Winmark C-Suite Summer Drinks – Business State of the Nation: What Should Business Leaders Be Focusing On Today and in the Near Future?
Join Winmark for our annual Summer Drinks Reception and an engaging panel discussion exploring the current State of the Nation from a business leadership perspective. Our panel will discuss the major forces shaping the business environment, the implications for Boards and executive teams, and the practical actions leaders should be taking now to position their organisations for future success.
CHAIR
Keith Fraser, Vice Chair, Association of Chief Executives & Public Chairs’ Forum (ACE-PCF) Chair Youth Justice Board
SPEAKERS
Professor Charlotte Valeur, Non Executive Director, The Bankers Investment Trust PLC & Member of Primary Markets Group, London Stock Exhange Group | Catriona Woolner-Winders, Group Communications Director, Selfridges Group | Vesta Ratkevičiūtė, Commercial Attaché at the Lithuanian Embassy in the UK.
The CIO role demands so much more today than it ever has.
As complexity increases, the journey from tactical technology ownership to strategic enterprise value creator is not an easy one to navigate.
CIOs are the digital backbone of the organisation – the architect of its transformation and guardian of its resilience – and need to excel in the role of enterprise leadership.
At the conclusion of the Global CIO Academy (in partnership with UCL School of Management) GCIOA alumni, faculty and selected CIOs should join this informative session including Q&A.
Sharing her insights will be Caroline Sands, Partner and Head of the CIO & Technology Officers Practice at Odgers.
Caroline began her career in executive search in 2000 and has since developed a niche in the appointment of executive leaders focused on technology, digital, data, change and cyber security.
Prior to joining Odgers, Caroline operated in search within the IT services and management consultancy arena where she recruited Senior Managers through to Partner level.
SPEAKERS
Caroline Sands, Partner and Head of CIO & Technology Officers Practice, Odgers
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping business models, operating structures, workforce dynamics and competitive advantage — creating both opportunity and risk for Boards and Non-Executive Directors. This Chairs & NED discussion will explore how Boards should govern AI, the questions directors should be asking management teams, and how organisations can balance innovation, ethics, cybersecurity, regulation and long-term value creation.
CHAIR
Helene Usherwood, Senior Partner, Anderson Quigley
SPEAKERS
Matt Frank, Independent Advisor, former Chief AI & Innovation Officer, Telana | Ian Golding, Chief Digital Information & AI Officer, TC Group | Celia Pronto, Non-Executive Director & Remuneration Committee Chair, South East Water | Baroness Wendy Alexander, Chair, The Electrotechnical Joint Industry Board
We move online for the third meeting of the Tax Director Network AI Working Group. On what processes and outputs should tax teams focus their attention as far as deploying AI is concerned?
CFO AI Working Group – Meeting Three: People, Training and Culture
This third meeting of the CFO AI Working Group, focuses on how to develop the skills and behaviour of finance teams to develop the AI opportunity and manage the AI risks. How is knowledge best shared. What messages from above underpin the culture shift to support transition to an AI-enabled finance function.
Purpose – To help Chief Legal Officers lead the effective adoption of AI by building AI-capable legal teams, improving legal department performance, and partnering with the business on responsible AI use.
Purpose – To equip Chief Legal Officers to manage the legal and strategic implications of geopolitical crises, ensuring contractual resilience, regulatory compliance, and organisational sustainability.
Aimed at those aged 18-25, our One Day MBA for Young Adults is a great way to get a grounding in the key tools and concepts of a full MBA and put them in the context of real-world business challenges. Utilising practical exercises and thought leadership, the course is designed to expand your knowledge using the latest insights into business strategy, corporate governance and leadership.
Leading the Finance Department, Strategic Planning, Governance & Risk
This Masterclass is part of the Global CFO Academy and is delivered in collaboration with Bayes Business School, London.
This masterclass examines how CFOs can lead finance departments that deliver disciplined governance while actively shaping strategic direction. As expectations on finance continue to expand, the CFO must ensure the function is structured for control, clarity and performance — while enabling forward-looking planning and enterprise growth. The session focuses on building a finance capability that underpins effective strategic planning, strengthens governance frameworks, and enhances organisational credibility. Topics include:
• The CFO’s leadership role in strategy and governance
• Structuring the finance function for control, insight and impact
• Integrating financial planning with enterprise strategy
• Strengthening governance, risk oversight and accountability
• Developing capability, succession and leadership depth
• Budgeting and resource allocation aligned to strategic priorities
Designed for CFOs seeking to lead high-performing finance departments with authority, discipline and long-term impact.
This is for Global CFO Academy Delegates only, to find out more or become involved please contact Sandy Markwick (sandy.markwick@winmarkglobal.com)
SPEAKERS
Paul Sheriff, COO/CFO, New Day | Ian Brimicombe, Group CFO, Abercrombie & Kent
