancing varied aspects of the process – from financial risks and due diligence, to legal and compliance matters
• Mobilising and managing the contract once it has been won
• Preparing to say goodbye – managing the demobilisation process

Rod Meade, Finance Director, Carter Jonas

Real Story

Lessons Learned from Expanding into New Markets

• Considering your position and finding the right time for expansion
• Choosing the best way to take you company global – Weighing up the options
• How to market to new markets and find your footing abroad
• Lessons learnt

Henry Hatton, SME Lead, WorldFirst

Economic Outlook Panel

Growing your Business and Expanding into New Markets

• Finding the funds and knowing where to focus them for successful expansion
• Maintaining momentum and balancing national and international operations
• Managing additional resources and responsibilities for yourself and your team
• Managing the transition from single to multi-product operations
• Upgrading processes to help manage business growth and deal with compliance issues
• Negotiating cultural challenges and adjusting to new markets

Chair: Henry Hatton, SME Lead, WorldFirst

Julian Ghinn, Former Finance Director, Scott Dunn

Rob Gorle, Finance Director, Perkbox

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds bank

Roy Naismith, Chief Financial Officer, Hive Energy

Lunch

Fireside Chat

On Board with Private Equity – 5 Keys to Success with PE Funding

• Understanding changes o the FD role “after” Private Equity involvement
• identifying potential pitfalls and overcoming challenges
• Collaboration is key - working with investors and team for optimum results
• Sharing lessons learnt

Maria Carradice, Portfolio Director, Mayfair Equity Partners

Interactive Panel – Sli.do

HR and the FD – an Interactive Discussion

• Commenting on a changing work-force and the problems faced by the finance function when it comes to recruitment
• Debating the skills shortage and identifying what is missing and why
• Keeping staff motivated and ensuring consistent performance from old-timers and new talent alike
• Where best to spend your money to optimise your workforce: training vs. recruitment

Chair: Sarah Hutton, Human Resources Director, Western Europe, The Coca-Cola Company

Brian Chester, Non-Executive Director, Viewsat

Leandro Martins, Executive Search Consultant, ORESA

Chair’s Closing Remarks and end of conference