Deloitte brings emerging finance executives together in Riyadh, focusing on strategy, transformation, technology, leadership, and decision-making skills for modern CFO roles.

Deloitte Middle East has brought together high-potential finance executives for its Deloitte Next Generation CFO Academy in Riyadh, placing future CFO leadership at the center of a two-day program focused on strategy, transformation, technology and decision-making. Held at the Mandarin Oriental, Riyadh, on September 15–16, the academy is part of Deloitte’s wider CFO Program and aims to prepare emerging finance leaders for the expanding demands of the CFO role.

Deloitte Focuses on Future CFO Leadership

The program examined how the modern CFO is moving beyond financial stewardship to become a strategic business leader. Participants explored “The Four Faces of Finance,” finance transformation, business chemistry, culture and the priorities of a CFO’s first year.

Key areas covered during the academy included:

  • Finance leaders explored strategy beyond traditional financial responsibilities.

  • Sessions examined leadership, transformation, culture and business chemistry.

  • Participants discussed digital, ERP, AI and finance transformation.

  • Electives addressed cost pressures and future finance talent.

  • Jan van der Bij shared lessons on winning mindsets.

Deloitte said the program combined interactive learning with perspectives from its specialists and senior business and performance leaders. The sessions were designed to help participants develop broader leadership capabilities and understand the skills increasingly expected at C-suite level.

According to Javed Iqbal, Partner and CFO Program Leader of Deloitte Middle East, the finance leaders of tomorrow require financial stewardship as well as transformation capabilities, technical expertise and an enterprise view.

Leadership Development Extends Across C-Suite

The Riyadh program followed the closeout of Deloitte’s Next Generation CIO & CISO Academy on September 14. The closeout brought together participants from the February program in Muscat, allowing technology and cybersecurity leaders to reconnect, exchange experiences and reflect on how their learning had influenced their organizations.

James Smith, Partner, Assurance and Deputy Dean of the Next Generation CFO Academy, said effective CFO leadership requires more than technical expertise, highlighting the importance of judgment, decision-making and leading in complex environments.

Patrycja Oselkowska, Partner and Middle East Growth Leader at Deloitte, said developing future leaders is important to the region’s continued transformation and that investment in emerging talent can strengthen the capabilities organizations will need.

Deloitte’s Middle East presence spans 26 offices across 13 countries, with approximately 7,000 partners, directors and staff, according to the firm. The academy adds to its broader leadership development efforts across the region.

Thus, Business Fortune believes that developing future-ready finance leaders will help organizations navigate transformation, complexity, and growth.