Agenda
Programme
13.00-14.00 Registration and networking
14.00-14.10 Welcome and introduction
Shannon Manders, Editorial Director, Global Trade Review (GTR)
14.10-15.00 What does future-proofing look like in the context of an ever-changing trade market?
A convergence of ‘mega-trends’ within the world of global trade has left institutions of all hues considering how to act in the face of what many see as unprecedented change, both structural and within the sector’s external operating environment. Advances in digitisation have widely been seen as positive for a number of reasons, from improving transactional efficiency to achieving financial inclusion by going deeper into supply chains to helping combat the ongoing threat of fraud and other forms of financial crime, with greater focus on both the provision and use of data to aid the ongoing process of reform. Elsewhere the conversation around ESG has also evolved, in particular around the important role banks, investors and policymakers have to play in supporting transition, whilst industry practitioners also have to be increasingly aware of the role of trade in geopolitics, and the potential geopolitical implications of the companies and supply chains they finance. This discussion will consider what, in the context of these seismic and epoch-defining changes, ‘future-proofing trade finance’ actually looks like.
Moderator: Shannon Manders, Editorial Director, Global Trade Review (GTR)
Michael Vrontamitis, Deputy-Chair, World Trade Board
Ahanna Anaba, Head of Sales, Digital Solutions & Partnerships, Finverity
Oswald Kuyler, Digital Standards Adviser, ICC United Kingdom; Chief Operating Officer, MonetaGo
Emmanuelle Ganne, Senior Analyst, Economic Research Department, World Trade Organization (WTO)
15.00-15.30 Networking break
15.30-16.15 Emerging leaders and future talent – is enough being done to compete?
As an industry often perceived as being run by middle-aged, white, heterosexual men, concerted industry efforts have been made to attract and nurture the next generation in trade finance, with particular focus placed on the importance of ’emerging leaders’ in ensuring the industry’s sustainability and future growth, and to make the prospect of a career in trade finance attractive and accessible both for those already working in it and young professionals who may be considering it as an option.
Plugging into the activities of the ITFA Emerging Leaders Initiative, this conversation will consider a range of talking points, from increasing the proportion of emerging leaders in the market to guaranteeing its sustainability, to questions around visibility and career progression, knowledge transfer, opportunities for networking and the sector’s responsiveness to needs and aspirations of its future torchbearers, assessing if – and where – the needle is moving on these crucial objectives.
Moderator: Pouya Jafari, Vice-President, Digital Trade Innovation, SMBC; Chairperson, ITFA Emerging Leaders
Clara del Val, Commercial Underwriter, Allianz Trade Specialty Credit
Nigel Atta-Mensah, Vice-President, International Development, Client Coverage & Global Markets, Crown Agents Bank
Katie Gates, Treasury Management Advisor, Transaction Banking & Project Finance, DNB Bank
16.15-17.00 Striving for a better gender balance
The origins of this event are rooted in the subject of gender diversity, with early iterations having focused specifically on the issue of women in trade finance, whilst the broader conversation around diversity and inclusion has shone a light on employment practices and the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining talented women, and of providing support through the various stages of their careers to realise their ambitions and their potential.
Reflecting many of the positive changes that have taken place throughout the market whilst also acknowledging the work still to be done, this session will provide insights into a range of trends, from ensuring a robust female talent pipeline to providing mentoring and other forms of support to aid development, to invoking family-friendly work policies and providing flexible working patterns to enable a fair distribution of opportunities. The session will also consider some of the other key talking points when it comes to diversity and inclusion, and how a more diverse and inclusive workforce can improve productivity, increase employee satisfaction and reduce conflict, improving collaboration and loyalty in the process.
Catherine Lang-Anderson, Partner, Allen & Overy & Jo Dooley, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Allen & Overy in conversation with Dr Rebecca Harding, Founder, Rebeccanomics Strategic Trade Advisory & Analytics
17.00-onward Closing remarks followed by networking reception
