Finance Forward: Transforming Strategy, Empowering
People, Driving Value
Australia’s No. 1 Event for Finance Leaders! Celebrating 14 years!
Conference Day Two: Wednesday, 17th September 2025
9:00 am - 9:05 am
Chair’s Opening Remarks |
Brett Walker-Davies -
Finance Director,
Brisbane Grammar School
9:05 am - 9:35 am
Keynote Case Study | Driving Growth with Digital Transformation
Safwan Arshad -
Group Chief Financial Officer,
Alpha Lifecare
As a forward-thinking CFO with deep expertise in financial strategy and digital transformation, Safwan Arshad offers a powerful perspective on how finance can lead business innovation. In this keynote, he will explore how technologies like automation, AI, and cloud-based platforms are reshaping the way organizations drive growth—while tackling the practical challenges of legacy systems, resistance to change, and fragmented data.
Through a compelling real-world business case and lessons from both global successes and failures, Safwan will demonstrate how finance leaders can evolve from cost stewards to transformation architects. This session is essential for executives looking to future-proof their organizations through smart, scalable, tech-enabled strategies.
9:35 am - 10:05 am
Partner Case Study | The Power of Predictive Analytics: Streamlining Financial Forecasting
This case study will highlight how a strategic partnership leveraged predictive analytics to enhance financial forecasting, enabling more accurate projections, improved decision-making, and streamlined financial operations.
10:05 am - 10:35 am
Speed Networking Refresh |
10:35 am - 11:15 am
Panel Discussion | Data, AI, and Automation: The Holy Trinity for Financial Transformation
Kunwar Aditya Saxena -
Chief Financial Officer,
CIMET
Jon Blackburn - Chief Financial Officer, Sydney Opera House
Brett Walker-Davies - Finance Director, Brisbane Grammar School
Data, AI, and automation are revolutionising financial operations, driving efficiency and enabling smarter decision-making. This panel will uncover how organisations can harness this powerful trio to transform finance functions, enhance agility, and create future-ready strategies.
11:15 am - 11:45 am
Morning Break
Enjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversation with your peers!
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Case Study | Fostering a Culture of Innovation: Developing Future-Ready Finance Professionals
Annette Dal Pra -
Head of Finance - Cement,
Boral
This session explores strategies for fostering a culture of innovation within finance teams, focusing on developing future-ready professionals who are adaptable, tech-savvy, and equipped to drive transformation in an evolving financial landscape.
12:15 pm - 12:55 pm
Panel Discussion | Empowering Your Workforce: The Role of Leadership in Talent Development
Annette Dal Pra -
Head of Finance - Cement,
Boral
Dermot Nolan - Deputy Director, Finance, Beiersdorf
Simon Wallace - Chief Financial Officer, Canberra Labor Club
Nicola Patterson - Head of Finance, Entain Group
Chris Darby - Head of FP&A, Domain Group
Bill Schafer - Former - Chief Financial Officer, Auswide Bank
Strong leadership is critical in fostering talent and preparing teams for the evolving demands of the finance industry. This panel will explore how leaders can inspire, upskill, and retain top talent while building a culture of innovation and continuous development.
12:55 pm - 1:35 pm
Panel Discussion | Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce: Strategies for Talent Development in Finance
Shervina Tjawir -
Associate Director of Finance,
University of Sydney
Maree Cross - Senior Director of Finance Operations and Transformation, LinkedIn
Laila Green - Chief Financial & Operating Officer, FLSmidth Australia
Robert Seidel - Chief Financial Officer, Wollondilly Leisure Centre
Jean-Baptiste Naudet - Chief Financial Officer, Australian Red Cross
As the finance landscape evolves, equipping teams with future-ready skills has never been more critical. This panel will discuss innovative strategies for talent development, including upskilling, cross-skilling, and fostering a culture of adaptability to meet the demands of tomorrow’s workforce
1:35 pm - 2:35 pm
Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch with a side of lively Finance Transformation conversation with your peers
2:35 pm - 3:30 pm
Workshop A | Mastering Workforce Transformation: Upskilling and Reskilling
David Starkey -
Chief Financial Officer,
Sapio
This workshop will explore how finance leaders can make smart, strategic decisions about talent investment in a resource-constrained environment. Learn how to identify roles worth deep investment, unlock the value of overlooked candidates, and build teams where complementary skillsets (not just all-stars) drive real performance. We’ll also examine how steady contributors, and offshore talent can play a pivotal role in workforce stability and leadership development — helping you do more with less, without sacrificing team growth or business continuity.
2:35 pm - 3:30 pm
Workshop B | Streamlining Finance with Automation: Tools, Trends & Techniques
This workshop will explore the latest tools, trends, and techniques in automation, empowering finance teams to streamline operations, reduce manual tasks, and boost efficiency.
