International Accounting Forum & Awards 2023

The 12th annual event will bring together accounting firms along with regulators and industry bodies, consultancies and advisors, law firms, and technology providers to discuss the key themes impacting the sector and the opportunities for growth

29

June

  • Leonardo Royal Hotel London City
  • Invitation only

Why attend?

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2023?

The 12th International Accounting Forum & Awards 2023 (formerly Digital Accountancy Forum & Awards) is the meeting place for learning, collaboration, and strategies for growth and acceleration in the accounting sector.

200+

Attendees to meet each year

15+

Exhibitors to meet each year

20+

Speakers

80%

Attendees at Director+ level

200+

Attendees to meet each year

15+

Exhibitors to meet each year

20+

Speakers

80%

Attendees at Director+ level

International Accounting Forum & Awards 2022

Agenda

  • 29 Jun 2023
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8 AM

Registration

8:50 AM

Chair’s opening remarks

SESSION ONE: Overcoming challenges and striving for growth

9 AM

Looking forward: global forecast for the accountancy landscape

  • Driving market growth amid global disruptors
  • Managing record-high inflation and recessionary fears and their impact on the business bottom line
  • Accelerating digital investment in line with delivering consumer experience to boost supply chain management
  • Preparing for industry predictions for 2023

Session Reserved for Deloitte

9:20 AM

Facing the realities of increased regulation: what this means for the future practising accountants

  • Overcoming challenges surrounding increased complexities on compliance reporting
  • Increased accountant liability: streamlined software solutions
  • Learning from mistakes: methodology and tools to evaluate reporting risk

Session available

 

9:40 AM

How to ensure the firm business model is future ready

  • Pushing the industry to rethink the firm business model and asses the implications on the future landscape of accountancy
  • How changing client needs are forcing the need for a new way to do business
  • Creating an ideal environment for talent retention, rewards and incentives
  • Identifying the opportunities to develop and nurture talent
  • Looking to private equity consolidation as a response to the profession’s talent shortages

Speakers

10 AM

Coordinating client business in the digital world

  • Control the chaos of managing client business to drive operational efficiency and deliver an exceptional experience - with your own secure, private channel
  • Learn how to accelerate client business and streamline client interaction workflows with clients, partners, and vendors
  • Extend your mobile or web app through digital interaction workspaces to reduce costs and increase client retention - with white-glove privacy, bank-grade security and compliance.
  • Manage staff to KPIs, roles and permissions, and seamlessly transfer client accounts - with a complete audit trail

Speakers

10:20 AM

Panel Discussion

Sharing strategies to overcome challenges and strive for growth

Speakers

10:40 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

SESSION TWO: Levelling up digital transformation

11:10 AM

Putting diversity and inclusion at the forefront of the accountancy practice policy framework

  • What progress has been made in the industry as a whole and why is it still an ongoing challenge?
  • Unlocking the potential of a diverse accountancy profession: practical ways to achieve this goal
  • How can accountancy firms take the lead in promoting a fully diverse and inclusive hiring and representative workplace? Gender, backgrounds, skillsets including using neurodiverse metrics
  • Forward-thinking case studies

Speakers

11:30 AM

Building relationships with business owners in the drive to increase profit and reclaim freedom

  • Elena’s proven six-step strategic method for growing the value of a business, retaining more net profits and improving net cashflow
  • The absolute need for financial literacy in the modern practice
  • Educating the client and ensuring informed decisions
  • Being financially aware and turning your business around

Speakers

11:50 AM

Taking resource management to the next level with AI and automation

Exploring the latest developments in AI-powered resource management software, discover:

  • How AI is reshaping the competitive landscape for accounting firms
  • Why firms are leveraging automation for strategic-decision making
  • The ultimate blueprint for resource management transformation to inform
    your digitalisation strategy

Speakers

12:10 PM

Are you prepared for the data-driven audit?

94% of accountants believe automation can help them with business tasks but only 45% have plans to progress their digital transformation. With vast industry experience and testimony from accountants on the ground, Jeff will answer:

  • What is the tech state of play in the accounting and audit space?
  • How can technology positively equip practitioners and avoid another ‘great resignation’?
  • How can accurate and timely accounting data improve audit quality, speed and efficiency?
  • What does this mean for future services and capabilities of firms

Speakers

12:30 PM

Panel Discussion

How to level up digital transformation?

 

Speakers

12:50 PM

Lunch and networking

SESSION THREE: Building resilient and conscious culture

1:50 PM

How organisational culture impacts your clients

  • Actual vs perceived culture
  • Examples
  • How you as an individual impact culture

Speakers

2:10 PM

Navigating everchanging ESG principles for the modern practice

  • Seismic change in the ESG reporting landscape through creation of the IFRS International Sustainability Standards Board
  • Preparing for a new era of ESG reporting and standards in the industry
  • Recognising and preventing greenwashing to attract and retain investors
  • Improving transparency on meeting SDGs and business initiatives

Session available

 

2:30 PM

Accounting for society’s values

  • Accountancy sector aligning with ESG’s impact on society
  • Spotlight on the role of the accountant and how they diversify advisory services to fulfil the ‘S’ credentials
  • Highlighting the sustainability agenda to enable socially aware business practice
  • New debates on ESG fundamentals

 

Speakers

2:50 PM

Enhancing customer experience with appropriate tools and techniques

  • The importance of delivering efficient communications and controls: a pragmatic analysis of the user journey
  • Pioneering the client portal technology that enhances client engagement
  • Connecting the back-end and front-end platforms to provide optimum customer experience

Speakers

3:10 PM

Panel Discussion

How to build resilient and conscious culture?

 

 

Speakers

3:30 PM

Mid-Afternoon Refreshments

SESSION FOUR: Strategies to boost efficiency and grow business

4 PM

Consolidation gaining momentum: what does the infusion of private equity into accountancy firms foretell for the industry?

  • Embracing private equity’s outsider perspective to grow business and increase revenue
  • Approaching M&A with caution to ensure focus on quality remains paramount
  • Strategizing effectively to avoid possible threats to independence
  • Managing the growing pressures on mergers - are the ambitious growth targets realistic?

Session reserved for HLB International

4:20 PM

Optimising financial outsourcing for growing companies

  • Working in partnership to gain efficiencies and open new markets
  • Scalable platform – ensure your software platform can support your clients’ growth
  • Becoming self-sufficient – reliance on a vendor will slow you down
  • Scalable licencing – ensuring your software partner’s licencing works as you grow

Speakers

4:40 PM

The importance for all of us in promoting Accountancy as a career as part of the ‘war for talent’

Speakers

5 PM

Closing panel – Uncovering strategies to boost efficiency and grow business

Speakers

5:50 PM

Drinks Reception

6:50 PM

Awards Ceremony and Dinner

Speakers

Select a speaker to learn more

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Francesca Lagerberg
CEO, Baker Tilly

Francesca is the CEO of Baker Tilly International. She was appointed to the role on 1 June 2022 and is responsible for the network operations for Baker Tilly International, a top ten global accounting network, with member firms in over 140 territories.

Francesca has 30 years of experience in professional services, including working in global networks, specialising in cross-border and international business support, with a focus on growth. She has senior leadership experience in mid-market firms and began her career in a Big 4 firm. Her roles have also included Global head of tax, legal, risk, mergers and acquisitions and people & culture.  She has led teams based around the world. She has also worked in industry and won awards in the fields of international accounting, private client work and professional lecturing.

She has frequently commented on TV, radio and in the press on global developments and the need for diversity of thinking, especially to encourage a broader range of people to take on senior roles and create an environment that helps support this aim. She has sat on several UK Government committees and played an active role in the work of the ICAEW and the CIOT.

Francesca is a qualified lawyer, chartered accountant and tax adviser. She lives in the south of England with her husband, three children and two dogs.

Session Details:

The importance for all of us in promoting Accountancy as a career as part of the ‘war for talent’

2023-06-29, 4:40 PM

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Samantha Louis
CEO, Praxity Global Alliance

Samantha Louis is Chief Executive Officer of Praxity Global Alliance, joining in June 2021 from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants where she was Vice President in charge of International Advocacy. She’s an experienced leader and prior to her moving to London she was Regional Vice President for Africa at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) where she directed the growth of the member and student population in Africa from 2,000 to over 25,000 and led the expansion of CIMA into Southern and Western Africa. Samantha has served on various local and international boards and senior leadership groups, including the Professional Accountancy Organisation Development Committee of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and has extensive experience in several non-executive directorships. She currently serves on the Council and Finance Committee of Roedean School, UK. Samantha is a Fellow of CIMA and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. She holds a Batchelors degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and holds post-graduate courses in public relations and management, as well as a Master’s degree in business administration, with distinction, from the Gordon Institute of Business Science at the University of Pretoria.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Putting diversity and inclusion at the forefront of the accountancy practice policy framework

2023-06-29, 11:10 AM

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Mark Koziel
President & CEO, Allinial Global

Mark Koziel became President and CEO of Allinial Global in August 2020 after 14 years with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In addition to leading a team of twenty-seven staff members, he is responsible for strategic planning, financial performance, and the association’s overall growth and success. From the beginning of his career at a large local accounting firm in Buffalo, New York, to his tenure as Executive Vice President of Firm Services at the AICPA, Mark has been a leader and consistent advocate for CPA firms. Well known and highly regarded within the profession, he has appeared among the top 10 of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and been named to the International Accounting Bulletin’s Global Accounting Power 50 List.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

How to ensure the firm business model is future ready

2023-06-29, 9:40 AM

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Elena Meskhi
Owner and CEO, Elena Meskhi & Co.

Elena Meskhi is the owner of an accounting and tax advisory practice that has been operating for over a decade. She’s also a book author, business coach, NLP masters practitioner, and public speaker who is passionate about allowing business owners to experience financial freedom.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Building relationships with business owners in the drive to increase profit and reclaim freedom

2023-06-29, 11:30 AM

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Ville Somppi
Vice President, Industry Solutions, M-Files

Vice President of Industry Solutions

Ville Somppi, Vice President of Industry Solutions, has 20 years of experience defining, developing, and deploying technology solutions for knowledge intensive industries. He has worked with companies across the globe ranging from large corporations to small start-ups and family-owned businesses. At M-Files, he oversees our industry solutions, such as accounting, consulting, and financial services to name a few.

 

Ville holds a master's degree (MSc) in software engineering from Tampere University of Technology.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

Enhancing customer experience with appropriate tools and techniques

2023-06-29, 2:50 PM

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Shimona Pinto
Senior Corporate Solutions, Moxo

Shimona comes from a legal background and works with Moxo's EMEA clients to modernize their client interaction workflows. She specialises in helping clients control the chaos of client management by orchestrating end-to-end client collaboration with the power of their one-stop client portal.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

Coordinating client business in the digital world

2023-06-29, 10:00 AM

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Richard Cassidy
Chief Commercial Officer, Dayshape

Richard Cassidy is Chief Commercial Officer at Dayshape, an award-winning enterprise software company founded in Edinburgh. As a seasoned enterprise software specialist, Richard has advised some of the world’s largest organisations and is passionate about enabling the adoption of transformational technology.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Taking resource management to the next level with AI and automation

2023-06-29, 11:50 AM

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Mark Hollingworth
Head of Partnerships, AccountsIQ

Mark leads the commercial partnership function at AccountsIQ, including working with financial outsourcing partners.
He has 20 years of experience in the accounting technology sector. During that time, he has consulted on accountancy software solutions and digital transformation across a broad range of practices; from top 4 firms to sole practitioners.

 

Session Details:

Optimising financial outsourcing for growing companies

2023-06-29, 4:20 PM

Session Details:

Closing panel – Uncovering strategies to boost efficiency and grow business

2023-06-29, 5:00 PM

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Jeff Gramlich
Managing Director & Head of Accounting, Validis

Jeff is a CPA and holds a CITP certification. He is a 40 year veteran of the accounting industry where he gained his initial experience at Arthur Young & Co. He has broad experience in the US accounting industry, with career highlights including serving as President & CEO of the Small Firm Services business unit at CCH and President of AccountantsWorld. Jeff has a strong passion for improving the industry from an everyday workflow perspective to driving higher quality in all we do. At Validis Jeff helps the world’s largest firms realise the power of technology in the audit process, as well as helping forge strategic partnerships in the space to help bring best of bread ideas and solutions to the market.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Are you prepared for the data-driven audit?

2023-06-29, 12:10 PM

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Clive Webb
Head of Business Management, Policy and Insights, ACCA

Clive Webb is the Head of Business Management in ACCA's Policy and Insights team. Clive publishes research on the future of the finance function across a wide range of topics from the purpose of the function to the skills that it needs and the technologies that it needs to apply. Clive is also the author of two research pieces, one which considered Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the profession and the most recent the profession's responsibility in the social agenda. Clive qualified as an accountant in one of the big 4.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2023-06-29, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

Accounting for society’s values

2023-06-29, 2:30 PM

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Plan Your Visit

Venue

Leonardo Royal Hotel London City

8-14 Cooper's Row, London EC3N 2BQ

Sponsors

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Awards

Nominations are open for the International Accounting Forum & Awards 2023

The International Accounting Awards 2023 will recognise winners in different categories that cover the sector.

Nominations are now open – deadline for entries is 5pm GMT on 26th April 2023.

The Award Categories and the eligibility for each are as follows:

  • NETWORK OF THE YEAR

    The winner of this award will have demonstrated the execution of profitable growth strategies. It will be recognised by the industry as a reputable brand that consistently delivers high quality professional services. The winner will have excelled in a number of key strategic and operational areas over the past 12 months. Nominees must be compliant with the IFAC definition of a network.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Financial performance globally and by region (in the context of a region’s economic performance)
    • How effectively the network has strengthened its position in what it identifies as strategically important markets
    • Evidence that the network has consistently provided a top-level standard in network-wide audit quality
    • Evidence that member firms are an employer of choice
    • Evidence of industry leadership, which could include initiatives such as thought leadership, demonstration of best practice, or playing a lead role in discussions over an issue affecting the industry

    Evidence of client satisfaction

    • Evidence that the network has successfully implemented a strategy that helped it significantly improve its delivery of internal services to member firms and external services to clients
    • Judges will also consider performance in the face of adversity, industry leadership and the promotion of the highest professional standards to business and the public
  • RISING STAR NETWORK

    The winner of this award will have demonstrated exceptional growth, entrepreneurial flair and innovation in elevating its position in the market. Nominees must be compliant with the IFAC definition of a network.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Evidence of successful implementation of a strategy that has improved the network’s global position and reputation across the world
    • Improved performance by fee income and global expansion
    • Evidence that staff and client satisfaction has improved
    • Proven innovation to enhance the network’s delivery services
  • ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

    The winner of this award will have demonstrated the execution of profitable growth strategies. It will be recognised by the industry as a reputable brand that consistently delivers high quality professional services. The winner will have excelled in a number of key strategic and operational areas over the past 12 months.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Financial performance globally and by region (in the context of a region’s economic performance)
    • How effectively the association has strengthened its position in what it identifies as strategically important markets
    • Evidence that member firms are an employer of choice
    • Evidence of industry leadership, which could include initiatives such as thought leadership, demonstration of best practice, or playing a lead role in discussions over an issue affecting the industry

     

    Evidence of client satisfaction

    • Evidence that the association has successfully implemented a strategy that helped it significantly improve its delivery of internal services to member firms and external services to clients
    • Judges will also consider performance in the face of adversity, industry leadership and the promotion of the highest professional standards to business and the public
  • RISING STAR ASSOCIATION

    The winner of this award might not be a ‘household name’ but will have demonstrated exceptional growth, entrepreneurial flair and innovation in elevating its position in the market.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Evidence of the successful implementation of a strategy that has improved the association’s global position and reputation across the world
    • Improved ranking/market position/increased number of members
    • Evidence that staff and client satisfaction has improved
    • The use of innovation to greatly enhance the association’s delivery of services
  • DIGITAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

    This award will be given to a practice, network or association, which has with a new initiative or innovation in audit made a major change in improving audit quality, efficiency or added value to clients. This innovation could be an addition to an existing audit product/process or a completely new initiative. Judges will look at the benefits and cutting edge thinking behind the innovation. This innovation may have occurred across the whole network/association or just within an individual firm or is a project.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Evidence of improvements in efficiency, accuracy and reliability
    • Client satisfaction and added value
    • Contribution to improved audit quality and reliability
    • Potential to keep the relevance and value of assurance services, at a time when firms grow revenues through advisory and ancillary services
  • WELLBEING INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    The Wellbeing Initiative of the Year Award recognises the technology and digital investment an industry organisation has made to support its employees’, members’, and users’ physical and mental wellbeing.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Measurable evidence of an initiative that has improved the wellbeing, whether physical or mental, of employees over the past year
    • Testimonials from employees that demonstrate how their organisation has supported them
  • DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DE&I) INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    This category will celebrate the success of a firm, network/association, professional body, regulator, professional federation etc., which has with its DE&I initiative made a significant contribution towards raising the bar on selection and hiring based on principles of diversity (cosmopolitan backgrounds, mix of skill sets), equity (equality of pay and promotions), inclusion (equal access to corporate review and training).

     

    Judges will consider:

    • The impact the DE&I initiative has had on expanding the corporate market positioning
    • Measurable evidence showing changes in the hiring and selection process, pay-scales, and employee feedback mechanisms.
  • PROFESSIONAL BODY OF THE YEAR

    The winning professional body should wield a profound influence within the accountancy industry and beyond: Including the finance and business world, government and society as a whole. The winner will be a top influencer that not only serves effectively its membership but also safeguards the public interest nature of the profession, as well as contributes to the values and skills that accountants should master.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Full disclosure of membership information, such as fully qualified members or members pursuing the professional body’s qualification, including country-by-country disclosure for global bodies
    • Evidence of a strong and/or sustainable growth and development strategy, which meets market demand for skilled professionals
    • An effective good governance structure, that upholds and supports principles of public interest
    • Evidence of its influence in the industry of a country, region or internationally, through thought leadership campaigns, constructive lobby initiatives and/or research efforts
    • Relevant, innovative and successful professional qualification, if applicable
    • Solid oversight of its certification/examinations and/or regulatory powers of the profession, if applicable
    • Advocacy projects that have raised awareness on the importance of strengthening public finance management or helped drafted or passed laws that have or will improve government accountability
  • SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    The winner of this award will have demonstrated a measurable commitment to Sustainability initiatives in the last year as part of a set long-term strategy for the organisation.

    1. This can be an internal Sustainability measure impacting people / processes / partners
    2. External advisory to client for e.g reaching net-zero, ESG

    Judges will be looking for a winner that demonstrates how it has integrated and reported on these measures to meet stakeholder demand and show how they are managing and mitigating risk for their company, clients and community. Local, regional and global initiatives are all welcome.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Evidence of how the initiative has impacted the firm
    • An overview of the wider implications of the initiative
    • Evidence of successful employee involvement in the initiative/project
    • Special consideration will be given to initiatives that have created a market-wide benchmark
  • COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

    This award will recognise the work of a communications/marketing/brand ambassadors’ team across the whole range of accountancy stakeholders (firms, professional bodies, federations, standard-setters, regulators, etc.). The winner will have contributed to making successful a campaign that, while being relevant, has excelled in the way it has been communicated.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Substance, relevance and importance of the campaign/s or initiative/s that has been promoted
    • Creativity, wittiness and originality of the format, language, style and tone used to address your audience
    • Ability to explain a technical topic, grabbing the attention of the targeted audience, with an underlying ambition of reaching or getting other professions or industries (investors, politicians, lawmakers, civil society, etc.) interested
    • Dexterity in capturing the philosophy, values and core mission of your organisation, effectively transmitting a vital message to the winner’s audience
  • ACCOUNTANCY SOFTWARE OF THE YEAR (VENDOR)

    The winning accounting practice software product will showcase great levels of enterprise integration, user satisfaction and industry leading product features. Nominations will be accepted from companies showcasing a new product or a successful addition of features to existing software.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Showcasing the innovation and market leading technology
    • Evidence of how the effective deployment of the software has reduced costs, improved quality and/or increased opportunities for growth
    • Evidence of how the product has helped users and achieved high levels of user satisfaction and enterprise integration
    • Proven track record of new software/technology developed to assist the accounting profession
  • CLOUD INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR (VENDOR)

    The Cloud Initiative of the Year recognises the most innovative and compelling products, services and solutions from cloud vendors.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • The success of business transformation through a cloud-based platform
    • The improvements made to scalability and security of business process and operations
  • CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (VENDOR)

    The Customer Experience of the Year Award recognises the most ground-breaking digital CX offerings from organisations that take pride in creating the best possible experiences for their customers.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Customer/ client sentiment on user experience of a product or a service
    • New ways of client capture and user engagement
    • How businesses have grown and improved customer experience through a particular channel
  • ACCOUNTING FINTECH STARTUP OF THE YEAR

    This award will go to a fintech start-up that is providing an emergent and sought-after product/solution or fintech consultancy services to independent accountants, firms and accounting corporates.

     

    Judges will consider:

    • Client testimonials
    • Measurable ROIs
    • Ongoing enterprise-partnership support

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

  • YOUNG ACCOUNTANT OF THE YEAR

    The winner of this award will have qualified in the past 10 years and will have made a significant difference to their employer. Judges will be looking for evidence of entrepreneurial flair, technical excellence and leadership potential. The young accountant will be a professional employed in practice, business, government or another organisation in which his or her accountancy skill has become an essential asset.

  • PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

    We will be looking for an industry leader who is not scared to take a stand who is outspoken on the issues affecting the profession and who has made a significant contribution in the past year. Nominations are welcome from people in practice as well as business.

  • LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    This award recognises consistent levels of achievement and service within the profession over a number of years

Enquiry

Contact Us

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To enquire about sponsorship opportunities for the conference, please contact

Ray Giddings

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To enquire about speaking opportunities for the conference, please contact:

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