Business implications of the ever-changing chief financial officer role within organisations are the over-arching theme of the CFO Series - Connecting Finance Leaders, being organised by Lead Training Services.

The next session in the series, to be held today from 8.45am to 1pm, will feature two keynote speakers: Cyprus-based Davis Hechevarria, Regional chief Financial officer for Microsoft, overseeing the Financial and Compliance management of Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Cyprus and Malta; and François Grech, executive director at Exigy, a leading strategic solutions supplier that enables CFOs to thrive in their function while equipping them with the right tools to meet their corporate goals.

Mr Hechevarria has been working with Microsoft since he graduated in Accounting and Business Management from the University of Miami in 2008. He first joined the Microsoft Corporate Financial team in Redmond, Washington, before moving to Microsoft Belgium in 2010 as Financial Controller for Enterprise and Partner Group (EPG) /Public Sector. Last year he moved to Cyprus where he joined Microsoft CEE Multicountry Region, a region consisting of 24 countries, including Malta.

Mr Grech has been working in the IT industry for the past 16 years addressing business and technology aspects, with a distinct focus on financial solutions. He gained first-hand experience working with CFOs on Financial and Enterprise Resource Planning projects and has been directly involved in the solution delivery process for numerous implementations at medium to large-sized organisations, both locally as well as internationally.

Mr Grech has also been involved in the definition of information technology strategy and software business solutions within blue chip corporations in a number of countries, mainly Malta, the UK, Germany, Italy, Lebanon and Egypt.

James Grech, managing director of Lead Training Services, said: "This event, open to CFOs, financial controllers and other senior finance executives working in industry, allows them to have a clearer view of the role of the chief Financial officer (CFO) and changes taking place in their company. Besides, this event will attract leading finance executives, giving them an opportunity to share their strategies and create lasting partnerships."

The CFO Series - Connecting Finance Leaders has been also officially accredited by the Malta Institute of Accountants and hence the event qualifies for a total of 2.5 CPE hours (Core competencies) in terms of the MIA CPE Regulations. Participation is free and is limited to the first 50 delegates. The CFO and one other senior finance executive are eligible to attend.

For more information and to register for the event, being held at the Microsoft Innovation Centre at Skyparks, Luqa, visit http://www.leadtraining.com.mt/cfo-series-connecting-finance-leaders