Exploring the evolving role of CFOs

The Star

a day ago

Wealth of experience: Jomo talking during the keynote session at the CFO Forum 2025 at W Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Senior finance leaders and industry experts from across Malaysia converged at the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Forum 2025 to explore the evolving role of CFOs in a rapidly changing business landscape.
The two-day event organised by Star Media Group (SMG), held at the W Hotel Kuala Lumpur from Aug 13-14, highlighted how finance leaders are moving beyond traditional financial gatekeeping to become strategic innovators and key drivers of digital change.
The forum kicked off with a keynote session by Khazanah Research Institute research adviser Prof Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram who has decades of experience in global economic policy.
Jomo shared that finance leaders must navigate an unstable and unpredictable global environment shaped by geopolitical forces and especially with the implementation of tariffs by the United States.
'There's no single solution for how finance leaders should balance short-term agility and long-term resilience in the business.
'This is because every company faces different situations, especially depending on their industry,' he said.
Following the keynote address, Orange Business CFO for Asia Pacific François Bresson presented a session on how the CFO's role is shifting from managing finances to leading business strategy and innovation.
The day's events also featured a spotlight session by Airwallex Malaysia country manager Aren Yip, gold sponsor of the event, who spoke on Harnessing Fintech for Global Growth.
Yip highlighted Malaysia's potential to become South-East Asia's leading financial hub, driven by its digital-savvy population and robust regulations.
'CFOs need easy access to global financial tools like multi-currency accounts and local payouts to help Malaysian businesses expand regionally,' he said.
'Companies may face risks like losing money due to following the traditional way of transactions which are slower.
'Hence, when costs rise uncontrollably, profit margins are squeezed, leaving companies with less profit from each sale,' he said, noting however that international companies in Singapore and Hong Kong are already adapting to it.
He also advised about changing perceptions of CFOs, who have been in the industry for many years, to be agile by adapting to consolidating systems, reducing manual workflows, and not becoming just a cost centre.
The forum featured insightful panel discussions between networking sessions.
The first panel, titled Delivering Financial Results, was moderated by Deloitte CFO programme leader Ho Kok Yong.
Panellists were Arnott's Asia finance director Asia and commercial director Japan Vinayak Sasitharan, Mamee-Double Decker CFO Lionel Lim, Siemens Energy vice-president, finance Asia Pacific Karna Mohan and Warner Music Group finance director for Malaysia and Singapore Lee Pei Lu.
This was followed by a discussion on Accelerate Digitalisation which focused on the importance of digital transformation.
The panel included leaders from Accenture managing director, strategy and consulting, CFO and enterprise value Kevin Leung, Asahi Holdings Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd senior vice-president group finance Presanya Krishnan, Electrolux director finance controlling BA APAC and MEA and director GSSC KL Joanne Tsung, Veolia Water Technologies Asia Pacific CFO Jessica Pinto and PETRONAS Lubricants Interna­tional group controller for industrial Devang Merchant.
They shared best practices for using new technologies to enhance efficiency and drive growth.
The final discussion on Navigating Uncertainty addres­sed the challenges of today's unpredictable business world.
Some distinguished panellists and moderators were Volvo Cars Group head of Asia Pacific (APeC) finance cluster Faisal Irfan, Fosroc regional finance controller for Asia Diana Cheang, HAVI Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd country head of finance Chris­tina Ong, NTT Data Payment Services executive director and chief financial officer Lim Chee Keat and SAP Malaysia Sdn Bhd chief financial officer Jessica Low.
Together they explored how CFOs can leverage next-generation financial tools such as advanced analytics and real-time data to make better decisions and prepare for the future.
The CFO Forum provided a powerful platform for professionals to exchange knowledge, strengthen decision-making, and boost their organisations' brand visibility.
The event served as a catalyst for growth and innovation, equipping leaders to drive business value in a dynamic and complex economic landscape.