Wednesday 9 November 2016

CIMA North West Midlands Christmas social and networking evening in Stafford on Tuesday 13th December



Craig Stevens, CIMA North West Midlands chairman, invites you to join him at this event. You will have the chance to meet Craig, your local committee and fellow members for a complimentary drink and food by dropping by anytime between 6.30 and 8.30pm. 

This event is open to all CIMA members and a great opportunity to build your network, understand more about CIMA events planned for 2017 and for you to voice your opinions on your branch. 

Date: 13 December 2016

Time: 18:30 

Venue: The Swan Hotel, Stafford ST16 2JA 

Price: GBP 0.00   

Email julie.witts@cimaglobal.com to book your free place



Monday 31 October 2016

Lord Digby Jones confirmed as Keynote Speaker for the CIMA West Midlands Prestige Event in Birmingham on 29th June.


CIMA WM Chairman, Paul Hooper-Keeley, with Lord Digby Jones
We are delighted to announce that Lord Digby Jones will be our keynote speaker for our CIMA West Midlands Prestige Event on the evening of Thursday 29th June 2017. 

Our Prestige Event, following recent tradition, will be held at The Council House in Birmingham.

Lord Jones’ graduation from University College London was followed by 20 years with Edge & Ellison, a Birmingham-based firm of lawyers, where he worked his way up from Articled Clerk to Senior Partner. During these years he was intimately involved in all aspects of business from running the firm “as a business” to recruiting and managing several hundred employees. It was here that he developed a vision of business and its role in society, and began to believe firmly in socially inclusive wealth creation. 

In 2000 he joined the CBI and was able to put some of these ideas into action. During his six and a half years as Director General he became known in the public arena especially for his candid, forthright attitude in his many media appearances.
He campaigned relentlessly on a range of issues including the move from traditional manufacturing of commodities to value-added, innovative products and services. He also lobbied against protectionism protesting that “it is a scourge which may well find short term popularity but inhibits growth, reduces wealth and oppresses the weak”. 

His views on the Public Sector remain a subject of great debate. He has stressed that, "if fundamental reform does not take place, from working practices right through to pension provision, we will end up with an ever-diminishing private sector trying to pay for, and provide pensions for, an ever increasing and inefficient, unproductive, self-interested public sector". 

In 2005 he was knighted for his services to business and became Sir Digby Jones in the Queen’s New Years Honours List. 

When he left the CBI in 2006 he spent the next 12 months in the private sector as adviser to Deloitte and Barclays Capital, held a variety of non-executive board roles, and was the unpaid UK Skills Envoy. In this role he became outraged about the levels of adult illiteracy and innumeracy in the UK, and made the point that we cannot hope to have a safer and healthier society if people lack self-respect or aspiration. 

In July 2007 he was appointed Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment and became a life peer taking the title, Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham Kb. Forthright and, as ever, loyal to British business he spent the next 15 months “doing it in a different way”. He did not join the party of government and without the ambition to progress in politics he concentrated on the business of promoting Britain across the world, travelling to 31 countries in 45 overseas visits.

Thursday 27 October 2016

Sir John Peace & Paul Kehoe to speak at IoD West Midlands Annual Dinner on 24 November at Warwick Castle, Warwickshire.



The Institute of Directors invite you to join us at this year’s annual dinner, in the majestic surrounds of The Great Hall in the heart of Warwick Castle. 

We are delighted to announce our keynote speakers are Sir John Peace, Chair of the Midlands Engine and Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport.  

The evening includes a welcome reception, three course dinner with half a bottle of wine per person and tea or coffee.  

Please note, due to the nature of the venue, spaces are limited and the dress code is Black Tie. 

Key details: - 

Date & time: 24 November 19:00 - 23:00  

Location: Warwick Castle , Warwickshire  

Prices from: - 

Ticket Price: 90.00 GBP (Inc. VAT) 

Two ticket price: 180.00 GBP (Inc. VAT) 

Four ticket price: 360.00 GBP (Inc. VAT) 

Table Price: 900.00 GBP (Inc. VAT) 

Event manager: - 

Ms Sue Hurrell 

Contact phone:01216431868 

Contact email:


Moore Stephens engineers new academy contract reports The Business Desk



BIRMINGHAM accounting firm Moore Stephens has been appointed as auditor for WMG Academy for Young Engineers.  

The firm is one of the leading accounting advisors to academies in the UK and has been appointed to work with WMG Academy across its Coventry and Solihull sites.  

WMG Academy is looking to generate the next generation of engineers that will sustain the West Midlands’ manufacturing industry with the skilled labour it needs to continue its advance. 

The multi academy trust has developed partnerships with more than 20 manufacturing and engineering businesses and has 500 students enrolled across its academies in Coventry and its new Solihull academy in Chelmsley Wood, which opened in September.  

Moore Stephens works with more than 100 academies across the UK and the appointment is the firm’s first with a University Technical College (UTC).  

Nick Simkins, partner at Moore Stephens’ Birmingham office and the firm’s national Head of Charities and Education Group, said: “WMG Academy has built a fantastic reputation as a high achieving academy of excellence and has forged extremely strong links with key industry organisations across the region and nationally. 

“The academy has strong aspirations to build on the success it has achieved to date, including the recently launched new Solihull academy.  

“(We) have a strong track record of supporting academies, along with helping schools converting to academy status, and we’re looking forward to working closely with the board, the principal and the executive team at WMG Academy.” 

WMG Academy is one of 30 UTCs which are government-funded schools that train 14 to 19-year-olds in science, engineering and technology. 

Kate Tague, Executive Principal at WMG Academy, added: “Moore Stephens has a proven track record of working successfully with academies and education and we look forward to working with Nick going forward.”

Wednesday 26 October 2016

Andy Street and Andrew Miskin to speak at special CIMA West Midlands event at JLR on 15 March



I am delighted to announce that Andy Street, currently CEO of The John Lewis Partnership and Conservative Candidate to become West Midlands Mayor, will be joining CIMA’s Global President, Andrew Miskin, at a very special event to be held at JLR on 15th March. 

The event will take place at the British Motoring Museum, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire CV35 0BJ  


The evening will start at 6.00pm with a buffet, networking and tour of the motor museum for those that would like to do this.  We will then have the talks starting at 7.00pm which will include Andrew Miskin, CIMA President, Andy Street and possibly one other speaker from JLR. 

More details to be announced soon…….


Tuesday 25 October 2016

Shaylor hails £100m post-Brexit orders reports Construction Enquirer



Walsall-headquartered contractor Shaylor Group has shrugged off industry fears of a post-Brexit downturn after securing over £100m of work. 

The work boom has been driven by a surge in student accommodation and luxury flats in the Midlands. 

Stephen Shaylor, CEO, said: “Despite the post-Brexit fears regarding labour shortages and an industry wide recession, our order book is stronger than ever particularly with regards repeat business and framework agreements.  

“We are confident that our independent status and collaborative approach continue to provide a future proof platform for growth. 

Work will start shortly on 77 flats in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham after the builder completes 41 high-end apartments for the same client in the heart of Sutton Coldfield.  

In the student sector, Birmingham Properties Group has commissioned 140 student rooms on a former brownfield site to be ready for the 2017 intake. The company is also undertaking a refurbishment and new build student accommodation project on Bristol Street for Pennycuick Collins, chartered surveyors, to provide two ground floor commercial units and 75 student bedrooms. 

Shaylor Group is also delivering Birmingham’s first easyHotel, part of the easy brand of companies, on John Bright Street in the heart of Birmingham. 

At the other end of the residential market, Shaylor Group is delivering several schemes for one of the countrys leading luxury retirement living providers in locations from Kent to Hertfordshire.

IoD Chairman, Jason Wouhra, to give keynote speech at CIMA West Midlands Annual Ball in Birmingham on 18th November



The Institute of Director’s West Midlands Chairman and Director of East Ends Foods plc, Jason Wouhra, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the CIMA West Midlands Annual Ball to be held in Birmingham on Friday 18th November.

Don't miss out on your chance to join us at the Christmas Ball. This is always a very enjoyable evening attended by many CIMA members, students, local business people and companies.

The evening’s entertainment will include: -

        Reception drinks upon arrival.

        Three course meal with fine wine.

        Welcome and chance to meet MAndrew Miskin FCMA, CGMA, CIMA’s Global President.

        Guest speaker – Jason Wouhra – Director of East End Foods and Chair of West Midlands Institute of Directors.

        After dinner - Fun casino.

        Dj and dancing until the early hours.

Why not book a table with work collegues, friends and family?

Dress code is black tie.

Date and time: -

Fri 18 Nov 2016

7.30pm drinks reception

8pm dinner served

12.30am finish

Venue: -

Burlington Hotel

126 New Street

Birmingham

B2 4JA

Cost: -

£36 per ticket

The event is being held in association with SF Group www.sfgroup.com

Monday 24 October 2016

Paul Hooper-Keeley re-elected as West Midlands Chairman of The Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA) for 2017 & 2018



I am delighted to be continuing as Chairman of CIMA West Midlands for a further 2-year term covering 2017 & 2018, and would like to thank the Area and Branch Committees for their continuing support. 

We are already looking towards some fantastic events in 2017, including a March date at JLR’s Motor Museum that will see our Global President, Andrew Miskin, giving a keynote address along with Andy Street, CEO of The John Lewis Partnership and Conservative candidate to become West Midlands Mayor. 

And in June we will be holding our CIMA West Midlands Prestige Event at The Council House, Birmingham, where our keynote speaker is sure to fill the venue when announced. 

No year would be complete without the CIMA Annual Ball so I am sure that this year’s Ball on 18th November will be successfully repeated during the latter stages of 2017. 

The CIMA West Midlands Area Officers for 2017 will be: - 

Area Chair 2017 & 2018 – Paul Hooper-Keeley

Area Secretary 2017 – Gabi Butler (second year of her two year term)

Area Treasurer 2017 – Denise Hammersley (second year of her two year term) 

Branch Officer roles for 2017 are: - 

Birmingham

Branch chair – Graham Harber

Branch secretary – Ben Herring

Branch treasurer – Paul Totty 

Coventry

Branch chair – Roy Ingram

Branch secretary – Nick Jessett

Branch treasurer – Jeanette Evans 

North West Midlands

Branch chair – Denise Hammersley

Branch secretary – Liz Tinsley

Branch treasurer – Cath Shirley

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Shaylor Group Donates £35k to Teenage Cancer Trust

National contractor Shaylor Group is delighted to have smashed its target of £10,000 to donate to their chosen charity for 2015-16, Teenage Cancer Trust. 


Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24. The company chose to support this incredibly worthwhile cause as one of Shaylor Group’s longstanding employees experienced the amazing service they provide whilst his son fought a rare form of bone cancer. As a result, the entire company whole heartedly threw themselves behind fundraising which has led to a magnificent total of £35,000 being raised in under 18 months.


On Tuesday 5th July Stephen Shaylor, CEO of Shaylor Group, presented a cheque for £35,000 to Emily Cooper and Lottie Kendall, Regional Fundraisers for Teenage Cancer Trust at the company’s Aldridge Headquarters. The funds were raised from a wide number of initiatives including teams participating in the Wolf Run, the Fred Shaylor Golf Classic and the world record breaking ‘Skydive For Stephen’ event in memory of Stephen Sutton.


Mr Shaylor commented “Obviously Teenage Cancer Trust is a cause very close to our hearts which is reflected in the magnificent sum we have raised as a company. Our big hearted staff and supply chain partners have worked tirelessly taking part in events and running competitions to raise the funds.”


On behalf of Teenage Cancer Trust, Emily Cooper added “We loved working with Shaylor Group. Their staff worked tirelessly to raise funds that will enable us to support young people with cancer. Thanks go to everyone at Shaylor Group for their incredible support and generosity.”


To learn more about how Teenage Cancer Trust support and care for young people living with cancer visit www.teenagecancertrust.org  

Friday 15 July 2016

Charles Tilley OBE steps down as CEO of CIMA and becomes Executive Chairman, CGMA Research Foundation



Following the overwhelming support of CIMA members last month to establish the world's largest and most influential accounting association - bringing together CIMA with the AICPA - Charles Tilley has decided to end his 15 year tenure as CEO of CIMA, stepping down from his role on 31 July 2016.  


As colleagues and friends will warmly recognise, Charles Tilley is fond of saying; 'there’s never been a better time to be a management accountant'.  And he's right as new opportunities open up for management accountants as CFOs, FDs, CEOs and Chairmen in leading businesses and other organisations across the world.  


Charles Tilley will continue to play an active role going forwards. He will become the part time Executive Chairman of the newly established CGMA Research Foundation focusing on senior business relationships and their needs from management accounting with a particular focus on raising the awareness and driving the adoption of the Global Management Accounting Principles. He will also continue to play a wider representative role advancing the agenda of building better business trusted by society.  


Speaking for CIMA members President Andrew Miskin commented: “I am delighted to pay tribute to Charles. He has played a critical role in driving the formation of the new Association. CIMA has never been better known, more respected or influential. Charles has transformed CIMA as an active force across Asia and has opened up North America. His commitment to rigorous research focused on the current and future needs of business ensures the relevance of those who are CIMA qualified. He helped forge the Global Management Accounting Principles, the basis of the world’s first global standard for management accounting, BSI PAS 1919”.


Charles Tilley added: "I have been tremendously honoured to serve as CEO of CIMA. With member endorsement achieved, the next step is to establish the Association, successfully implementing the integration of strategy, management and operations, laying the strongest possible foundations for the CGMA designation. At this next stage of the development of CIMA I believe the time is now right to stand down. I am enormously grateful to members, staff and partners for all they have contributed whilst I have been CEO". 


Barry Melancon, President and CEO of the AICPA remarked: "I am delighted that Charles has responded positively to my request that he stay on adding his insight, wisdom and guidance.  As we make history forming the new Association I and colleagues are all too keenly aware that we simply could not have done it without Charles".


Andrew Harding, currently CIMA's Managing Director, will become acting CEO from 1 August until the Association is formed in January 2017 - he will then become the first CEO of the new 'CGMA Unit' of the Association. Andrew added:
"Charles has been a tremendous and inspirational colleague and leader - on behalf of all staff together with senior colleagues, I warmly wish Charles, Sarah and his family the very best whilst strongly welcoming his continuing relationship with CIMA going forwards. 


“I am delighted to be leading CIMA and the new CGMA Unit - and very much look forward to working with our members, partners and students across the world in forging the new Association".

Wednesday 29 June 2016

Alistair Darling & Sir Clive Woodward gave keynote presentations at the CFO Agenda in London yesterday

Paul Hooper-Keeley with former Chancellor, Alistair Darling, at the CFO Agenda
Yesterday's CFO Agenda conference, organised by Financial Director Magazine, was a thoroughly interesting day that certainly held the interest of the large number of finance professionals in attendance.


Sir Clive Woodward opened the day with an excellent keynote that went through his T-Cup methodology (Thinking Correctly Under Pressure) amongst others, and was very well received.


There were excellent panel sessions on effective change management, penions, corporate culture, the apprenticeship levy, the digital finance function and the controversial subject of tax avoidance v tax planning.


Of course the elephant in the room was Brexit and the domino effect this appears to be having on both the markets and political parties in the UK, and this was tackled by an excleent panel on EU Membership followed by a keynote by former Chancellor, Alistair Darling. He was both honest and pragmatic about the position the nation now finds itself in, highlighting the fact that the 'Leave' camp appear to have no plan in place as they clearly didn't expect to win the referendum. He then undertook a lenghty Q&A session and stopped around afterwards to answer questions on a one-to-one basis.


A very rewarding and well organised day and I would highly recommend that you attend future events that Financial Director Magazine organise.

CIMA West Midlands Prestige Event brought almost 200 senior finance professionals together to hear Justin Urquhart Stewart's keynote presentation


A big thanks you to Justin Urquhart Stewart for his excellent keynote presentation and Q&A session, to MC MIke Pagan for keeping the night on track, to our sponsors, HSBC & Moore Stephens LLP, to our area co-ordinator, Julie Wiits, for putting the event together, and for the almost 200 senior finance professionals who attended on the night. Thank you.

Thursday 23 June 2016

Members endorse CIMA’s long-term strategy



In April 2016, Myriam Madden (then, CIMA’s President) wrote to the membership about our long-term strategy and the proposal from CIMA’s Council to evolve our joint venture with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and create a new association that would represent the breadth of the accounting profession. 

The ballot recently took place and we are pleased to share the results for both CIMA and the AICPA. An overwhelming 89.7 per cent of CIMA members voting endorsed our strategy and proposal. Likewise, 85.6 per cent of the AICPA members who voted supported the proposal to create a new association. 

CIMA’s Council had been considering how to adapt to today’s faster and more competitive world and the proposal which has now been endorsed will build on our existing joint venture which has seen a number of successes, including the creation of the CGMA designation. Through the creation of the Association, we aim to accelerate CIMA’s long-term strategy to ensure we remain most relevant in the management accountancy space. 

The CIMA and AICPA membership bodies will remain and CIMA will retain its strong focus on management accounting. By joining forces with the AICPA, we aim to become the world’s most influential professional body of accountants while continuing to operate the two membership bodies our communities have collectively trusted for many decades. We will also aim to advance the entire breadth of the accounting profession – both management and public accounting – and continue to raise the profile of the CGMA designation globally to further enhance our employability and recognition. 

We will keep everything we value from CIMA while benefiting from the combined strength of the two organisations. We will be stronger together, allocating resources more effectively and achieving greater efficiencies to deliver better services and benefits to our members. Our membership of CIMA, our designations, our Council and Royal Charter will all remain, but we will automatically become a member of the new joint venture Association. 

The new Association will build on the history and reputation of both CIMA and the AICPA and by integrating strategy, management and operations, we aim to become stronger, provide greater and more responsive services to better serve both our current and future members in the competitive challenges that lie ahead. 

Through our feedback from members we have learned how they see the future direction of CIMA and management accountancy. We now have a deeper knowledge of the views of our members across the world, and CIMA’s work to support you and raise the profile of our profession will be all the stronger for it.

Today marks the start of a journey as we commence working to integrate our operations. Implementing the proposal will begin straight away, and while full integration will of course take time, the new Association will launch in 2017 to deliver additional value to the members.

Monday 6 June 2016

How to be a Productivity Ninja™– Free CIMA & AAT event in Crewe on 22nd June


Worry less, achieve more, love what you do.

Information overload is a big problem. We are all overwhelmed by it and is a potential distraction we face in our work.  It is no longer enough just to focus on your time management, it is time to think about how you manage your attention and focus, your projects, actions, your choices and habits. 

Date: 22 June 2016 - 6.30pm 

Location: Wychwood Park Hotel, Crewe CW2 5GP 

Price: No charge - Buffet served on arrival  


What you can gain

This session will cover: -

The nine characteristics of the productivity ninja.
How to stop email and the internet taking up your whole day.
Beating procrastination.
How to replace demoralising lists with a more productive personal productivity system.
Fighting distraction and interruption.
Staying focused, on task and in the zone.
Replacing constant firefighting and confusion with a purposeful structure and plan.
Managing your energy, concentration and motivation in a sustainable way.
You will leave the session with some practical tools to boost your productivity, reduce your stress levels and ultimately make things happen in your work and life. 

Speaker Details

Our guest speaker, Grace Marshall, is the author of the Amazon bestselling book, ‘21 Ways to manage the stuff that sucks up your time’ and the newly published ‘How to be really productive: achieving clarity and getting results in a world where work never ends’.  She is also a qualified coach, NLP practitioner with a degree in international management and a productivity ninja with think productive.

Grace admits she is not a naturally organised person. Her passion for productivity began when she got fed up saying ‘I haven't got enough time.’  She specialises in helping busy time jugglers find ways of getting things done with less stress, less overwhelm, more fun, enjoyment and fulfilment and does her own juggling with two young children and her own coaching business.

Tuesday 31 May 2016

Doosan Infracore Machine Tools acquired by MBK Partners reports Machinery Market



The newly created Doosan Machine Tools Co Ltd was officially launched on 2 May, following the recent acquisition of Doosan Infracore Machine Tools BG by the Korean company MBK Partners.  

At a special ceremony held at the newly launched company’s Changwon factory in South Korea, senior management representatives presented its ambitions and plans for the next 40 years.  

New Start 40 focuses on the company continuing to grow its share of the global machine tool market, with the aim of becoming one of the top three suppliers in the medium term. Doosan Machine Tools (then called Daewoo Machinery) was launched as part of Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery on 1 July 1976. It was subsequently acquired by Doosan Group and operated as part of Doosan Infracore until 2 May this year.  

Currently, Doosan Machine Tools Co Ltd operates three manufacturing facilities, four subsidiaries and 18 technical centres; it also has a global network comprising 122 dealers — including Leamington-based Mills CNC, which is not only the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland but also a long-established Technical Partner.

Thursday 26 May 2016

CIMA West Midlands - Retired members’ lunchtime cruise on 15th June


We welcome you to join us for a lunch and cruise aboard the Countess of Evesham, a 70ft restaurant cruiser going out of Stratford-upon-Avon.  

CIMA has exclusive use for this cruise. Please arrive no later than 12.15pm as the cruise departs at 12.30pm. You will have an excellent two course lunch whilst cruising along the river for one and a half hours, returning at 2pm. 

Date:  15 June 2016 – 12.15pm to 2pm   

Location:  Countess of Evesham, Bancroft Basin, Bancroft Gardens, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BA 

Price: £20.50 (incl. VAT) 

Comments: Two course lunch and river cruise included. 

Find out full details of the Countess of Evesham at http://www.countessofevesham.co.uk/  

You can pay online at www.cimaglobal.com or download a booking form and return to Julie Witts with a cheque payment for £20.50. Please ensure you book your place by Wednesday 8 June.

Thursday 19 May 2016

Focus on Construction supplement in Birmingham Post

The Birmingham Post has taken a look at the construction industry this week in a special supplement.
Who's Who in Construction is sponsored by Aldridge-based Shaylor Group and examines the changing market place.
With Paradise, HS2, Arena Central and countless new student accommodation projects, the construction industry in Birmingham is booming right now.
Shaylor peers into its crystal ball and assess the Government's Construction 2025 strategy while Speller Metcalfe talks adaptations and negotiated contracts.
Stepnell also looks at some of the work it has been carrying out.
Who's Who in Construction can be read online via our PageSuite software or in the latest edition of the Birmingham Post.
For future supplements and advertising opportunities, contact Tony Williams on tony.williams@trinitymirror.com or call 0121 234 5262 or 07970 728 274.

Tuesday 17 May 2016

Shaylor Group plc – ‘Double Delight At Celebrating Construction 2016 Awards’ reports Tanith Hood


We are extremely proud to announce our success in this year’s prestigious Celebrating Construction 2016 Awards in Birmingham on Friday 13th May. 

The win of the night was in the ‘Heritage’ category, where our outstanding work on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Wing restoration was acknowledged. The project saw the restoration of the oldest part of the RSC’s theatres, with work being carried out on both the façade and interior of the Grade II listed building. We would like to congratulate Heritage Specialist Richard Sapcote, Contracts Manager Rob Leonard, Site Managers Bob and Phil Tatton and Quantity Surveyor Dan Manley on this fantastic achievement.  

Alongside this award, we also received Highly Commended in the ‘Project of the Year’ category, for the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) project. As only the third project of its kind globally, it has deservedly attracted national and international media attention. We weaved our way throughout the woodland in Staffordshire to carry out extensive works setting up the site including construction of access roads, a Co2 storage compound and installation of 1,000 meters of pipework throughout the forest for the distribution of the Co2. In addition, we also achieved our now infamous helicopter delivery method for installation of over 100 25m high masts. The success of this project is thanks to a great deal of people and hard work - Project Manager Dave Disney, Quantity Surveyor Nigel Meehan, Site Managers Sean Hall, Paul Cheese, Paul Roberts, Stan Tweede, Scott Orton and Chris Moore, M&E Manager Neil Cappell and Senior Contracts Manager Phil Wrixon.  

This is the second acknowledgement the BIFoR project has received, with it also being named winner of the ‘Environmental Award’ last year at the Building Safety Group Awards. As well as this amazing achievement, Dave Disney has also been shortlisted for the Construction Manager of the Year Awards for his performance on BIFoR, and we wish him the best of luck for the rest of the process.  

Many congratulations to all involved in these award winning projects!

The CFO Agenda 2016: Culture. Strategy. Change. on 28 June in London with Sir Clive Woodward & Alistair Darling presented by Financial Director


Tuesday 28th June 2016

Waldorf Hilton, London

8:30 - 9:00 

Delegate registration and refreshments

9:00 - 9:10 

Chairman's welcome and opening remarks

Richard Crump, Editor, Financial Director

9:10 - 10:10 

Keynote: Sir Clive Woodward

The Rugby World Cup-winning head coach and Team GB director of sport will provide rare insight into people management and driving culture, while setting out your own path to success.

He will also share his experiences on the front-line in the upper echelons of both sport and business.

Followed by Q&A with the audience

10:10 - 10:55 

How to instil effective change management culture

Finance Directors increasingly act as arbiters of organisational change. Working closely with CEO to devise change strategy, it is often the CFO and finance function that is responsible for making the numbers add up. Increasingly, CFOs are charged with managing the ‘change teams’ and monitoring the relevant KPIs. This panel will discuss how they instil change culture throughout their organisations.

Panellists:

Mark Evans, Chief Financial Officer, 02 UK

Talita Ferreira, Chief Financial Officer, BMW Group UK Ltd.

David Tilston, former Chief Financial Officer, Innovia Group

Followed by Q&A with the audience

10:55 - 11:15 

Morning networking break

11:15 - 12:00 

Pensions – taking control

Company pension schemes may have been set up in the past, but they affect the future. This session will provide the latest thinking on how you, as FD, can help to control your pension scheme rather than it dominating the agenda. Our expert panel will outline how to approach pensions risk management, setting an appropriate governance structure in place, and the latest funding options available. They will also outline the government’s direction of travel on pensions.

Chair:

Gareth Tancred Gareth Tancred, Chief Executive, Pensions Management Institute

Panellists:

Richard Dowell, Head of Clients, Cardano

Bina Mistry Bina Mistry, Head of UK Corporate Pensions Consulting, Willis Tower Watson

12:00 - 12:45 

Corporate culture – an abstract concept for CFOs

A failure in culture invariably lies at the heart of corporate scandal – from dodgy accounting figures to fake emissions data and any number of notable governance failings. But what does a healthy corporate culture look like and how can it be assessed. What role does CFO and internal audit-type functions play in its creation and assessment.

Panellists:

Ian Smith, CFO, Clydesdale Bank

Gilly Lord Gilly Lord, Head of Regulatory Affairs, PwC

12:45 - 13:45 

Networking lunch

13:45 - 14:15 

The Digital Finance Function

CFOs and their finance teams are increasingly expected to drive new digitally enabled business models. This session will explore how finance teams can expand their knowledge of technology, analytics and business partnering to capture, develop and analyse new performance metrics to understand the value created by new intangible drivers using the latest cloud-based tools and technologies.

Chair:

Peter Cochrane, Former Chief Technology officer, BT

Panellists:

Mark Nittler, VP Enterprise Strategy, Workday

Followed by Q&A with the audience

14:15 - 15:00 

Do companies have a duty to avoid tax?

Attitudes to aggressive tax planning are changing. The public, investors and stakeholders expect higher standards of tax compliance and more transparency from large businesses about the way they approach taxation. But is it the duty of Finance Directors to minimise tax exposure within the labyrinthine tax system created by politicians.

This discussion examines latest attitudes to tax planning and the impact of greater international harmonisation of tax rules and increased reporting of taxation policy by large corporates.

Panellists:

Jolyon Maugham, QC Barrister, Devereux Chambers

Stephen Herring, Head of Taxation, Institute of Directors

Meg Hillier, Chair, Public Accounts Committee

Followed by Q&A with the audience

15:00 - 15:30 

Afternoon networking break

15:30 - 16:15 

The business of deciding on EU membership

The UK public has decided. Their vote on whether to stay, or leave, the EU will have a fundamental impact on the direction of business. Can corporates rise above the fallout of the decision, or do they need to rethink their approach to dealing with Europe?

This panel examines the economic, commercial and regulatory impact post EU Referendum.

Panellists:

George Buckley, Chief UK Economist, Deutsche Bank

Vernon Bogdanor, Research Professor, Institute for Contemporary British History

Followed by Q&A with the audience

16:15 - 17:15 

Keynote: Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer  

Alistair Darling will talk about his experiences as chancellor, and his thoughts on the impact upon business of the UK’s EU Referendum.

Followed by Q&A with the audience

17:15 - 17:20 

Chairman's closing remarks

Richard Crump, Editor, Financial Director

17:20 

Drinks and canapés 



Wednesday 11 May 2016

CBI MSB Summit in London on 7th July - 'Meeting The Productivity Challenge'




Meeting the Productivity Challenge
09:00 – 10:00    Registration, refreshments and networking
10:00 – 10:05    Welcome and housekeeping
Steph McGovern, Breakfast Business Reporter (CONFIRMED)
10:05 – 10:10    Opening Address
                        Paul Drechsler, President, CBI (CONFIRMED)
10:10 – 10:30    Q&A - Paul Drechsler, President, CBI and António Horta Osório, CEO, Lloyds
                        Facilitated by Steph McGovern
10:30 – 11:00    Keynote address and Q&A
Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP, Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise (CONFIRMED)
11:00 – 11:25    Morning refreshment break and networking
11:25 – 12:25    Breakout sessions
  • Training a productive workforce
Facilitated by: Pippa Morgan/Neil Carberry, CBI
Case study: TBC
Ability to build skills at all levels is a defining factor on whether a business is productive or not. Training your own staff can be a cost-effective route to increasing capabilities, but the UK’s system for training apprentices in particular is undergoing a fundamental shift, impacting all businesses. This session will help MSBs understand the changes and challenges they face, but also the benefits and opportunities building skills can bring to a workforce.
  • Taking a long-term view
Facilitated by Rob Fontana Reval, CBI
Case study: Charles Tywritt TBC
Developing the skills to implement long-term strategies and change management in a business is critical for MSBs who are looking to diversify their business or move in a new direction. Yet the task can appear complex, impacting on day to day operations with the need to ensure such changes do not impact on business performance in the short and medium term. This session will help MSBs understand the benefits and gain insights into developing a long-term approach and how it can be successfully implemented.
  • Building an international business
Facilitated by Ben Digby, CBI
Case study: TBC
Lots of mid-market firms export their goods and services, but as with the rest of the British economy, many do not consider overseas markets as an opportunity for growth and expansion. In a tough and highly competitive international environment, this will session explore what is holding back companies, dispel some of the myths and outline why they should embrace the export opportunity.
  • Providing finance for mid-sized firms
Facilitated by James Ashton Bell, CBI
Case study: FinnCap TBC
The financing landscape for MSBs has changed dramatically in recent years, with a rich and varied market emerging. Each year, more and more alternative finance providers have entered the arena. Understanding what type of finance is right for a particular business is critical for MSBs making long-term investment decisions. This session will look at how the market has changed, what options companies should consider before accessing a new form of finance, and the benefits and challenges firms can face when working with different finance providers.
  • Staying innovative in a growing business
Facilitated by Laura Smith, CBI
Case study: Innovia Group TBC
A healthy and growing innovation eco-system is critical to the UK’s long-term economic success. Mid-market firms have a proud legacy of developing new and exciting technologies and innovations, yet the UK underperforms when investing in R&D. Addressing this issue is essential for our international competitiveness and as a place to invest and grow a business. This session will look at some of the steps MSBs have taken in becoming more innovative in their business, the benefits it has bought, but also the challenges and what stops companies from making this critical investment decision.
12:25 – 13:25    Lunch and networking
13:25 – 14:25    Afternoon breakout sessions (earlier sessions repeated)
14:25 – 14:50    Afternoon refreshments and networking
14:50 – 15:20    The Productivity Review: An interview with Sir Charlie Mayfield (CONFIRMED)
                        Facilitated by Steph McGovern
15:20 – 15:50    In Conversation with:
Richard Clothier, Managing Director, Wyke Farms (CONFIRMED, confirm speech time)
Dani Saveker, CEO and Founder, Families in Business (invited)
                        Facilitated by Steph McGovern
15:50 – 16:20    Keynote address and Q&A
Martha Lane Fox CBE, Co-Founder of Lastminute.com (to be invited)
16:20 – 16:30    Closing remarks
Josh Hardie, Deputy Director General, CBI (CONFIRMED)
Steph McGovern
16:30 – 18:30    Networking drinks reception