The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), organised the ‘Finance Conclave 2025’, themed ‘Navigating Transformation in a Dynamic Global Economy’, today at The Park, Hyderabad. The conclave brought together top policymakers, industry leaders, financial experts, and international stakeholders for an in-depth dialogue on the forces reshaping global finance.

The event served as a premier platform to explore how the finance function is transforming from a traditional, transactional role into a strategic engine of business value. Sessions underscored the growing influence of digitalisation, automation, AI, and data analytics in redefining financial operations, governance, and decision-making. Speakers shared actionable insights on leveraging technology to boost agility, enhance forecasting precision, strengthen cross-functional partnerships, and enable finance leaders to steer growth, innovation, and sustainable performance in an increasingly volatile economic landscape.

The inaugural ceremony featured Special Addresses by CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI, and CA. Ananda Rao Potnuru, President, Hyderabad Chartered Accountants’ Society. This was followed by a compelling Theme Address from  Seema Grover, Head of Finance – India & Emerging Markets, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, and a powerful Keynote Address by CA. Salil Kumar Mishra, CFO, MEIL Group. V V Rama Raju, Chairman, FICCI Telangana State Council & Founder & MD, Gaja Engineering, delivered the welcome address, while Jayadev Meela, Co-Chairman, FICCI Telangana State Council & Managing Director, Sudhakar Group, proposed the vote of thanks.

CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI; in his virtual address said, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was established in 1949, even before India adopted its Constitution. The Constituent Assembly envisioned a disciplined corps of financial professionals who could guide a young nation out of uncertainty and onto a path of sustained growth. Today, ICAI stands as the world’s largest accounting body, with over five lakh members and eleven lakh students. From being partners in nation-building, we have evolved into partners in global progress. In this dynamic environment, finance professionals are no longer mere custodians of numbers; they are strategic navigators, regulators, stakeholders, and enablers of societal resilience and confidence. To stay ahead, we must align with international best practices, adapt them to our local context, and integrate them into our work to deliver the highest standards of excellence.

CA. Ananda Rao Potnuru, President, Hyderabad Chartered Accountants’ Society; said, the global economy today is deeply interconnected, capital, goods, technology, and talent move seamlessly across borders. A policy shift in Washington can ripple through Mumbai, and an innovation in Bengaluru can reshape markets in Europe. In such a world, survival hinges on adaptability, and leadership demands constant reinvention. This decade calls for strategic, sustainable, and systematic transformation. Our standards must evolve from being compliance-driven to intelligence-driven, with data, cybersecurity, and AI forming the core of financial governance. In an era of rising digital fraud, staying updated and digitally proficient is no longer optional, it's essential.

Seema Grover, Head of Finance – India & Emerging Markets, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories; said, today, institutions like ICAI, SEBI, and NFRA are driving a new era of robust corporate governance. To deepen this understanding, we are privileged to have two distinguished speakers who will share their insights on the future of corporate governance, financial reporting, and evolving standards. Our second session explores the power of technology, can AI close our books, can MIS sharpen decision-making, and how far can automation transform our processes? A seasoned CFO will bring these ideas to life with real-world experiences. The third session turns to the global landscape, focusing on how financial leaders can navigate geopolitical shifts and macroeconomic uncertainty with agility and confidence.

CA. Salil Kumar Mishra, CFO, MEIL Group; said, the role of a finance professional today goes far beyond being a business partner, we are co-founders in spirit and function. Promoters now expect finance to support every dimension of the business, not just balance the books. Traditional balancing is outdated; with AI and advanced software handling routine tasks, our real value lies in interpretation and strategic insight. A CFO’s core responsibility is to drive the business alongside the promoters. Finance is the powerhouse behind execution, and even a small analytical error can derail an entire project. We’ve seen several infrastructure companies in Hyderabad collapse due to weak financial planning and execution. Predictive finance now shapes project strategy, it’s no longer about post-mortem analysis. As CFOs, we must shed conventional mindsets and bring forward ideas that are technology-driven, ownership-driven, and responsibility-driven. Ultimately, we are custodians of growth that is sustainable, ethical, and resilient.

V V Rama Raju, Chairman, FICCI Telangana State Council & Founder & MD, Gaja Engineering; in his welcome address said, today’s theme, “Navigating Transformation in a Dynamic Global Economy,” highlights the finance function’s shift from transactional reporting to strategic leadership. It is especially relevant as we face rapid technological change, rising risks, and constantly shifting global dynamics. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, rising tariffs, and economic volatility are reshaping financial strategy and limiting forecasting clarity. In this environment, the future belongs to organisations that are bold in adopting digital technologies, strong in governance, high in performance, and agile in decision-making. The future of finance will be global, digital, data-driven, and sustainable. The finance function is now firmly recognised as a strategic partner aligned with the organisation’s core objectives.

P R Ramesh, Independent Non-Executive Director, Nestlé India Ltd., responding to a point during the panel discussion he said, across the world, the credibility of financial reporting has hit its lowest point. Despite subsequent corrective measures by regulators in the US, India, and elsewhere, we continue to witness major corporate failures in financial reporting, raising a fundamental question, as to what were the Boards doing? Many of these companies were audited by top firms, had celebrated boards, and operated with sophisticated systems. Yet the cracks were massive. As far back as 1988, the Chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission remarked that most US financial statements were “cooked” some lightly, others completely roasted. For the regulator of the world’s financial capital to say this was alarming, and several Fortune 500 companies soon proved him right. The reality is that Board members, including audit committee members, typically spend only 75 to 100 hours a year on a company. They don’t review books of account, aren’t involved in day-to-day operations, and yet are expected to uphold governance. With strict insider-trading laws, most blue-chip companies share financials with Directors only on the day of the meeting or, at best, a day prior. Even the most brilliant Chartered Accountant on a Board cannot meaningfully analyse such limited, last-minute information. Given this structure, governance inevitably relies heavily on what auditors present. And when that foundation cracks, the entire system falters.

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A thought-provoking panel on Indian Standards & Governance in Accounting, featuring P R Ramesh, Independent Non-Executive Director, Nestlé India Ltd., and Govind Ahuja, Partner, S. R. Batliboi & Co. LLP, examined the evolution of Indian Accounting Standards, their convergence with global IFR principles, compliance challenges, emerging governance frameworks, and the pivotal role of transparency in building stakeholder trust.

Speaking virtually at the Session on Insights on Finance Transformation, M V Narasimham, CFO, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories; highlighted the finance function’s shift from a transactional role to a strategic driver of enterprise value. He underscored how digitalisation, automation, AI, and analytics are reshaping financial operations and governance, and shared practical insights on using technology to enhance agility, improve forecasting, and strengthen business partnerships, empowering finance leaders to drive innovation, growth, and long-term sustainability.

Another engaging session, led by Jitendra Gohil, CIO, Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Ltd., addressed Economic Peace, Geopolitics, Supply Chain Impact, Rising Prices & Tariffs. The discussion unpacked how geopolitical tensions, tariff shifts, and global realignments are influencing trade flows, investment patterns, and business resilience. Experts highlighted India’s emerging opportunities, the urgency for adaptive financial planning, and strategies to navigate global uncertainties.

In the panel on Leadership Perspective on the Strategic Role of Finance, speakers KVS Ramrao, Partner, VB Group, and Rahul Chattopadhyay, Chartered Accountant, illuminated how finance leaders are expected to drive customer-centric value, proactively mitigate business risks, and deliver advanced analytics that guide competitive strategy.

A standout feature of the conclave was the exclusive CXO Dialogue, featuring Lakshmi Iyer, Group President – Investments & CEO, Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Ltd., and M V Narasimham, CFO, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, joining virtually; along with Jitendra Gohil and Seema Grover, engaging in person. This rare interactive exchange offered delegates deep insights into leadership philosophies, financial stewardship, and strategic decision-making amid today’s rapidly shifting economic environment.

The Finance Conclave 2025 concluded on a high note, equipping participants with forward-looking perspectives, strategic frameworks, and transformative ideas to navigate the future of finance with confidence.