Government Finance Profession

TUESDAY 6^TH NOVEMBER

18:00 – 19:30

"Get to know your neighbour" - For those arriving early, an opportunity to meet your fellow delegates. All are welcome.

Pre-dinner seminar sponsored by Deloitte:  Matthew Syed - journalist, broadcaster and author of Bounce, a book described as “a must-read for anyone interested in the science of success”.

19:30 onwards

Dinner (DIY)

WEDNESDAY 7^TH NOVEMBER

9:00 – 10:15

Registration (check-in from lunchtime onwards), coffee and exhibition

10:15 - 11:00

Personal taxation update – Chris Jones (Lexis Nexis)

11:00 – 11:10

Introduction to Finance Leadership Group workshops (plenary) – Richard Douglas

11:10 – 13:00

Finance Leadership Group Workshops - Two rotations (50 minutes each and time to move rooms)

1. Benchmarking, Assessment and Best Practice - Peter Kane (HO)/Manj Kalar (CIPFA)/Kate Mathers (NAO)

We are working with the NAO and CIPFA to develop a common financial management (FM) assessment model. A group of Finance Directors is working collaboratively to identify examples of good practice and develop joint solutions to complete issues.  

2. Meaningful Management Information - Sue Higgins (DCLG), Valerie Vaughan-Dick (DCLG), David Rowsby (CIMA), Julian McCrae (IFG)

Valerie Vaughan-Dick will chair a panel discussion with input from Sue Higins (DCLG), Julian McCrae (IFG) and  David Rowsby (CIMA), looking at recent work on Management Information in Government, and sharing ideas about how it might be used and improved to ensure value for money for the taxpayer.

3. Cost Effective Finance and Shared Services - Howard Orme (BIS), Jonathan Preece (RCUK) and Richard Wilkinson (BIS) 

The Government has talked about Shared Services for a decade - need to inject pace and deliver on this key reform is clear. This interactive session will not only provide an insight into where we are on Shared Services but will also provide attendees with the opportunity to help influence the design of the finance operating framework of the future.  

4. Capabilities and Skills - Ann Beasley (MoJ) and Heidi Adcock (HMT) 

Capability is a key part of the civil service reform plan and finance is at the heart of this. This session covers two FTP work streams 'Developing thefinance profession' and 'Finance and commercial awareness for non finance professionals'. This will be an interactive session where you will gain an overview of the work streams. You'll also hear from finance professionals who have been on secondment to the private sector developing their commercial skills. This session will consider how you can develop your commercial skills and share your expertise with your partners in the business.   

5. HMT Spending Control: The Current Position and the Challenge Ahead - Julian Kelly (HMT) 

Understanding the Spending Control framework in the context of the current fiscal position, and what this means for the next Spending Review and challenges ahead.

6. Efficiency and Reform - Clare Moriarty (DfT) 

This session will take people through the three dimensions outlined in the paper on Spending Review Efficiency & Reform.

13:00 – 13:45

LUNCH

13:50 – 14:00

Welcome and themes – Richard Douglas, Head of the Government Finance Profession

14:00 – 14:30

The critical friend – Gerry Grimstone, Chairman, Standard Life, Lead NED MOD, NED, Deloitte 

14:30 – 15:10

Update on economic outlook - Mark Gregory, E&Y ITEM Club

15:10 – 15:40

BREAK

15:45 – 16:35

The role of Finance in driving Civil Service reform – Panel session

Mark Lowcock (Permanent Secretary (DFID), Paul Cleal (Government and Public Sector Lead - PWC), Michael Izza (CEO - ICAEW). Chaired by Sharon Evans

16:35 – 17:05

Future of the finance function – Professor Roland Kaye, Dean of BPP University and former President of CIMA

17:05 – 17:10

CLOSE and evening logistics – Richard Douglas

18:15 – 19:30

Pre-dinner refreshments on balcony above main conference room

19:30 – 22:00

Dinner and GFP Awards (no black tie)

THURSDAY 8^TH NOVEMBER

8:55 – 09:45

Institute updates:

Members Update - Claire Bennison and Helen Ripley (ACCA)

Communicating, Influencing and Working Collaboratively - Stephen Berry (CIMA)

Institute Update - Paul Mason and Manj Kalar (CIPFA)

ICAEW -  Jane Broadfoot and Sumita Shah

09:50 – 09:55

REVIEW and intros – Richard Douglas

09:55 – 10:25

 Keynote speech – Amyas Morse (C&AG - National Audit Office)

10:25 – 11:05

Developments in government financial reporting – Bruce Cowie (Kaplan)

11:05 – 11:30

BREAK

11:35 – 13:00

Department led workshops in collaboration with External Partners (Two 40 minute back to back sessions with time for room change):

World Class Business Cases - Joseph Lowe (HMT) and David Penhallurick (IUK)

Creating Greater Impact - Tony Joanes (DFT) and Peter Cawood (HAYS)

The session will consist of an overview on creating your personal brand as well as effective networking (led by Hays), followed by an overview of the Government Competency Framework (led by DfT). This session will conclude with an overview of how to impress at interview (led by DfT and Hays)  

New Business Models - Elaine Bailey (SERCO)

In a challenging marketplace, traditional delivery solutions no longer provide the service expected by consumers at a price that Government can afford. This session provides examples of some of the new solutions being offered by service providers to deliver innovative, high quality, responsive services at a value for money cost. Specific models include the Integrator model, management insertion, strategic partnerships and payment by results.  

13:00 – 13:45

LUNCH

13:50  - 14:30

Learning from the animals: mastering the art of working collaboratively – Steve Berry, CIMA

14:30 – 15:00

Tell us what you think – voting system versus key questions

15:00 – 16:00

Keynote (Q&A) – Michael Portillo

16:00 – 16:10

Reflections – Richard Douglas

16:10

TEA and networking

16:30

CLOSE