Deloitte brings together finance leaders at Next Generation CFO Academy in Riyadh
Deloitte has hosted its Next Generation CFO Academy in Riyadh – its leadership program designed to prepare an inaugural generation of finance leaders for the demands of the Chief Financial Officer role.
Held at the Mandarin Oriental in Riyadh, the two-day Academy combined practical, interactive learning with perspectives from Deloitte experts and senior business and performance leaders, helping participants explore the broader capabilities required of today’s CFO, along with the future skills and capabilities needed to lead.
As organizations across the Middle East continue to transform, the CFO mandate is becoming increasingly broad. Beyond financial stewardship and running the finance function, CFOs are increasingly expected to contribute to enterprise strategy, lead transformation, and act as catalysts for change.
Javed Iqbal, Partner and CFO Program Leader at Deloitte in the 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. The Academy is about helping emerging leaders build that broader perspective and prepare for what the role increasingly demands.”
The program explored this evolving mandate through sessions including ‘The Four Faces of Finance’ and ‘Leading Change in Finance Transformation,’ along with discussions on business chemistry, culture transformation, and how finance leaders can succeed in their first year as CFOs. Participants also explored emerging priorities through elective sessions covering the evolving role of finance functions; cost pressures; digital, ERP and AI transformation; and shaping the finance talent of the future.
Bringing perspectives from beyond traditional finance, participants also heard from Olympic medal winner and presenter Jan van der Bij, who led a session on what it takes to lead with a winning mindset.
James Smith, Partner and Deputy Dean of the Next Generation CFO Academy, 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. The Academy gives future finance leaders the opportunity to broaden their perspective, learn from one another, and develop the judgment required at the C-suite level.”
Commitment to leadership development
The Next Generation CFO Academy forms part of Deloitte’s broader commitment to leadership development across the Middle East. Earlier this year, Deloitte also hosted a similar Academy for next regeneration CIO and CISO leaders.
“Developing the next generation of leaders is critical to the Middle East’s continued transformation,” added Patrycja Oselkowska, Partner and Middle East Growth Leader at Deloitte. “By investing in high-potential talent today, we are helping build the leadership capabilities that organizations across the region will need tomorrow.”
