Programme

FINANCE LEADERS 2023

Sandton Convention Centre 21 and 22 November 2023

PROGRAMME

7:15

Registration & Coffees in Expo

8:15

WELCOME

Matt Knight, Project Director: Commercial, SAICA

Freeman Nomvalo, CEO, SAICA

8:20

KEYNOTE

How businesses can take smart ideas to a global stage

Bruce Whitfield, Journalist and Author

8:45

ECONOMY & OPPORTUNITY

Bruce Whitfield and an exclusive panel talk about an ‘economic big view’: How does Big Business seek new opportunities and markets for growth in times of economic uncertainty.

Melissa Stevens CA (SA), CFO, Business Banking, FNB

Jonathan Ayache, CEO, LIFT Airline

9:30

NEW LEADERSHIP

Bruce Whitfield and a senior business panel get personal, discussing their own lessons on financial leadership. This session will also talk about the future of work, the trends shaping the evolving workplace, and how finance and business needs to be prepared for the coming change.

Kiveshen Moodley, SA Country Manager, Workday

Dario Grassini, CA(SA), Co-CEO, SAPRO

Khuthadzo Mbedzi Manana CA(SA), CFO, National Youth Development Agency

10:15

NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK & BOOK SIGNING

VENUES & STREAMS

BALLROOM: BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

Stream MC:

Bronwyn Williams, Futurist and Trend Analyst, Flux Trends

KWENA SUITE: TECHNOLOGY

Stream MC:

Wadzanai Mabuto CA(SA), Senior Lecturer: Department of Accounting, University of Johannesburg

10:45

FINANCE AS A STRATEGIC BUSINESS PARTNER

Modern finance leaders play an essential role in business transformation, and the right skills, tools and expertise will allow them to adapt to an ever-changing landscape as they seek to gain a competitive edge. Business partnering is a critical part of this, where finance leaders can break down operational silos and support strategic decisions across the business.
In this session, we will explore how the role of the finance leader is changing, the rise of business partnering and how a sound application of finance technology can set you up for success.

Mohammed Mosam, Director of Product Lead & Marketing, Sage Africa & Middle East

HOW FINANCE LEADERS NOW LEAD BUSINESS INNOVATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

The role of finance in digital business innovation is becoming increasingly important. Digital innovation is no longer the sole ambit of the CIO and CTO. Finance leaders are increasingly required to be innovation leaders, and this role is more than just a step change for CFO’s and other finance leaders. We will be exploring examples of this change and its impact on business and how finance leaders have been embracing this.

Gregory MacLennan CA(SA), CEO, DigiCloud Africa (Google)

11:30

THE FUTURE CA:
LEARNING, CAREER CHOICES & EDUCATION

In this session, an experienced business duo will discuss the changing landscape of Basic and Higher Education, how digital learning and technology is unlocking new skills in South Africa, including the future Chartered Accountant. This session will also give non-cliched insights into personal learning and development, as well as how we think about recruitment and retainment of the best finance people for our businesses.

Robert Paddock, Founder of GetSmarter and Founder & CEO of the Valenture Institute
Vincent Matholo CA(SA), CFO, UCT and SAICA Chairman

CYBER SECURITY:
WHY IT SHOULD BE ON THE C-SUITE AGENDA

With the recent unprecedented rise in cyber-attacks on a global level, effective cyber defence requires sustained strategic consideration and investment. We will cover key considerations for the C-Suite, the consequences of data breaches mentioning case study examples and the potential draft amendment to the Cyber Crimes Act.

Thilen Pillay, Director: Risk Advisory Services, RSM

12:15

NETWORKING LUNCH

13:00

SUSTAINABILITY

This session will show how businesses can incorporate Sustainability into their Strategies and discuss how Boards and Shareholders receive the feedback and insights they need. We’ll also look at how to manage the related risks and opportunities when entering into new green technology business ventures.

Belinda Carreira CA(SA), Co-Founder and Co-CEO, SustainableDNA

Dean Mulqueeny, Group Executive, AECI WATER (ImproChem)

NAVIGATING THE FINANCIAL REPORTING LANDSCAPE DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES

The civil unrest in 2021 and the impact of climate change (like the recent floods) remind us of the risks that South Africa faces and their impact upon finance. This session will therefore highlight some of the key financial reporting considerations such as the impact of the ‘unusual events’ on financial statement disclosures and financial and non- financial assets and how to leverage technology during these uncertain times.

Jodi Joseph CA(SA), Divisional Executive, Caseware Africa

Bongeka Nodada CA(SA), Executive: Corporate Reporting, SAICA

13:40

POST-PANDEMIC OPPORTUNITIES: DEALS

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the business landscape in a significant and profound manner. So what are the opportunities in specific industries for an entrepreneur-minded finance person with an appetite for risk?

One case study that we’ll consider is how an Aveng subsidiary was awarded a A$600-million contract to deliver Tasmania’s largest-ever transport infrastructure project – the New Bridgewater bridge. We’ll look at how they closed the deal (despite being a more expensive tender) and gain insights into business strategy.

Phillip Kruger, Director: Legal, RSM

Adrian Macartney CA(SA), Group Finance Director, Aveng Group

HUMAN CAPITAL IN THE CLOUD

In this panel, we will discuss how the inevitable adoption of cloud-native technology impacts businesses by improving processes and automating operational efficiency, thus promoting healthier financial growth. This session will help unlock the bottleneck in Payroll & HR. Do join if you have a cloud strategy or are considering one.

Heinrich Swanepoel, Head of Sales, PaySpace
Debra Marais CA(SA), Group Chief Information Officer, Altron Limited
Lauren du Plooy, Director, Rae & Associates

14:20

MINI NETWORKING BREAK

14:40

DIGITAL TAX

Business internet transacting and e-commerce continues to raise questions on the right of countries to tax income derived therefrom – so digital tax is considered.

SARS is in the process of implementing third party reporting amounts vested by trusts, donations received by PBOs, on submissions of beneficial ownership and other areas with an ultimate real-time reporting required. This session will look to update you on what digital tax information needs to be considered for your business – both now and in the future.

Piet Nel CA(SA), Project Director: Tax, SAICA

Mark Kingon, Head: Stakeholder Relations, South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Colin Timmis, Country Manager South Africa, Xero

WELLNESS & FINANCE

Top 35 Awards Judge and CAMAF CEO Linky Olivier CA(SA) interviews 2 CAs, both previously in the Awards, and both making waves in South African industry. This session will look at careers, successes and failures, and how to lead teams in times of business and personal uncertainty. We’ll also explore the way technology can also drive essential personal needs, like creating community, as well as drive financial outcomes by making wellness and support more accessible to all and cost-effective for a business that is invested in the health and wellbeing of its employees.

Ashanika Perimal CA(SA), Head: Finance & Business Control, Sandvik

Mandy Muchnik CA(SA), Founder and CFO, Panda