Russian CFO Summit

Adam Smith Conferences would like to thank all speakers, sponsors and attendees for their participation in the 8th annual Russian CFO Summit, which took place from 24th – 27th October at the Renaissance Moscow Monarch Centre Hotel.

Over 400 attendees took part in the work of the Summit, drawn from 25 major cities and regions of Russia and from 10 countries. The widest range of industries was represented – from energy to telecoms, insurance to pharmaceuticals and metals & mining to real estate.

The possible impact of the eurozone financial turmoil on the Russian economy was, as anticipated, high up the agenda of discussions. However there was one very clear conclusion – corporate Russia is very well equipped and prepared to deal with the consequences. The CFO community has put in extensive work and gained invaluable experience having guided their companies through the difficult times of 2008-2009.

The 60-strong speaker faculty was equally divided between the well-established CFOs, who are well-known to the community, and those up-and-coming CFOs who are gaining the respect of their peers.

Companies whose CFOs addressed the Summit for the first time included: Uralkali, ChelPipe, Russian Helicopters, Detsky Mir, Fazer Group, Informa plc, Unilever, RTI, A1 Group, Skolkovo, Severstal, Pulkovo, INTER RAO UES, E.ON and Danone-Unimilk.

Amongst the ever-popular regular speakers were the CFOs of such companies as: Kaspersky Labs, Aeroflot, MTS, Nordea, Promstroi-Group, AFI Development, AVTOVAZ, SUEK, Rosatom, Basic Element, Eurochem, Shell, SAP and Euroset.

It is difficult to pick out just some of the many highlights of the Summit, but the memorable moments included:

- Guest international CFO presentations by Jouni Grönroos of Fazer Group and Adam Walker of Informa plc;
- A very timely Guest Economic Lecture, delivered by Roland Nash, Chief Strategist of Verno Capital. Sergei Arsenyev of Goldman Sachs also gave an invaluable view of the outlook for corporate Russia;
- Nikolai Tsekhomsky, CEO of Barclays Bank Russia, gave a thought-provoking and entertaining insight into how to make the step from CFO to CFO. It was particularly appreciated that Nikolai found the time to join us the day after the sale of the bank was announced;
- A lively CFO panel discussion, co-hosted by Maria Stroeva of RBC-TV and featuring the CFOs of Kaspersky Lab, Euroset, Skolkovo, SAP and Detsky Mir;
- A well-attended and enjoyable Gala Evening and wine-tasting, kindly hosted by Simple Group of Companies;
- A pre-summit Seminar on How to effectively manage in changing times, run by Stanislav Krause of the Adizes Institute.

The 9th annual Russian CFO Summit is scheduled for 23rd – 25th October 2012 in Moscow. To learn about preparations for the event and how you may get involved, do contact, Stephen Butler, Director and Founder of the Summit on: +44 20 7017 7450 or at: stephen@adamsmithconferences.com .

Do also look out for further events in the CFO series in the first half of 2012 including a CFO Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner and one more topical conference for the finance function.