Explore the future of finance transformation and innovation at Finance Transformation Summit NZ 2026, connecting leaders driving change through technology, data, and automation.
Delegates
Speakers
Sessions
Supporting the evolving needs of the business in 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
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Economist
General Manager Group Planning & Performance
GM Group Finance & Controller
Head of Finance
Head of Finance - Planning, Performance, Governance
General Manager Financial Planning & Analysis
Head of Finance
Featured Topics for the Day
View Agenda
8:30 am
Registration & Refreshments
9:00 am
Welcome Remarks
9:10 am
Attendee Spotlight
Discussing top strategies in finance to navigate persistant inflation, tax compliance and global market shocks
9:40 am
Opening Panel Discussion
Finance Leadership Priorities: Driving Strategic Growth and Transformation
Discussing top strategies for problem‑solving and strategic decision‑making in the current financial landscape
From crunching numbers to finance business partnering: Building board’s trust and strenghtening cross-functional relationships
Performing whilst transforming: Leading modern finance teams on a transformation journey
Upskilling and reskilling finance talent to thrive in Future AI‑driven and data‑enabled roles
Michelle Davis
Chief Financial Officer
Phoenix Recycling Group
Rachel Foster
Chief Financial Officer
DHL
Aman Charan
Chief Financial Officer
PPCS
Katrina Smidt
General Manager Finance
Watercare NZ
Angela Kneeshaw
Chief Financial Officer
BeGroup
10:20 am
Presentation
What High-Performing Finance Teams Do Differently with AI
Jon Hammersley
Director - Australia/New Zealand
OneStream Software
10:40 am
Morning Tea & Networking
11:10 am
Fireside Chat
Leading & Thriving in Times of Uncertainty
Positioning FP&A at the Centre of Strategic Decision-Making
Building Resilience Through Better Forecasting, Agility, and Finance Leadership
Building High-Performing Finance Teams for Challenges Ahead
Dale Dillicar
General Manager Financial Planning & Analysis
Fonterra
Juliet Greer
General Manager Group Planning & Performance
NZME
Michelle Teirney
Deputy Chief Executive Finance and Business Insights
Hato Hone St John
11:40 am
Panel Discussion
Strengthening Financial Controls & Reporting Accuracy to Support Operational Excellence
Building more robust internal controls in a fast‑evolving digital business environment
Boosting resilience to the evolving regulatory standards, audit compliance expectations, and ESG reporting requirements
Reducing systems complexity for more timely and accurate reporting
Maintaining clean balance sheets and improving processes across month‑end close activities
Jo Sawden
Head of Finance and Controls
Metlifecare
Natasha Fison
GM Group Finance & Controller
SkyCity Entertainment
Michelle Caldwell
Financial Controller
Bapcor NZ
Gillian Urquhart
Financial Controller NZ
JDE Peet's
Tracy Gers
Group Financial Controller
Auckland Council
Kumaren Perumal
Chief Financial Officer
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana
12:20 pm
Presentation
AI readiness: Why does it matter?
Amendra Pratap
Managing Director
Octane Solutions
12:40 pm
Lunch & Networking
1:30 pm
Panel Discussion
Evolving Role of FP&A: From Historical to Forward-Looking Insights
Aligning increasing business expectations with current FP&A capabilities: How is the role shifting and changing?
Improving forecasting agility in a highly disruptive and rapidly-changing landscape
Identifying new ways of adding more value through scenario planning from 2027 onwards
Using actionable data to enable smarter, faster and more accurate decision‑making:
Chris Minto
Head of Finance
AA Insurance
Katrina Florence
Head of Finance
Port of Auckland
Chun Leung
Head of Finance, Planning, Perfomance and Governance
Goodman Fielder
Louise Keene
Head of Finance (CFO)
Les Mills New Zealand
2:10 pm
Presentation
Beyond Borders, Beyond Control: Navigating AI Driven fraud and global payment risk
Thomas Colfer
Commercial Director
Efsure
2:30 pm
Afternoon Tea & Networking
2:50 pm
Closing Keynote
A Snapshot Into the Future of New Zealand’s Economy in a Local and International Market
Jarrod Kerr
Chief Economist
Kiwibank.
