Disrupting Finance: Delivering next level
strategic, digital and operational transformation
Australia’s No. 1 Event for Finance Leaders! Celebrating 14 years!
Conference Day One: Tuesday 17th September 2024
Morning Session
8:30 am - 8:50 am
Registration and Morning Coffee
8:50 am - 8:55 am
IQPC Opening Remarks
Alexandra Craggs -
Portfolio Director - Future of Finance,
IQPC
8:55 am - 9:00 am
Chairs Opening Remarks |
Melissa Guy -
Finance Strategy & Improvement Lead,
Woolworths Group
9:00 am - 9:40 am
C Level Panel | Strategic Navigation of Economic and Business Landscape
Aileen Yao -
General Manager – Group Treasury, M&A, Corporate Finance,
Fulton Hogan
Bill Schafer - Chief Financial Officer, Auswide Bank
Craig Rochat - Group Chief Executive Officer & acting Chief Financial Officer, Land of Plenty Food Co
Melissa Guy - Finance Strategy & Improvement Lead, Woolworths Group
This session will explore the macro and micro economic challenges front of mind for CFOs at the moment. It will examine investments, driving long-term value, and bolstering workforces in a time of talent shortages.
Craig Rochat
Group Chief Executive Officer & acting Chief Financial OfficerLand of Plenty Food Co
9:40 am - 10:10 am
A Security Leader Dissects the True Costs of Cyber Incidents
Michael Connory -
CEO,
Security in Depth
A security leader dissects the true costs of cyber incidents
We've all seen the headlines about major data breaches, ransomware attacks and other cyber incidents that can completely derail a business. But what exactly could it cost your organisation?
You're invited to see Eftsure and Michael Connory, CEO of Security in Depth, provide a detailed explanation about the costs, consequences and hard truths of cyber attacks. Using real-world examples, we'll examine the cyber risks that every finance leader should understand – and Michael's guidance for lowering those risks and keeping your business safe.
Sponsored by: Eftsure
10:10 am - 10:40 am
How CFOs can thrive through tech-driven transformation
Justus Siage -
Senior ERP Consultant,
Sage
Join Sage Intacct for an insightful discussion launching our latest CFO research report.
Delve into the dynamic landscape of the tech-finance fusion as we uncover strategies for CFOs to conquer the challenges of tech-driven transformation and excel in their roles like never before.
- Explore how CFOs can thrive in the tech-driven transformation era and delve into the importance of staying attuned to tech trends as technology becomes increasingly integral to finance success.
- Discover how automation empowers finance leaders to focus on value-added tasks and provide real-time insights, with 81% eagerly seeking further advancements.
Don't miss this opportunity to explore the fusion of technology and finance, shaping the future landscape of CFO excellence.
Sponsored by: Sage
10:40 am - 11:20 am
Panel | The Future of Finance – Transformation Beyond 2024
Wilter Silva -
Head of Finance Transformation,
GrainCorp
Kunwar Aditya Saxena - Chief Financial Officer, CIMET
Ashwini Shankar - Chief Financial Officer, NAATI
Jean-Baptiste Naudet - Chief Financial Officer, Australian Red Cross
Melissa Guy - Finance Strategy & Improvement Lead, Woolworths Group
This panel will examine what’s next for finance, exploring the strategic roadmap for finance transformation and automation projects.
11:20 am - 11:40 am
Future of Finance Solution Demonstration Drive
11:40 am - 12:00 pm
Morning Break
Solve your Finance Transformation Challenge with the input, advice, perspective and experience of your peers!
During this part of the event, attendees attend their pre-selected interactive discussions. Delegates can select 3 x interactive discussion groups, each lasting 30 minutes. Discussion groups are hosted by experts and kept intimate to allow all attendees the opportunity to discuss your most pressing questions in an informal yet constructive approach to problem solving.
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION GROUP SESSION
IDG A: FloQast
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm IDG A: Modernising Finance and Accounting Operations Without Disruption Adam Yarnell - Sr Account Executive ANZ, FloQastJason Toshack - Managing Director ANZ, FloQast
IDG B: Esker Australia
11:30 am - 1:00 pm IDG B: Accelerating Cash Flow: Effective Strategies for Optimising the Cash Conversion Cycle Dalene Simpson - Senior Customer Experience Manager, Esker
IDG C: Xcellerate IT and Tungsten Automation
11:30 am - 1:00 pm IDG C: Finance Automation Strategy: How Do You Measure Up on Your Transformation Journey Nicole O'Grady - Financial Controller, BaptistCareMark Hawthorne - Strategic Account Executive, Tungsten Automation
Explore the latest advancements in finance process automation and discover how AI and Hyperautomation can transform your financial workflows, enabling touchless processing. Assess your current progress and benchmark your transformation journey against industry standards. Engage with peers, share your experiences, and gain practical insights and strategies to drive your organisation's financial innovation and efficiency.
Sponsored by: XcellerateIT and Tungsten Automation (formerly Kofax)
IDG D: Upskilling and Cross-skilling Team: Empowering Staff for Success
11:30 am - 1:00 pm IDG D: Upskilling and Cross-skilling Team: Empowering Staff for Success Nicola Patterson - Head of Finance, Entain Group
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch with a side of lively Future of Finance conversation with your peers!
Digital Transformation and AI is not just a trend – it's the new reality for business. But with the rush to adopt, many Organizations are drowning in disconnected tools and minimal returns.
In this Keynote, the speaker will explore how CFOs can navigate these organisational complexities and influence a strategically aligned implementation and integration of Al in the business. He will provide a practical Playbook to drive Al adoption, leveraging real-life case studies and expert insights.
Bill Schafer - Chief Financial Officer, Auswide Bank
Rebecca Yu - Head of Commercial Finance, Endeavour Energy
Niklas Bernal - Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer, Marley Spoon
Melissa Guy - Finance Strategy & Improvement Lead, Woolworths Group
This session will examine the various considerations that need to be examined when introducing autonomous technology into finance operations including ethical considerations, data security, skills transformation as well as the opportunities autonomous finance can unlock.
Enjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!
Muhammed Hossain - Head of FP&A and Commercial Finance, CAR Group
Liz Siminsky - Chief Financial Officer, Fisher & Paykel Australia
Stephanie Jonovska - Head of Finance Operations & Transformation, BlueScope
This discussion will examine steps to empower finance teams including integrating technology and people, building a collaborative team culture, and talent development and retention.
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Case Study – CFO Boardroom | Transformation in Finance: A Real-World Journey Sandrine de Bonhome - Chief Financial Officer, Allianz Retire+This session will feature a case study for rebuilding a Finance function, showcasing the unique challenges of a scale-up within a large organization, the power of starting small, the importance of hiring for mindset, and the role of the CFO as a business partner and driver force behind strategic decisions.
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
3:00 pm - 3:40 pm Panel – CFO Boardroom | The Evolving Role of CFOs: From Numbers to Strategic Leadership David Starkey - Chief Financial Officer, SapioMitchell Koureas - National Commerce Manager (CFO), Tradelink
Stephanie Jonovska - Head of Finance Operations & Transformation, BlueScope
Sandrine de Bonhome - Chief Financial Officer, Allianz Retire+
This panel discussion will examine how the role of the CFO has evolved from traditional financial management to strategic organisational leadership. It will explore this changing role, the impact of technology and strategies to promote a culture of innovation.
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Afternoon BreakEnjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
4:00 pm - 5:10 pm Workshop A | Strategic Financial Leadership: Driving Business Success James Osborne - Head of Finance – Networks, JemenaIn this workshop, attendees will explore the core aspects of strategic financial leadership essential for driving business success. Participants will learn about the key characteristics of effective financial leaders, including emotional intelligence, stakeholder management, and strategic vision.
The session will focus on aligning finance functions with broader business strategies, emphasizing strategic planning, goal alignment, and effective communication of financial insights to diverse stakeholders. Attendees will also gain insights into leading change and fostering innovation within finance teams to navigate evolving industry landscapes.
5:10 pm - 6:10 pm
Future of Finance 2024: Spring Fling Drinks Reception & Finance Innovator Awards
The sun is out, and it’s time to enjoy! Enjoy the Spring Fling themed drinks reception – what could be more fun than conversation, cocktails, and colleagues, all celebrating the progress of the Finance Function!
