Programme

Day One

08.30-09.15 Registration*

09.15-09.25 Opening remarks from co-chairs:
Melanie Stern, Editor, Financial Director Magazine
Eric Tracey, Senior Independent Director, Chloride Group & Findel Plc

09.25 – 10.00 The Political Economy and the outside world– what’s next for the UK?
The economy has been impacted by a number of economic and political variables in the last two years that have led to a fundamental retrenchment in the way we conduct business. Join our expert speaker as we explore the future political economy without dwelling too much on the well trodden past.
Prof. Doug McWilliams, Founder and Chief Executive, Centre for Economic and Business Research

10.00-10.45 Keynote: How to sustain growth once you have it and gain a competitive advantage
Some may already be there but many will be seeking it in 2010 and beyond. With the game plan that has dominated global business changed forever, this insightful keynote will look at some of the fundamental principals that all FDs should keep in mind to drive future growth. It will also touch on some of the new theories and competitive strategies that can give you the financial edge.
Leading European Financial Director

10.45-11.05 Coffee and networking

11.20 – 12.20 Breakout sessions

A) How to avoid falling foul of the pension liability trap
Figures being quoted in the forward projections of the pension market make for tough reading; especially if a company is holding these liabilities on the balance sheet. Defined benefit schemes are on their way out, however, there are many other crucial factors that you should be aware of in order to effectively manage pensions liability risk.
Kevin LeGrand, Fellow, Pensions Management Institute

B) Maximising the efficiency of working capital management
Everybody knows that cash flow is even more important in this lean business environment, but how do you ensure there is enough flexibility to seize growth opportunities whilst insulating against further downturns? Join our experts as they outline best practice approaches to working capital management and ensuring collaborative forecasting accuracy.
Suzanne Baxter, Group Finance Director, MITIE
Jim Buckle, Chief Financial Officer, LOVEFiLM

C) Dealing with volatility – a case for scenario budgeting for business survival
Most people build sensitivity analysis into their budget process but when the volatility is large more drastic scenarios may be called for. This session will explore practical examples of crisis scenarios and offer unique perspectives on how scenario budgeting can ensure the survival of your business.

12.05-12.35 Managing a global business with global clients
We live in a global economy and many companies are de-risking by moving into new geographic regions, but how do you keep control of your processes to ensure smooth business transformation? This session will explore one of the biggest business transformations at one of the worlds most respected companies. Understand the Unilever system and their provider landscape. Discover the art of bringing end to end process orientation alive. Hear how Unilever overcame challenges and succeeded in process efficiency improvement.
Christian Kaufmann, Vice President Finance Services, Unilever

12.35-14.00 Lunch and networking

14:00-15.00 Breakout sessions

A) Keeping up with IT developments – the impact of mobile technology on business in the future
IT and software developments are developing at such a rapid rate that it is easy to get lost in a cloud of options and lose sight of what will provide maximum ROI. In order to synergise IT with the wider business and reap the cost savings join this insightful debate as our experts outline the key considerations with integrating a mobile technology solution in your organisation.

B) Ensuring maximum organisational efficiency through company wide centralisation
Many organisations have been left exposed by their decentralised structure when faced with market challenges. To gain more organisational efficiency and ensure different cost centres work in harmony with the rest of the business a more centralised approach can strengthen an organisation. Here from two finance experts who have been on the front line of their companies centralisation project as they discuss the benefits challenges and ultimate outcomes of their business restructuring.
Jim Martyn, Finance Director, Oracle Corporation
Lindsay Johnston, EMEA Vice President Finance, Oracle Corporation

C) Is your procurement strategy asking enough of your suppliers?
As many businesses are finding we are not out of the woods yet in terms of cost cutting and if there is one good thing to come out of the economic doldrums it is that businesses have a more concentrated focus on driving every last bit of value out of suppliers. Join this expert panel as they look at leading edge practice in driving value throughout your procurement process.
Leonie Brown, Consultant, COA Solutions
Bernard Raschke, Partner & Head of Procurement Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers

15.00 – 15.45 Panel debate: Taking the lead on cost leadership to drive a competitive advantage
Michael Porter first introduced the concept of cost leadership in the 1980’s, but his fundamental principals seem even more crucial in today’s demanding business environment. This expert panel will explore the ways in which FDs can be the vanguard of cost leadership and promote a lean, simplified and a more efficient business processes. Gain unique insight into what businesses have to do to ensure they are constantly focused on creating a competitive advantage.
Andrew Wileman, Independent Business Consultant and Writer

15.45 - 16.15 Fine tuning your risk management strategy to ensure relevance across all business streams
FD’s are increasingly leading the charge to set out an impervious corporate risk strategy that encompasses the whole organisation. However, once the regular risk strategy meetings have been set and assurance mechanisms put in place how do you ensure what was once an annual task transforms into a cultural shift where risk management is a business norm?
Martyn Wates, Chief Financial Officer, The Co-operative Group

16.15 - Chairman’s closing comments

19.30 – 20.00 Champagne drinks reception

20.00 - Gala dinner

Day Two

08.00 – 08.50 Breakfast

08.50 – 09.00 Opening remarks from co-chairs:
Melanie Stern, Editor, Financial Director Magazine
Eric Tracey, Senior Independent Director, Chloride Group & Findel Plc

09.00 - 09.40 An interview with Ken Lever: Assessing the shift in priorities for a finance leader
Ken Lever, Chief Financial Officer, Numonyx

09.40 – 10.40 The big debate – How the corporate power set see the future finance function
It has never been more important for the finance function to embed itself into the strategic heart of a business. Given the inherent market risks and cash flow strain being faced by all businesses, the board is actively encouraging closer links between every business unit and the finance department. This candid panel debate will provide you with a fascinating insight into the other components of the corporate power set and how they foresee the finance function working with the entire business.
Carolyn Bresh, Chair, ICAEW Finance and Management Faculty
Andy Raynor, Chief Executive Officer, RSM Tenon Group
Alastair Behenna, Chief Information Officer, Harvey Nash
Eric Tracey, Senior Independent Director, Chloride Group & Findel Plc

10.40 – 11.00 Coffee and networking

11.00 – 12.00 Breakout sessions

A) Taking the lead on sustainability to insulate against future costs and regulation
If there is one certainty in this unpredictable world it is that tax and regulation relating to corporate energy consumption will be on the increase in the future. Government pressure to reduce energy consumption has already been acted on by many corporate businesses, however, senior commentators who are close to the EU’s 2020 strategy are saying that much more needs to be done across all business sectors. Learn how to take a pro-active stance on energy consumption to mitigate the impact on your business and identify opportunities.
Alan McGill, Partner, Sustainability and Climate Change, PricewaterhouseCoopers

B) IFRS transition – likely effects on your role as FD
There is a broad feeling of uncertainty when it comes to IFRS and its final shape and reach. As well as significant implications on fundamental accounting practice IFRS also ahs the scope to systems, requirements, controls, training, resources, market impacts and ‘flow-on’ effects. Join other senior FDs leading IFRS experts as they dissect the current state of play and look to what the future holds.
Tom Jones, Former Vice Chairman, IASB

C) Dealing with lenders: The evolving relationship between the Finance Director and debt providers
Relations with lenders has been a sensitive subject for FDs in the past two years. Whether it be a banking covenant default or a tussle to gain extra finance it is true to say that relations between FDs and lenders has fundamentally changed. This fascinating session will attempt to unravel the connection between UK business and the lending sector.
Christopher Kinsella, Ex CFO and Group Finance Director, TI Automotive
Martyn Wates, Chief Financial Officer, The Co-operative Group

12.00 -12.30 The path to main board Finance Director and beyond
Career paths for finance leaders are many and varied. Whilst there is no set path for all to follow, our expert will help people understand what businesses and interviewers look for from candidates and how they can build a skill set that helps the take control of their career.
Mark Freebairn, Partner & Head, CFO Practice, Odgers Berndtson

12.30 -13.30 Panel debate: Same job title but worlds apart?
This session will delve into the worlds of four very different types of finance head as they debate and discuss the differing nature of their work. At first sight the roles of public sector, private sector, SME and Multinational finance functions may seem like they are worlds apart, however, join this unique panel debate as they show that there is a great deal to be learnt from each other.
Andy Blackstone, Company Secretary and European Finance Director, M&C Saatchi
Stephen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, London borough of Hounslow
Barry Nethercott, Group Finance Director, Southern Housing Group

13.30 - Closing remarks from the chair

13.35 – Buffet networking lunch

* Please note the programme is subject to change