Hyderabad, Nov 23 (UNI) The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) hosted the ‘Finance Conclave 2025’ in Hyderabad, bringing together leading policymakers, financial experts, industry heads and international stakeholders for an intensive dialogue on the forces reshaping global finance.
Held at The Park, the event carried the theme, “Navigating Transformation in a Dynamic Global Economy.”
The conclave highlighted how the finance function is rapidly evolving from a traditional, transactional role into a strategic driver of business value.
Speakers stressed the growing influence of digitalisation, automation, AI and data analytics in redefining financial operations, governance and decision-making.
Discussions centred on how technology can enhance agility, strengthen forecasting accuracy, build robust cross-functional collaboration and empower finance leaders to guide innovation, growth and sustainability in an increasingly unpredictable global environment.
In his virtual remarks, ICAI President CA Charanjot Singh Nanda noted that ICAI, established before the adoption of the Indian Constitution, has grown into the world’s largest accounting body.
He emphasised that finance professionals today play multifaceted roles as strategic navigators, regulators and enablers of societal resilience.
He underscored the need to align with global best practices while adapting them to India’s context.
Hyderabad Chartered Accountants’ Society President CA Ananda Rao Potnuru highlighted the highly interconnected nature of today’s global economy, where shifts in one part of the world have immediate repercussions elsewhere.
He stressed that financial governance must evolve from compliance-driven frameworks to intelligence-driven standards, with AI, cybersecurity and data at its core.
Seema Grover, Head of Finance – India & Emerging Markets at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories spoke about the strengthening of corporate governance frameworks through institutions such as ICAI, SEBI and NFRA.
She outlined the conclave’s sessions, which explored the future of corporate governance, the transformative potential of AI and automation in finance, and strategies to navigate global economic shifts with confidence.
CA Salil Kumar Mishra, CFO of MEIL Group said that modern finance leaders must function like co-founders, contributing to every dimension of business beyond accounting.
He highlighted the need to embrace technology-driven thinking, predictive finance and strategic insight, emphasising that weak financial planning can derail even large infrastructure projects.
Earlier in his welcome address, FICCI Telangana State Council Chairman V. V. Rama Raju said the finance function is transitioning into a key strategic pillar as organisations navigate geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, inflation and rising global volatility.
He stressed that the future of finance will be digital, data-driven, sustainable and deeply aligned with organisational goals.
During a panel discussion, Nestle India Independent Director P R Ramesh raised concerns about declining global trust in financial reporting.
He highlighted how limited access to financial information restricts board members’ ability to thoroughly review company accounts, making governance heavily dependent on auditors.
He emphasised the urgent need to strengthen systems that uphold transparency and accountability.
The Finance Conclave 2025 concluded on an impactful note, equipping attendees with actionable insights, strategic foresight and transformative ideas to navigate the future of finance with clarity and confidence
