About this session

Modern CFO roles no longer revolve around financial stewardship and risk management alone. CFOs are now navigators through volatile capital markets, drivers of technological adoption, and champions of ESG initiatives. They are evolving into strategic business leaders, with 75% reporting increased influence in the boardroom over the past five years (Deloitte).

This transformation comes at a time of economic uncertainty and fast-changing supplier dynamics. CFOs are increasingly turning to advanced analytics to anticipate disruptions, uncover growth opportunities, and optimize decision-making. By leveraging data and emerging technologies, forward-thinking CFOs can improve operational efficiency and ensure their organizations remain agile and profitable amid constant change.

This report, CFO Agenda 2025: Insights and Trends for Finance, uncovers the top priorities and challenges of Europe’s leading Finance leaders as well as the emerging and future technologies that will shape the finance world in the next five years. In addition, this report will include valuable and inspirational insights on leadership by world-renowned thought leaders.  

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• 80% of CFOs are prioritizing finance digitalization and optimizing financial reporting to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• 70% of senior finance leaders are looking into automation, with 26% adopting AI and 4% exploring robotics to enhance productivity.
• Top security priorities include cybersecurity regulation (27%), certification (22%), and business continuity planning (18%).
• While ESG is not a current priority for most finance leaders, they are taking strides to ensure accurate and transparent reporting to comply with growing European regulations.
• The finance function faces ongoing talent gaps, from senior leadership roles to critical support staff positions.