The exclusive financial services leadership roundtable, hosted by the Business Circle in partnership with Fusion5, brought together senior finance executives for a candid, off-the-record discussion with Tom Langley, EGM Corporate and Strategic Finance at Xero. The conversation explored how the CFO role was evolving amid disruption, increasing complexity, faster decision-making and changing expectations of the finance function.

Drawing on Xero’s experience as a fast-scaling, cloud-native organisation, Tom shared perspectives on using data, technology and strategic finance to support growth, improve decision-making and empower teams. Leaders also examined how finance functions could move beyond traditional reporting and control to become stronger drivers of strategy, transformation and organisational performance.

The peer-to-peer discussion provided practical insights into modernising finance systems, building agile teams, navigating regulatory complexity and turning financial insight into strategic value, with perspectives spanning banking, funds management, insurance, superannuation, professional services and enterprise.