Over the last month, we held three panel events in our finance transformation event series in Cork, Limerick and Dublin, held in collaboration with CIMA Ireland.
These events brought together finance professionals to explore the future of finance transformation in a rapidly evolving landscape. As a sponsor of the events, our team shared key insights with input from leaders in the treasury, finance transformation, and talent advisory. Amid the discussion, there was a strong focus on practical challenges, and the opportunities present within finance transformation. Here are some of the key insights from the event:
Economic and treasury outlook
- Ireland is expected to see moderate GDP growth (2.0% in 2025, 2.1% in 2026)
- Inflation is forecasted to remain low, with stable unemployment
- Comparisons with the EU, UK, and US highlighted Ireland’s relative strength, but also flagged potential vulnerabilities
Defining transformation
- Transformation is a step change in business performance over a compressed timeframe
- Common triggers for transformation include rapid growth, inefficient processes, over-reliance on spreadsheets, siloed finance functions and market disruption
- Successful transformation requires recognising finance’s interconnection with other functions (procurement, commercial, HR, etc.), ensuring integration rather than isolation
Evolving roles in finance
- The profession is shifting from “historians” to “navigators”
- In-demand roles include strategic business partners, finance technologists, and subject matter experts in areas like ESG, M&A, data governance, and regulatory compliance
- Skills in demand include commercial acumen, predictive analytics, technical proficiency, and hybrid expertise that bridges finance, technology, and transformation
The event reinforced that finance transformation requires vision, design, and realisation, underpinned by cross-functional collaboration and a willingness to adapt. The future of finance will be shaped by those who embrace change, invest in skills, and build sustainable value for their organisations.
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