Working capital is the lifeblood of any company and managing liquidity and supply chain finance is one of the most important tasks of corporate treasury. From payables and receivables finance to inventory management and cash forecasting; managing liquidity strategies or integrating ESG into supplier finance and navigating FASB and IASB regulatory changes, cash management is integral to long-term corporate success.
It is these themes – and many more – that will come under the spotlight at this year’s Working Capital Forum Europe in Amsterdam on 28th November 2023. The forum will attract around 300 leaders and decision makers spanning corporate treasurers, procurement directors, CFOs, finance directors/heads, and senior supply chain and finance leaders. Allowing attendees to tap into the expertise and thinking of corporate treasury teams from TEVA Pharmaceuticals, retail and tourism specialists REWE Group, Ricoh Europe alongside leading banking voices and service providers like PrimeRevenue, Taulia and Kyriba.
“With interest rates remaining stubbornly high, optimising working capital by getting control of the cash conversion cycle is more important than ever. Treasury stands to benefit from greater availability of cash, but this isn’t something the corporate treasurer can do alone,” says Mike Hewitt, CEO Adaugeo Media and founder of the Working Capital Forum.
Key discussions on the agenda include how to integrate ESG into supply chains with expert insight from Bridgestone, EcoVadis, and J.P Morgan. “The rise in ESG-related supplier finance programmes shows no sign of slowing down as companies use preferential rates to encourage better ESG performance in their supply chains,” says Hewitt.
In a case study panel, Siemens will share how it built a supply chain finance programme that now includes 4,844 suppliers in 35 countries. In another session, McKinsey will outline how treasury, procurement and payments directly drive earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).
Other topics on the agenda include insights into how the working capital landscape is changing due to the introduction of new products and services, made possible by advances in technology. “We’re seeing a sharp rise in interest in receivables finance programmes, which can now be managed at a scale thought to be impossible a few years ago,” says Hewitt.
Discussions and insights around disclosure of SCF programmes under new FASB and IASB guidance will also feature with a focus on the impact from the new regulations so far.
“Above all, we’re seeing more and more companies realise that better working capital management can directly affect the bottom line and company valuations. Good working capital practices are increasingly embedded across the best-performing corporates, with treasury at the forefront of these initiatives,” says Hewitt.
The one-day event at the Beurs van Berlage will comprise around 30 sessions, including panel debates, case studies, workshops, and keynote sessions with speakers from the world’s leading corporations, banks and fintechs with delegates from more than 20 countries attending. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to meet, network, and participate in panel discussions and debates with industry experts and professionals from the largest corporations across Europe and the world.
For corporates wishing to attend use code TDCG, anyone else interested in attending should use code TDRO for a 25% discount.
