02 Sep, 2026
Finance Transformation Summit NSW 2026
ICC Sydney: International Convention & Exhibition Centre

Join leaders at Finance Transformation VIC 2026 to explore finance transformation, technology, and automation.
Delegates
Speakers
Sessions
Supporting the evolving needs of the business in the times of constant change.
This summit is bringing together senior leaders to connect and explore best practices for finance transformation in controllership, reporting, planning and forecasting.
As finance leaders continue to manage risk in today’s challenging economic market, resilience, change and strategic decision-making sit at the centre of business continuity.
This event will address top priorities for shaping the next phase of finance leadership. Focusing on innovative case studies and real life examples that help support businesses to achieve operational excellence in a world of constant change.
Meet our Speakers
Featured Topics for the Day
View Agenda
8:30 am
Registration & Refreshments
9:00 am
Welcome Remarks
9:10 am
Attendee Spotlight
Attendee Spotlight
AI Outlook: How AI Is Reshaping the Way Finance Teams Will Work in 2030
9:40 am
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
CFO Leadership Priorities for 2026: Driving Strategic Growth and Building Business Resilience
Stronger problem‑solving and decision‑making: moving from crunching numbers to strategic finance business partnering
Navigating uncertainty with limited capital and resources
Performing whilst Transforming: Leading modern finance teams on a digital transformation journey
Upskilling and reskilling finance talent to thrive in AI‑driven, data‑enabled roles

Severine Yerriah
Chief Financial Officer
Lion

Mahendra Tharmarajah
Chief Financial Officer
AirTasker

Byron Bassett
Chief Financial Officer
Unilever

Francoise Merit
Chief Financial Officer
Endeavour Energy
10:30 am
Case Study
Presentation
How AI is Transforming Finance Strategy & Operations
11:00 am
Morning Tea & Networking
Stream A: Finance Operations & Control
11:30 am
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Performing While Transforming: Leading Modern Finance Teams
Improving foundations to enable highly productivity & efficiency
From project to project: reducing change fatigue in a constant transformation environment
Building finance team capacity and capability to ensure a balanced approach to BAU and Strategic Stakeholder Engagement
Discussing top strategies to overcome resistance to change and ensure alignment across teams during a transfomation

Deborah Chapman
Chief Financial Officer
Infrastructure NSW

Kate Alpaugh
Chief Financial Officer
Shippit

Melissa Marshall
Chief Financial Officer
Mad Mex

Raji Venkatesan
Chief Financial Officer
Blackwoods
12:10 pm
Case Study
Presentation
Exploring the Evolving Risks in the Financial Fraud Landscape: Securing Finance Operations
Stream B: Finance Planning & Analysis
11:30 am
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Transforming Finance Business Partnering for Strategic Decision-Making
Supporting business continuity through data‑driven insights in reporting
Upskilling finance teams to communicate and storytell with influence
Bridging accounting skill sets with commercial acumen and technical knowledge
Positioning finance partnering and capital planning at the centre of excellence
12:10 pm
Case Study
Presentation
Uplifting Financial Forecasting Accuracy Through Digital Twins
12:30 pm
Lunch & Networking
1:10 pm
Interactive Workshops
Stream A: Finance Operations & Control
2:00 pm
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Strengthening Financial Controls & Reporting Accuracy to Support Operational Excellence
Building more robust internal controls in a fast‑evolving digital business environment
Reducing systems complexity to enhance financial, accounting, and reporting accuracy
Maintaining clean balance sheets and improving processes across month‑end close activities
Boosting resilience to the evolving regulatory standards, audit expectations, and ESG reporting requirements
2:40 pm
Case Study
Presentation
The Next Phase of Finance Transformation: Systems Consolidation & Automated Workflows
Stream B: Financial Planning & Analysis
2:00 pm
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Evolving FP&A: From Historical to Forward-Looking Insights
Improving forecasting agility in a rapidly-changing consumer, retail and media landscape
Identifying new ways of doing financial analysis and scenario planning in complex markets
Using actionable financial data to enable smarter, faster decision‑making
Influencing cost savings through timely reporting and effective storytelling strategies

Chris Darby
Head of FP&A
Domain

Alicia Bezkhmelnitsyn
Head of FP&A
EatClub

Malinda Dharmadasa
Director FP&A
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia

Tim Regitz
Group Director Finance & Data Analytics
ALDI
2:40 pm
Case Study
Presentation
Quality Data & Quality Decision-Making: What Sets Advanced FP&A Apart from the Traditional One?
3:00 pm
Afternoon Break & Networking
3:20 pm
Fireside Chat
Closing Fireside Chat
The Future of Australia’s Economic Climate: Navigating Inflation and Maintaining Growth
Exploring trends shaping external disruptions, property markets, inflation, and interest rates
Examining policy impacts and their implications for Australia’s economic growth in 2026 and beyond
Understanding why Asia‑Pacific economies are critical to Australia’s long‑term strategic growth
Sharing insights on population growth, employment trends, and infrastructure investment

Nerida Conisbee
Chief Economist
Ray White

Jonathan Kearns
Chief Economist
Challenger



























