Welcome to the DFK EMEA Annual conference 2022 in Manchester, UK.

The DFK EMEA conference this year will be held at The Midland Manchester

Registration is OPEN NOW, until 21st February 2022, or until we have reached capacity. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Please use #DFKManchester2022 when mentioning the conference on social media!

Introduction

We are excited to announce that registration is open for the DFK EMEA  Annual and Young Professionals Conference 2022. The conference will be held from 08-11 March 2022 in Manchester, UK

On behalf of DFK International and the DFK EMEA Executive Committee we would like to say how excited we are to see you at this conference again in person. We can't wait! 

The conference will include a full-day tax seminar on Wednesday 09 March. In a change to the usual format, the conference will conclude at midday Friday 11th March rather than the Saturday as in previous years.

MANCHESTER
The Midland Manchester have played hosts to many famous people over the years, and now they will have DFK to add to their list! Read more about some of their special guests and meetings here

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 
This website contains information about the conference and includes links to the conference booking system through which you will be able to book both your conference attendance and accommodation for the DFK EMEA Annual and Young Professionals Conference which will take place at the Midland Manchester. You should find all the information you need in the relevant tabs and you should find the site easy to navigate, but if you do not find everything you need, please contact : Caroline Cassidy, DFK UK & Ireland/EMEA Executive Officer ([email protected]).

If you will attend with an accompanying person(s), you should register your accompanying person as part of your own booking by adding their details (name and dietary restrictions) at the bottom of the registration PERSONAL INFO PAGE and by using the Group booking facility under the registration booking tab GUESTS & ACTIVITIES and adding the ACCOMPANYING PERSON(S) and their activities. 

Registration is open now until 20th February 2022, or until we reach capacity.

ON-LINE REGISTRATION FORM 
To register for the conference, you will be able click on the Book Now button on the top right-hand side of this website. After you have completed the on-line registration form, you will receive an automatic confirmation by email which you should bring with you on-site as your record of the activities you booked to attend.  

You can log back into the DFK website to modify your registration, however, if you need to change anything after the registration site is closed or if you do not receive this confirmation, please contact: Caroline Cassidy, DFK UK & Ireland/EMEA Executive Officer ([email protected]) who will make the necessary changes for you.

HOTEL ON-LINE BOOKING FORM
Click on the HOTEL INFO tab on this page which contains information about the hotel and the link to the on-line hotel booking form. 

CONFERENCE FORMAT 
Click on the PROGRAMME/ AGENDA tabs for details on the conference timing and agenda. 

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Click on the SOCIAL ACTIVITIES tab on this page for details on the social activities.

CHANGES TO THE WAY DFK CHARGES FOR CONFERENCES
The DFK EMEA Conference is sold to delegates as a package and it will not be possible to offer refunds to delegates that opt out of the core elements, which include the Welcome Reception and Dinner; all business sessions; and the social activities and meals.

The DFK EMEA Young Professionals Conference is sold to delegates as a package and it will not be possible to offer refunds to delegates that opt out of the core elements, which include the Welcome Reception and Dinner; training sessions;social activities and meals.

Other than in exceptional circumstances, refunds to delegates who need to cancel will only be provided to the extent to which DFK is able to recover costs from suppliers. 

All travel and hotel costs are the responsibility of delegates and guests. DFK take no liability for these costs.

Minimum numbers are applicable to some activities and if we do not reach that minimum number, we reserve the right to cancel the activity before we go on-site.  In this instance, you will be pre-notified.

Click on the FEES tab for further details.

DFK EXECUTIVE OFFICE 
If you need assistance on-site regarding the conference, the executive team will be available and located onsite for the duration of the event.

Please forward the link to this conference website to the other partners in your firm as well as your spouse and other guests. If you need any further information or help please contact [email protected]

YOUR ONSITE DFK STAFF

 

General Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Please ensure you check the local and national guidelines on traveling before you commence your planning and again before you start your trip. 

VISA REQUIREMENTS
Delegates are advised to check the visa regulations to find out whether they need to apply for a visa and to do so in a timely manner.

To find out if you require a visa, please visit the local embassy website for your region.

Your visa may require a letter of invitation from DFK International, to obtain this please contact [email protected] as soon as possible to ensure your visa is approved in a timely manner.

DRESS CODE
Attire for the is business casual for all business sessions. The welcome reception and all meals is smart casual. Please remember to dress appropriately for any activities you have selected.

The most important thing is to be comfortable and enjoy your time with your fellow DFK colleagues and friends.

Delegate obligations

  • Delegates agree to comply with any requirements communicated by DFK or Event venue employees, contractors or agents, including instructions relating to health and safety, fire safety or consumption of food and drinks.
  • Delegates must inform DFK of any specific access or other requirements (e.g. dietary requirements) as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any case before the date of the Event.
  • Delegates agree to conduct themselves appropriately in their attendance at the Event. DFK reserves the right to exclude or remove from the Event any person for disruptive, inappropriate, or abusive behaviour, at its absolute sole discretion.

Indemnity

  • Delegates shall indemnify DFK in full for any direct or indirect loss or damage it incurs as a result of the delegate’s acts or omissions, including any losses arising from damage to the venue, DFK or third-party property or failure to comply with any requirements specified by DFK.

Limited Liability

  • DFK will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of delegates, but will not be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any indirect or consequential losses, including but not limited to loss of profit, loss of use, costs or expenses, or other claims whether caused by DFK, its employees, contractors or agents arising from delegates taking part in an Event. 

 

Hotel

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
The hotel for the conference is The Midland Manchester

Please book your accomdation here using the promo code LHDFKI070322 to secure the DFK rates.

First opened in 1903, The Midland Hotel has been delighting guests from the very beginning.
Originally built to serve rail travellers from London, our stunning building and ballroom charmed visitors day in and day out, and while our appearance has changed over the years, our outstanding service remains the very same.

The DFK hotel rates are as below:
£165 single occupancy/£175 double occupancy per night including breakfast, Wi-Fi and VAT.

Cancellation terms: Guests booking via online link can cancel up to 5 days prior and will receive a refund. 

Payments: Each guest will settle their own bill, Credit or Debit card details will need to be provided as a guarantee when making a reservation, DFK International is not responsible for any payments for the accommodation. 

Please book your accommodation here using the promo code LHDFKI070322 to secure the DFK rates.

All rooms will need to be booked by 21 February 2022.

We cannot guarantee the DFK rate or availability after this date. If the room block is sold out before this date we will endeavour to add more rooms but this is not guaranteed.

If you have any questions about this conference please contact Caroline Cassidy, EMEA/UK & Ireland Executive Officer & Conference Manager, here.

HOTEL LOCATION
To view the hotel location please click here

HOTEL WEBSITE
Click here for the Hotel Website

Programme/Agenda

PROGRAMME/AGENDA

*subject to change

Wednesday 9th March    
     
DFK Board Meeting (by invitation only) 9am - 5pm DFK International Board Members
DFK International Tax Seminar 9am - 5pm Optional - addtional charge
Welcome Reception and Dinner 7pm - 11pm Delegates, Accompanying Persons, Young Professionals
     
Thursday 10th March    
Annual Conference Day 1 9am - 12.30pm Delegates
Young Professionals Day 1 9am - 5pm Young Professionals
Group Lunch 12.30pm - 1.30pm Delegates, Accompanying Persons, Young Professionals
Social Activities/Breakout Sessions 2pm - 5pm Delegates, Accompanying Persons, Young Professionals
Reception and Dinner 7pm -11pm Delegates, Accompanying Persons, Young Professionals
     
Friday 11th March    
Annual Conference Day 2 9am - 12.30pm Delegates
Young Professionals Day 2 9am - 12.30pm Young Professionals
Group Lunch 12.45pm - 2pm Delegates, Accompanying Persons, Young Professionals
     
     

EMEA Annual and Young Professional Conference Sponsors

 We would like to thank our conference sponsors for their contribution to help make this conference so valuable for our delegates. Find out more about our conference sponsors below.

Xero is a leading global cloud accounting software platform for small businesses and advisors, from leading national and global accounting partners to industry associations worldwide. We work with your firm to customize solutions to fit your needs.

By working closely with Xero, DFK member firms will be able to work more efficiently and deliver real-time data and help clients better understand and use this information. Helping business owners explore what matters most to them – whether that’s growing their business, diversifying their products and services, exploring new markets, improving processes, or going completely digital.

We also offer an ecosystem of over 1000 third-party apps and 200 plus connections to banks and other financial partners. See why over two million subscribers choose Xero to help their business.

Find out more about Xero and their partnership with DFK here.

Run your business like clockwork with automated proposals and payments in one convenient client engagement and commerce platform, so you can focus on what matters - your client.

Practice Ignition turns your proposal, terms of service and payment collection into a single smart contract. 
You can connect your practice management system, ledger and have your payments auto reconciled.

Say goodbye to scope creep, debtors and disputed bills. 
Get paid on time, every time!
 

 

DFK EMEA 2022 - Business Sessions Agenda

*subject to change

Thursday 10th March

09:00 - 09:15      Registration       

09:15 – 10.00     DFK Welcome, Host Firm Welcome         

10:00 - 10:30      IWil Mentoring/Charity Update 

10.15 - 10.30      Sponsor Spotlight 

10:30 - 11:00      Coffee Break     

11:00 - 11:30      Eve Tomlinson – Thrive in the Hive – Making an Impact

11:30 - 12:30      Carl Reader        

12:30 - 13:30      Group Lunch      

13:30 - 17:00      Break-Out Groups or Group Activity

  • Eve Tomlinson – Making an Impact

Speaking fluently on the spot, quick pitches, developing networks, negotiating and presenting successfully all have one thing in common. They require strong, self-aware communication skills and memorable impact.

Maximum Impact evaluates each participants’ communication strengths and weaknesses so that by the end of the session each person will have the techniques they need to develop their current impact into best practice impact. This session isn’t about making people change, it’s simply about making each participant’s best attributes work harder. It doesn’t matter if they are quiet, loud, nervous or super-confident. It’s about awareness, emphasis and working to their strengths.

At the end of three hours participants will have the tools to improve future business relationships by creating and maintaining valuable connections. They will know how to set the tone to encourage fluid, professional communication and how to use these skills to improve outcomes whether they are in the room or online.

Step 1 - Connect - Step 2 - Convey - Step 3 - Convert

OR

  • Xero & Ignition – IT Workshop/Discussion Group

OR

  • Depart Hotel for Group Activity

Please see a member of the executive team if you have any queries.

19:00 - 22:30      Group Meal       

Friday 11th March

09:00 - 09:45      Martin Sharp & Bill Wright, DFK International

09:45 - 10:30      EMEA VP and Executive Committee panel discussion on developing the region and presentation of EMEA firm of the Year

10:30 - 11:00      Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30      Positive Group

Navigating the New World 

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought psychological health into greater focus for individuals and organisations. Our data from within the past 12 months shows 1 in 3 people within professional services are experiencing extreme stress levels. This means that a third of this population are at higher risk of burnout. Our research also shows that people attribute at least 60% of the stress in their lives to the work, on average.

Organisations have an exciting opportunity to rethink the ‘norm’ and instil a culture of post-pandemic growth supporting employee wellbeing, connection and sustained performance. In this session, a psychologist from Positive will explore key strategies to regulate stress, which can help individuals and teams to reset and re-energise. This includes: 

  • Understanding the psychology of stress and how it links to performance 
  • The impact of change and uncertainty on our patterns of thinking and behaviour 
  • Improving focus and managing our attention in a stressful world  
  • The direct and indirect impact of human connection on stress and workplace culture

12:45 - 14:00      Lunch

DFK EMEA 2022 - Young Professionals Training Sessions

*Agenda is subject to change

Getting People on board and making change stick

“There is nothing permanent except change” Heraclitus 500 BC

People generally fear change. Even in normal times a departmental restructure or even a simple reorganisation of the office space, can result in employees becoming distracted, confused, angry or disengaged. These are natural responses all of which can result in lowered morale and decreased performance.

Today in a post Covid environment, the way we work has changed forever. We live in a VUCA world – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. The future winners will be those organisations who can embrace innovative work practices, technology, and collaboration while taking their people with them on this change journey.

As a business leader, leading and implementing change while taking your people with you will be one of the biggest challenges you will face.

This programme will help you understand the impacts of change, and the practical ways that you can lead and manage your people to make change stick.

 You will learn:

  • The principles of “change management” and creating a compelling rationale and vision for change
  • To understand each stage of the transition curve and the behaviours associated with each one.
  • Leadership strategies to move team members through the transition whilst maintaining performance.
  • To recognise the impact of change on you as the leader and develop methods to better manage your own feelings and behaviours
  • Understand your people’s emotional response– why they react in the way they do.
  • To provide effective support and motivation to your people
  • The role of clear and consistent communication through the change journey

 

Welcome and Introduction

Session 1

The case for managing change

•Understanding Change
•The realities of change
•Recognising the impact change can have
 

Session 2

 

Our experience of change

•Drawing upon past experiences of change
•Kotters change model
 

Session 3

 

Emotional aspects of change

•Business and personal impact of change
•Identifying our own response to change
•The emotional journey – navigating the change curve
 

Session 4

 

Managing our mindset

•What is resilience?
•The three enemies of resilience
•Building our resilience
 

Session 5

 

Building momentum 

•Driving momentum
•Recognising the reasons for resistance
•Dealing with resistance
•Removing barriers to change
 

Session 6

 

Make it happen

•Planning change
•Engagement and leadership
•Creating short-term wins
•Keeping the momentum going.
 

 

Evaluation and Close

 

 

 

DFK EMEA 2022 - Social Activities & Accompanying Persons

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
*subject to change


Welcome Reception/Dinner
We are looking forward to welcoming you at the Welcome Reception/Dinner. It is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends as well as network and make new connections with your fellow members.

Dress Code: Smart Casual
Time: 7pm-11pm, Wednesday 9th March
Location: On-site at The Midland Manchester
Delegates/Accompanying Persons/Young Professionals

Accompanying Persons

Accompanying Persons are invited to a take part in a morning activity - tbc 

Afternoon Activity
Options for the social activites are available to all Annual Conference Delegates & Accompanying Persons

Treasure Hunt Manchester - The game works like a Whatsapp Group chat with a pirate character who leads each team around Manchester. They have to figure out cryptic clues by finding things in the city.

Everyone in a team can access their link on their own phones. They all see each others' messages just like a group chat. Teams will be made up of groups of 5/6 people!

*Places are limited on this event and will operate a waiting list once we have reached capacity

**alternatively, Annual Conference Delegates may opt to attend a workshop listed in the Business Sessions Tab

Dress Code: Smart Casual
Time: 2pm - 5pm, Thursday 10th March
Annual Conference Delegates/Accompanying Persons

Informal Group Dinner
The group will enjoy drinks, dinner and music at an external venue tbc

Dress Code: Smart Casual - Wrap up warm!
Time: 7pm -11pm
Location: Offsite - tbc
Delegates/Accompanying Persons/Young Professionals

Conference Fees

Full delegate fee for Annual Conference - Early Bird rate of £480 until 14th February, £600 after this date

Full delegate fee for Young Professionals Conference -  One complimentary place to each firm - additional places at £240

Accompanying Persons - £180 (age 11+), free for those under 10 years

Tax seminar - £90 

Welcome Reception & Dinner only - £90

* All prices quoted are inclusive of UK VAT @ 20%

 

 

Social Responsibility

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
DFK is proud to encourage social responsibility practices.

As part of our social responsibility policy we have pledge to offset our carbon footprint when the Executive Office staff travel for DFK conferences and meetings.

We encourage DFK members to do the same when travelling to a conference.

Please see the website the Executive Office uses to offset our carbon footprint here.

Photo Consent

We will be taking photographs and video during the conference for the purpose of creating records for the Association. 

Some of the photographs and video might include images of you as a delegate as well as your accompanying persons (including your accompanying children). The photographs and video will be stored as digital images on the DFK servers (currently Office 365 SharePoint on the Azure Cloud). We intend to keep some of the images indefinitely as part of the historical record of the Association. We will also publish some of the photographs and video on the DFK private members’ website and may use them at future conferences. The private members’ website is intended for use by members of DFK only, but we cannot guarantee its security from unauthorised access. We also intend to publish some photographs and video on the public DFK website, but we will seek your permission separately before doing so. We will not send the photographs or video to third parties without your specific consent.

If you or your guests do not wish to be photographed or videoed at the conference, or at any particular event, please let the DFK photographer (usually one of the DFK executive office staff) know at the time. You also have a right to have your photograph deleted from our records and you can contact us at any time at [email protected] or at DFK International, Suite 120 Temple Chambers, 3-7 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0DA, UK and we will delete any photographs or video of you that we have stored. 

If you are content to for us to include you in the photographs and videos taken at the conference, please give your consent via the registration form. By giving this consent, you confirm that you consent to DFK taking and storing your photograph at the conference and that they are aware that you can ask for your photograph to be deleted at any time by contacting DFK International at the address above.

If you are content to for us to include your guests in the photographs and videos taken at the conference, please give your consent on the booking form. By giving this consent, you confirm that your guest has consented to DFK taking and storing their photograph at the conference and that they are aware that they can ask for their photograph to be deleted at any time by contacting DFK International at the address above. Moreover, by giving this consent for guests under that age of 18, you are confirming that their parents or legal guardians have given their consent.
 

Tax Seminar

Tax Seminar Agenda.pdf

TAX SEMINAR

09 March 2022 @10am
 

 

Delegate Directory

Name Company
AUDIT MANAGER NAWFAL AHMAD SAHIB SALFORD ASSOCIATES LLP
CEO Abdullah Al-Naeem EDRAK GLOBAL Chartered Accountants and Auditors
Mr Mark Ashfield HB&O
Eline Averink Alfa Accountants en Adviseurs
Mr Warren Baker Wilson Wright LLP
Claire Barnes Carter Backer Winter LLP
Gemma Barrett Shaw Gibbs
Ms Anne Brady Crowleys DFK
Jonathan Brownson RPG Limited
Stephan Brune Stümpges & Partner mbB
Caroline Cassidy DFK International
Sandy Cochrane Carter Backer Winter LLP
Helen Coombes Harrison Beale & Owen
Mr Adam Cramer Wilson Wright LLP
mr. Harm-Jan de Boer Netherlands
Mr. Paolo Dermitzel Studio Fiam SA
Nick Donohue Royce Peeling Green
Jennifer Douieb Antelis Veyssade
Will Eckerson DFK/USA
Jean Ellis DSG
Therese Grant DFK International
Harriet Greenberg Friedman LLP
paul grosjean CONSEILS ASSOCIES
Stuart Grosvenor Harrison Beale & Owen
Jons Gustafsson Cederblads Revisionsbyrå AB
Magda Guzy Wilson Wright LLP
Samir Hanna DFK Fiduciaire du Moyen Orient
Mr Jordan Hayes Royce Peeling Green Limited
Gerd Hegmann BSKP
Daniel Howarth Carter Backer Winter LLP
Mr CRAIG HUGHES Brown Butler
Nigel Jacobs Taylor Leibow LLP
Michel Jaggi Fidinter AG
Managing partner Ridwan Jahib SALFORD ASSOCIATES LLP
Mr Peter Jones Shaw Gibbs Limited
Mr Ragunathan Kannan K Vijayaraghavan & Associates
Mark Kearsley DSG Chartered Accountants
Adam Klein Bennett Thrasher
Mr. Chad Knippel Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP
Mrs Susanne Knol Alfa Accountants
Sam Lord Royce Peeling Green Limited
Wijnand Luitjes Alfa Accountants
Ms Ashwini M R K Vijayaraghavan & Associates LLP
Zoe Marsden DFK International
Ms Jessica McLellan Wilson Wright
Ben Miller Bennett Thrasher LLP
Andrew Moss DSG
Edward Murphy Crowleys DFK
Miss Malin Näsström Hummelkläppen i Stockholm AB
Mr. Alfred Nehme DFK Fiduciaire du Moyen Orient
Peter O’Connell Shaw Gibbs
James O’Connor Crowleys DFK
Cliff Orme DSG Chartered Accountants
Miss Alba Pich BNFIX
Jonathan Pike Carter Backer Winter LLP
Iacovos Raoukkas DEMETRIOU & ASSOCIATES BUSINESS ADVISERS LTD
Dr. Alexander Reichl Peters, Schönberger & Partner
Responsable administrative et financier Chaimae Saidi PROXIMO EXPERTISE
Mr Martin Sharp DFK International
Stephen Slater RMT Accountants & Business Advisors
Janneke Speetjens Peters, Schönberger & Partner
Betsy Stewart Pisenti & Brinker LLP
Olivier Stirnimann Fidinter Treuhand AG
Simon Turner Harrison Beale & Owen
Matthijs van Dorssen Alfa Accountants and Advisors
Marco Vermin Alfa Accountants and Advisors
Roland W. Graf Peters, Schönberger & Partner
Mr James Waters Langdowns DFK
Miss Melanie Webb DFK Chancery
Ms Anelle Weigle Hummelkläppen i Stockholm AB
Mr James White Brown Butler
Mr Peter Winter Carter Backer Winter LLP
Niels Woudstra ALFA accountants & Advisors
Bill Wright DFK International

 

 

For all queries relating to the DFK EMEA 2022 Annual Conference registration, activities, logistics including changes/cancellations to your registration, please contact: 

Caroline Cassidy
DFK UK & Ireland Executive Officer; 
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 00 353 87 904 1630

 

 

Gerry  McSorley Phd

Gerry McSorley Phd

Director, Marcomm company

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Una  McSorley FCIPR

Una McSorley FCIPR

Trainer, Facilitator and Executive Coach, Marcomm

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Trish  Pashazadeh-Allen

Trish Pashazadeh-Allen

Positive Group

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Carl Reader

Carl Reader

Author of Boss IT - WH Smith Best Seller!

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Eve Tomlinson

Eve Tomlinson

Thrive in the Hive

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