3 September 2026 | Sydney | Swissotel
Expanding the Scope of Finance
Strategy | Resilience | Impact
The role of the finance function has fundamentally evolved. Today’s CFOs are not just managing budgets, but juggling a plethora of priorities from deploying autonomous technology systems, to navigating geopolitical uncertainty and positioning finance as a strategic business partner for growth.
The 12th annual Finance Leaders Forum brings together Australia’s brightest finance leaders for an intensive day of meaningful connections and solution-based insights to explore the most pressing challenges facing the finance function today. With strategy and tactics at its core, the event will equip Delegates with the tools and skills needed for scaling digital innovation, building organisational resilience and addressing the expanding scope of finance for the era of disruption.
Why Attend
- 1Unrivaled Expertise
- 2High-Calibre Content
- 3Invaluable Networking Opportunities
2026 speakers
Danielle Wood
Chair
Danielle Wood commenced a 5-year term as Chair of the Productivity Commission on 13 November 2023.
Prior to joining the Commission, she was CEO of the Grattan Institute and Head of its Budgets and Government Program. During her time at Grattan, Danielle also held roles as member of the Australian Government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, the Parliamentary Budget Office Expert Advisory Committee, the Jobs and Skills Australia Consultative Forum and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Research Committee.
Danielle previously worked in senior roles at the ACCC and at NERA Economic Consulting. She started her career as a graduate at the Productivity Commission.
Danielle holds an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Adelaide and two Masters degrees, one in Economics and one in Competition Law, from the University of Melbourne.
Danielle is an Honorary Fellow and former President of the Economic Society of Australia and a Research Fellow of the Women’s Leadership Institute. She was the co-founder and first Chair of the Women in Economics Network.
She is currently an ex-officio member of the Australian Government’s Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel.
Stephanie Carroll
Chief Financial Officer
Sarah Court
Deputy Chair
Sarah Court has held senior statutory appointments across influential and economy-wide economic and corporate regulators for more than 17 years. She is currently Deputy Chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Sarah has held this role since June 2021.
ASIC is the national regulator responsible for regulating financial markets, securities, futures and corporations as well as consumer protection in relation to superannuation, insurance and banking. Sarah leads the Commission’s enforcement and investigation work, and contributes extensively to strategic priority setting, statutory decision-making and leadership across the agency on a range of complex legal and strategic issues. Sarah’s key-focus areas include enforcement, scams, small business, insolvency, climate disclosure and greenwashing. She also represents ASIC on significant national boards including the Council of Financial Regulators and the National Anti-Scam Centre Steering Group. Internationally, Sarah participates in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Committee for Financial Markets and Corporate Governance Committee.
Prior to joining ASIC, Sarah was a Commissioner at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for three terms. The ACCC is the national competition and consumer protection regulator. Sarah has also held senior positions at the Australian Government Solicitor where she led national teams in government litigation including restrictive trade practices, competition and consumer law, administrative law, employment law and law enforcement litigation.
Sarah has held board positions with the Law School and Centre for Regulation and Market Analysis at the University of South Australia.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts (Jurisprudence) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Adelaide, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Tim Fawaz
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Tim joined Craveable Brands as Chief Financial and Operating Officer in 2022 (he is presently Interim Group CEO until a permanent appointment is announced). Prior to this, Tim was CFO of Moelis Australia Hotel Management which managed five property-based stapled pub funds on behalf of retail and wholesale investors. Other roles include CFO and COO for ASX listed City Chic Collective Ltd (ASX: CCX), formerly Specialty Fashion Group (ASX: SFH), CEO of EziBuy (an online fashion and homeware retailer based in NZ) and CFO of Big W. Tim’s professional qualifications include a Bachelor of Business in Accounting (Monash University), Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and an MBA from the University of Technology Sydney.
Sam Nagra
Chief Financial Officer
David Chapman
Chief Financial Officer - Greater Asia Pacific
David is the CFO of Lenovo for Greater Asia Pacific, overseeing the PC, Datacentre/Server, and Motorola business units. With over 20 years of experience in the Telco and IT sectors across both Asia Pacific and EMEA, he is passionate about driving technology that empowers people and adopting a solutions-driven approach to business.
Claire Machin
Chief Financial Officer Pacific
Paul Stevenage
Group Chief Financial Officer
John Stevenson
Chief Financial Officer
John is an experienced executive leader with a career spanning listed companies, private enterprises, and multinational firms across Australia and Asia. As Chief Financial Officer at Aspen Medical, he is responsible for overseeing the company’s financial health, leading its financial and accounting functions, and working closely with the Executive team to provide strategic insights, safeguard assets and drive sustainable growth across global operations.
With a deep understanding of financial governance, John has led strategic and cultural transformation programs in diverse commercial and not-for-profit environments. His expertise includes tailoring financial and governance processes for organisations operating in both mature and developing markets, including remote locations and culturally complex settings.
John spent two decades in both Indonesia and Singapore, holding senior leadership roles in listed and large family-owned businesses as well as global accounting firms. His experience in these markets has shaped his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and implement best-practice governance structures.
A seasoned board director with experience on national and international boards, John is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and the Governance Institute of Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy from Queensland University of Technology and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Geoff Greenberg
Chief Financial Officer
Geoff is an experienced finance executive with over 20 years in CFO, company director and senior management positions across the retail, FMCG and media sectors.
Yudhajeet Banerjee
Head of Strategic Delivery Australia & New Zealand
Stefan Szaruk
Head of Finance
Lucy Cavallaro
Head of Commercial Finance
Speakers
Keynotes
and Development
Environment
Content by leaders, for leaders
Our cutting-edge content is carefully researched and curated in step with the expertise and insights of Connect Media’s vast network of industry specialists. Timely and uniquely tailored, our content ignites innovation, addresses leading industry challenges, all while delivering the skills and tools needed to achieve business excellence in the future.
Agenda
Forging an Autonomous Finance Function: Automation & Operational Excellence
- How has technology changed your scenario planning capabilities today?
- What is your approach to FinOps and managing cloud spend?
- How are you using technology to transform your teams from transactional processors into strategic advisors?
- What are your digital transformation priorities for the coming year?
From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Balancing Data, ESG & Disclosures
- How are you ensuring data quality and security as technology expands access across your organisation?
- Where is your business currently on ESG reporting?
- What’s changing in your disclosure requirements for 2026?
- How are you navigating varying ESG standards and data regulations regionally
The Evolving Role of Finance: Strategy, People & Influence
- How do you balance cost optimisation with growth investment in practice?
- How do you maintain business focus today when ‘everything is a priority’?
- How are you recruiting talent from non-traditional backgrounds?
- What future skills and capabilities are you prioritising as finance evolves?
What’s included in my delegate pass
Access to Full Event Program
Exclusive Networking Opportunities
Executive Insights & Event Content
Delegate registration is strictly for in-house CFO’s and financial professionals. If you are a Service Provider, please email josephb@connectmedia.com to discuss your involvement.
Registrations will be reviewed for the correct rate, Connect Media reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone not paying the correct rate. Furthermore, we will not be responsible for travel costs if you do not pay the correct rate.
Join Our Invitation List
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Our 2025 Partners
Become A Partner
The Finance Leaders Forum is Australia’s premier event for in-house CFO’s and financial professionals. We focus on actionable insights and real-world solutions by bringing together the leading voices shaping the sector. Every year we refine our event model to unlock greater value for our partners and to ensure that our delegation’s expectations are exceeded.
Whether you’re looking for brand visibility, lead generation or exclusive event networking opportunities, our sponsorship packages are tailor made and designed to maximise your ROI.
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what these opportunities could look like for you and your brand.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Joe Burgess
Partnership Executive
Tel: +61 412 750 628
Email: josephb@connectmedia.com
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
Tel: +61 2 8004 8590
Email: team@connectmedia.com
Connect with these companies attending
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with the industry’s most prominent brands at The Finance Leaders Forum. Explore the companies already confirmed and secure your chance to network with the best in the business.
Venue & Accommodation
Swissotel Sydney
68 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s included in my delegate pass?
A Delegate Pass includes access to all sessions, refreshment breaks, networking lunches, and access to provided speaker presentations. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. One delegate ticket is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not registered.
Is there a group booking discount?
Yes – groups of 3 people or more are entitled to a discount. Full discount information is available on our registration page. If you have any questions about how group bookings work, please contact team@connectmedia.com
Can I transfer my pass?
A delegate pass is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. A substitute delegate is welcome at any time prior to the event, provided the request is made in writing to team@connectmedia.com
How do I receive my delegate pass?
Following the completion of your registration, you will receive an email confirmation. We will contact you via email the day prior to the event with a QR code, to make your arrival as seamless as possible have your QR e-ticket ready and visible on your device.
Is media registration available?
No, this is a closed and confidential event. Media registrations are not available.
Cancellation Policy:
A full refund less a $250 (GST Inclusive) processing fee is applicable on cancellation requests made in writing within 10 days of registration. No refunds are available for cancellations made more than 10 days after registration. Where Connect Media is required to reschedule the event in the interest of the event partner’s and guests, your pass will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled dates. Should Connect Media be unable to offer, deliver or fulfil any engagement within 12 months, you will be entitled to a full refund.
What is a Service Provider?
A service provider refers to an individual or organisation who supplies products and/or services to the primary audience of the event.
Will there be a delegate list available?
No, Connect Media does not provide delegate lists to attendees.
Fraudulent activities
We’ve been alerted to instances of companies proposing to purchase and sell lists of attendees for our events. Please be assured, we do not engage in the sale or distribution of event-related data. Such companies have no association with us, and we are actively working to halt these deceptive practices.
Regrettably, this type of scam is not uncommon in the media industry. Any information purported to originate from our events and offered by a third party would be completely fabricated. Should you have doubts about the legitimacy of a potential supplier, we urge you to contact us directly.
For any additional questions please contact us on 02 8004 8590 or team@connectmedia.com.
Terms and Conditions
Delegate Pass:
Delegate Pass includes access to all sessions, refreshment breaks, networking lunches, networking drinks reception, and access to approved speaker presentations/on demand content. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. One delegate ticket is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not registered.
Digital Pass (only applicable for digital events):
A digital pass is valid for the use of 1 user and provides access to live content, inclusive of all keynotes, and sessions. The pass also includes access to approved speaker presentations/on demand content; this will be available to you via email in the week following the event. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. Access must not be shared by multiple user’s or redistributed in any way. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny access to anyone who is found violating the above terms.
Payment & Discounts:
Only one promotional discount code can be applied per registrant. All prices and promotions are valid at the time of purchase only and may not be redeemed after the point of purchase.
Registrations will be reviewed for the correct rate, Connect Media reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone not paying the correct rate. Furthermore, we will not be responsible for travel costs if you do not pay the correct rate.
Organiser’s Rights:
Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd endeavours to ensure the conference programme and speaker line-up is correct at the time of the event. All advertised details are correct at time of publishing. Due to unforeseen circumstances Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd reserves the right to alter the programme prior to the event without notice. We also reserve the right to cancel or postpone the event. Where Connect Media is unable to run the event in the next 12 months (from the date of the event), you will be entitled to a full refund. In the unlikely event that it is cancelled or postponed, no compensation will be provided for cancelled/amended travel arrangements.
Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd reserves the right to deny access to any individual that engages in or is alleged to engage in practices that are considered unprofessional and inappropriate for a business conference. We reserve the right to deny access to delegates that may affect the client / vendor ratio of attendance in favour of the interests of sponsors and commercial partners of the event.
In registering for this event, delegates grant permission to Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd to take and to have full and free use of video/photographs containing their image/likeness for promotional use. Should a delegate not agree to the above image release, they must advise team@connectmedia.com.
Cancellation Policy:
A substitute delegate is welcome at any time provided the request is made in writing. A full refund less a $250 (GST Inclusive) processing fee is applicable on cancellation requests made in writing within 10 days of registration. No refunds are available for cancellations made more than 10 days after registration. Where Connect Media is required to reschedule the event in the interest of the event partner’s and guests, your pass will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled dates. Should you be provided with a credit note at the discretion of the event organisers, this credit is valid for the specified amount of passes, and not the monetary value. Should Connect Media be unable to offer, deliver or fulfil any engagement within 12 months, you will be entitled to a full refund.
Event Delivery:
In case of a change in government restrictions and advice, Connect Media reserves the right to make the decision to deliver the event completely digital, or completely in person. Should you hold a different pass, you are entitled to move your registration to digital/in person, or receive a credit for the following edition of the event.
Privacy Disclosure:
We take your privacy seriously. Information collected on this registration will be held in the strictest of confidence on a secure database. This information may be used in order to contact you regarding future events, product development and services offered. If you do not wish to be contacted please email team@connectmedia.com. To view our full privacy policy please visit: https://dashboard.connectmedia.com/privacy-policy/.