Data is key to working capital improvements, say speakers at Working Capital Forum

Corporate treasurers from Drax, Co-op, RHI Magnesita and Medtronics will share their working capital insights with their peers at the UK’s first live treasury conference for almost two years.

Working Capital Forum London, which takes place on October 14, will see more than 100 treasurers and working capital experts gather at the Waldorf Hilton.

The theme for the conference is the use of data to drive working capital improvements, and the day will start with exclusive insights from Jakob Ruden, partner at consultancy McKinsey, which sees better use of data as the starting point for improving net working capital (NWC).

“Taking a bottom-up, data-driven approach is a prerequisite to fully unlock the potential, define specific steps that can improve performance, and create an insight-focused cash culture,” according to McKinsey’s latest report.

As well as those in-depth case studies from Drax and others showcasing real-life success stories, sessions at on the day will focus on specific topics, including:

• Integrating working capital management with treasury operations, with Bruce Denyer, senior treasury manager at Dentsu, and panellists from Kyriba, American Express and Prime Revenue
• Managing DPO: A data-driven approach, with Steve Williamson, ex-VP finance at Walgreens Boots Alliance and panellists from Calculum, C2FO and Coupa
• Balance Sheets, Ratings and Regulators: An industry view, with Sean Edwards, CEO of the International Trade Finance Association, and panellists from Fitch Ratings, and ICC
• Payables: optimising working capital without harming the supply chain, with the UK’s new small business commissioner, Liz Barclay, and panellists from Taulia, Citi and Orbian

While the event is being streamed live for an audience outside the UK, Working Capital Forum director Mike Hewitt says that treasurers are ready to return to face-to-face contact.

“We started in 2015 as a networking group for treasury and procurement leaders with a shared interest in optimising working capital,” he says. “During the pandemic we ran some excellent virtual events which have kept our members informed and connected, but everyone was keen to get together in person once again and now we have treasurers from companies such as BP, GSK, Shell, Hertz, Reckitt and Pepco all coming to London on the 14th.”

The event has been welcomed by working capital and supply chain finance solution providers, 12 of which are supporting the day as sponsors and exhibitors, ranging from established fintechs such as Taulia, Kyriba and Orbian to payments giants like American Express, and global banks such as Citi and fresh start-ups like Calculum.

Corporate treasurers can apply for a complimentary ticket using this link and selecting ‘complimentary ticket request’. Alternatively, please email: dianah@adaugeomedia.com or call +44 203 086 7753