Deloitte brings together Middle East finance leaders at CFO Academy in Riyadh

Deloitte Middle East brought together finance executives from across the region for its Next Generation CFO Academy, a two-day leadership programme designed to prepare emerging finance leaders for the evolving demands of the Chief Financial Officer role.

Held at the Mandarin Oriental, Riyadh, on September 15 and 16, the programme formed part of Deloitte’s broader CFO Program and regional leadership development initiatives.

The academy combined interactive learning with insights from Deloitte experts and senior business and performance leaders. Participants explored the broader capabilities required of modern CFOs, including strategic leadership, transformation and technology adoption.

CFO role expands beyond financial management

As organisations across the Middle East undergo digital and business transformation, the responsibilities of CFOs are increasingly extending beyond financial stewardship and management of the finance function.

CFOs are increasingly expected to contribute to enterprise strategy, lead transformation programmes and support organisational change.

Javed Iqbal, Partner and CFO Program Leader at Deloitte Middle East, said: “The CFO role is changing rapidly. Future finance leaders need to combine strong financial stewardship with the ability to drive transformation, embrace technology, and contribute meaningfully to enterprise strategy.”

He added that the academy aims to help emerging leaders develop a broader perspective and prepare for the expanding responsibilities of the CFO role.

Academy explores future finance leadership

The two-day programme included sessions such as ‘The Four Faces of Finance’ and ‘Leading Change in Finance Transformation’.

Participants also discussed business chemistry, culture transformation and the challenges finance leaders can face during their first year as CFOs.

Elective sessions covered the changing role of finance functions, cost pressures, digital and ERP transformation, artificial intelligence and the development of future finance talent.

The programme also incorporated perspectives from outside the traditional finance sector, with Olympic medal winner and presenter Jan van der Bij leading a session on leadership and developing a winning mindset.

James Smith, Partner, Assurance and Deputy Dean of the Next Generation CFO Academy at Deloitte Middle East, said: “Becoming an effective CFO requires more than technical expertise. It requires the ability to lead, challenge, and make decisions in an increasingly complex environment.”

He said the academy provides future finance leaders with opportunities to broaden their perspectives, exchange knowledge and develop the judgement required at C-suite level.

Deloitte closes Next Generation CIO & CISO Academy

Before the CFO Academy began, Deloitte also hosted the closeout of its Next Generation CIO & CISO Academy in Riyadh on September 14.

The closeout brought together participants from the programme held in Muscat in February, allowing technology and cybersecurity leaders to reconnect, exchange experiences and discuss how they had applied their learnings within their organisations.

The session was led by Deloitte Middle East leaders Eliza Lozan, Partner and Privacy Governance & Compliance Leader; Hesham El Attar, Partner – Cyber; and Dr Fareed Aslam, Management Consultant.

Focus on developing regional leadership talent

Patrycja Oselkowska, Partner and Middle East Growth Leader at Deloitte, said: “Developing the next generation of leaders is critical to the Middle East’s continued transformation.”

She added that investing in high-potential professionals can help organisations develop the leadership capabilities required to navigate future changes.

The Next Generation CFO Academy forms part of Deloitte Middle East’s wider leadership development initiatives, which focus on continued learning, knowledge exchange and professional networks for emerging regional leaders.