Letter from SSOW Event Director, Karen Magnusson

Hello all,

I’m excited to announce that Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW) ANZ 2026 is officially in production, brought to you by the Shared Services and Outsourcing Network (SSON) – the world’s largest and most influential community of shared services, global business services, and outsourcing professionals.

For almost three decades, SSOW has been the go-to platform where leaders gather to sharpen strategies, connect with peers, and accelerate transformation. But the pace of change in 2026 has never been faster. AI, automation, and new operating models are rewriting the rules of efficiency, value creation, and enterprise leadership. What worked yesterday will not carry you through tomorrow.

That’s why SSOW ANZ 2026 will deliver the insights, connections, and practical frameworks you need to stay ahead. From agentic operations and enterprise intelligence to operating model reinvention, outsourcing innovation, and finance transformation, this event goes beyond theory - it’s about action. You’ll hear real stories from those already seizing opportunities, while uncovering the hard truths for those at risk of being left behind.

This year, we’ll dive deep into the themes shaping the future:

• AI & Agentic Operations – embedding intelligence and scaling automation to lead enterprise transformation.
• Operating Model Reinvention – designing for scale, agility, and digital-first delivery.
• Outsourcing Reinvented – moving beyond cost into capability, resilience, and AI adoption.
• Finance Transformation – aligning with finance leaders to power growth and enterprise strategy.
• Leading Change at Scale – reskilling workforces and embedding a culture of agility.
• From Cost to Value – proving measurable impact or losing relevance.
• Service Expansion & Innovation – capturing growth opportunities across ESG, analytics, and digital innovation.
• Risk, Resilience & Agility – building trust and surviving disruption.
• Data-Driven Service Delivery – turning predictive insights into decision-making power.

We’ll also launch NextGen Finance Transformation ANZ 2026, a dedicated stream tackling the convergence of AI, automation, and data in the finance function. From AI-powered finance to intelligent forecasting, digital core modernisation, and ESG readiness, this stream will provide CFOs and finance leaders with the roadmap to reset their vision and lead enterprise value creation.

This isn’t a conference for passive observers - it’s a platform for action, urgency, and reinvention. As leaders in Shared Services and GBS, your strategies in technology, workforce, and customer excellence will shape the future of your organisation.

I can’t wait to welcome you in 2026 for what promises to be another milestone gathering of the SSOW community.

Warm regards,
Karen Magnusson
SSOW Event Director