Creating a future for Thailand - a conversation with Pita Limjaroenrat
Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader, Move Forward Party and Visiting Democracy Fellow, Harvard University

“We could compromise on prioritisation, the pace of change, but not the reason for our existence and values that we bring,” says Pita Limjaroenrat, the prominent opposition politician who led Thailand’s liberal Move Forward Party (now the People’s Party) to win the greatest number of votes - and seats in the lower house of parliament - in the 2023 general election. The party was unable to form a government after it was blocked by the Senate, the members of which were appointed by the leaders of the 2014 military coup. the party’s travails since have included accusations Pita violated election laws (not guilty), a ruling by the courts that the party’s move to overturn lese-majeste law was unconstitutional, and an August decision by the Constitutional Court to dissolve it, resulting in the launch of its successor, the People’s Party. What’s driving the movement’s opponents? Fears that its highly reformist agenda will unseat generations of privilege, and upset the established order. When Pita spoke to the Global CFO Network in 2023, he outlined a significant policy platform that would drive innovation and economic growth. But now - banned from politics for 10 years by court order - how does he see the future? Join us for this engaging face-to-face conversation with one of Southeast Asia’s most promising leaders.

Making the transition from Finance leader to general management
Benjamin Chin, Managing Director Singapore and Malaysia and Finance Director Asia Pacific, ECCO

For many CFOs, the opportunity to step into a general management role is one that they can’t turn down. It’s a chance to make a broader impact on the business, and to see the outcome of the decisions they make, in real-time. It’s not an easy move to make, but Finance leaders - with a broad understanding of all elements of the business, and a deep knowledge of financial drivers - can be model CEOs. In this session, we’ll be joined by ECCO Managing Director Singapore and Malaysia, and Finance Director Asia Pacific Benjamin Chin. Benjamin - who recently added the MD role to his existing Finance leadership responsibilities, will discuss how he’s taken his Finance skills and applied them to driving the business’ commercial outcomes. He’ll discuss some of the challenges he’s faced, and the impact he’s having across ECCO’s business.

Managing a global restructure work in Asia
Serge Krol, CFO - Asia, FrieslandCampina

Towards the end of 2023, Netherlands-headquartered dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina - one of the industry's most significant players - announced a substantial performance-driven restructuring targeting an annual cost savings target of EUR400-EUR500 million by 2026. Dubbed 'Expedition 2030', the reorganization aimed to lower costs by a 15% reduction of white-collar headcount across the world, including Asia. With the aim to create funds for growth as well as improving profitability, the initiative was accompanied by a long-term supply chain improvement project called Performance+. In this session, FrieslandCampina's CFO Asia Serge Krol will walk us through the implementation steps, and summarise the lessons he and his team learned in implementing a major global restructure in Asia. Serge's prior postings include Finance leadership roles in Bangkok and Shanghai, as well as at head office in the Netherlands.

Members may attend with a member of their Finance team. Luncheon and light refreshments will be served.