The role of the CFO is shifting beyond the traditional set of responsibilities. More and more financial executives are talking about the growing pressure on them to have a handle on a range of issues, from technology to people and strategy. This accelerating demand on finance professionals of all levels to evolve and add more value to their organisations is coupled with a rapidly increasing demand for quality peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities. CFO South Africa is in intent on meeting this demand through events, dinners and print and online content. One of these events is the CFO Summit, which brings together leading minds to interrogate pertinent topics and has been expanded to encompass three learning tracks this year. We spoke to CFO South Africa MD Graham Fehrsen to find out more about the Summits.
How do the Summits differ from previous events?
"We've had feedback from CFOs that although our learning platform is world class we're often only touching a particular topic once a year. In response to this, we are widening the learning opportunities by running up to three tracks at each Summit (there will be six in 2017) allowing CFOs greater choice and depth of learning. The essence of our community is built around three pillars, learning, network and career, and these will not change. Judging by the response we had at Finance Indaba Africa 2016, the year ahead promises to be even better."
Do you want to be at the leading edge of finance and business? You can't afford to miss out on the opportunity to hear from finance leaders and experts if you want success, inspiration and profitability in 2017! One of the tracks for the first CFO Summit of the year. to be held on 22 February in Sandton, is entitled Technology for tomorrow: Dooms day or opportunity? The truth about cyber crime. Register here.
How does membership tie in with this (and what other exclusive stuff do members get)?
"Our events are reserved for senior finance executives and as part of our efforts to grow the South African finance community, we ask CFOs and FDs to become members. In addition to guaranteed access to the Summits and CFO Awards, membership offers finance executives opportunities to join our exclusive dinners, be part of member events (we have some great events lined up in 2017, which will be publicised shortly) and lean on the network for peer-to-peer engagements, mentoring and talent sourcing. In 2016, we launched a corporate membership that allowed finance executives to bring up to three direct reports to learning events and networking which, based on the feedback to date, should prove a popular option in 2017."
What are CFO SA's goals with the Summits for 2017? Why should CFOs attend?
"Our goal with the 2017 Summits is to bring CFOs together to share know-how and insight in a dynamic and enjoyable environment. We will supplement this with world-class insights from our partners (Standard Bank is already confirmed for 2017) and ensure that CFOs are able to make the most of what will be a challenging year. CFOs should come along if they want to learn from their peers and stay at the forefront of their profession and business."
