DFK UK & Ireland Annual and Young Professionals Conference 2021

NEWCASTLE

Newcastle upon Tyne lies at the heart of north-east England along the banks of the River Tyne. Its thriving student population gives the city an unrivalled energy and some legendary nightlife. The music scene is centred around the Metro Radio Arena or O2 Academy where big-name headliners are hosted.

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 UKI  Annual and Young Professionals Conference which will take place at the Crowne Plaza, 6-8 October 2021. 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. 

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 UKI 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 UKI 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, Caroline will be onsite from Tuesday, working from Loco 3 on the first floor on Wednesday and will be onsite for the duration of the conference. Kelly will be on-site from Wednesday-Friday. 

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

Caroline Cassidy

Global Executive Officer & Conference Manager

Kelly Smallwood

Administrative Assistant

×

Caroline Cassidy

Global Executive Officer & Conference Manager

Email:

[email protected]

×

Kelly Smallwood

Administrative Assistant

For enquiries regarding any DFK administrative matters etc. please contact Kelly at [email protected]

Kelly is based in the DFK Executive Office in London, United Kingdom.

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

+44 2074366722

*Agenda is subject to change

Thursday 7^th October

09:00 - 09:30      DFK UKI & RMT Welcome         

09:30 - 09:45      Sponsor Spotlight - Silverfin            

09.45 - 10:15      Adam Cramer/Farzana Pabani

The Importance of Financial Literacy         

10.15 – 10.45     Adam Cramer/Protiviti   

10:45 - 11:15      Coffee Break     

11:15 – 12.15     Keynote (Geoff Ramm)

The creator of 'Celebrity Service' and 'OMG Marketing', Geoff Ramm is an expert in highly successful marketing ideas and tailored customer experience. As a keynote speaker, he takes audiences on a journey of memorable real-life marketing stories and observations to leave minds buzzing with new ideas and to help them stand out from the competition.              

12.15 – 12.30     Comfort Break  

12.30 - 13:00      Keynote (Geoff Ramm)  

13:00 - 14:00      Group Lunch      

14:00 - 17:00      Depart Hotel for various activities

Please ensure to attend correct activity as these are sold out.

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

19:00 - 22:30      Group drinks reception & meal at The Baltic         

Friday 8^th October

09:00 - 09:30      Martin Sharp & Bill Wright, DFK International

09:30 – 10:00     Success Stories - Panel Discussion

10.00 – 10.15     Sponsor Spotlight - Keys Finance

10:15 – 10.45     Coffee Break

10.45 – 11.15     Human Business/Resource Development - Recruitment and retention in a challenging market

11.15 – 11.30     Sponsor Spotlight - Capitalise

11.30 – 12.45     Keynote (Lee Warren)

An expert in behavioural persuasion and influential communication, Lee Warren blends together psychology and sales with his background as a performer to teach others the secrets to being an outstanding business communicator. In an ever-cut-throat industry, Lee’s keynotes and workshops give business leaders the skills for making that all important impact.

12.45 – 13:15     Conference Conclusion/Peter O’Connell/Firm of the Year Award

13.15 – 13.30     DFK UKI AGM By invitation only

13:15 - 14:45      Lunch

*Agenda is subject to change

Negotiation and Influencing for Accountants

Conference Outline

Negotiation is a critical skill for accountants.  Whether debating budgets with cost centre managers, negotiating with the tax authorities to argue their clients' case or persuading a client to accept an unwelcome write down, this programme will help you gain a valuable insight into your own influencing and negotiation style.  

It will enable you to develop the key skills that will allow you to effectively influence, persuade and negotiate with key people both in and outside your organisation.  You will enhance your skills, awareness and impact to better equip yourselves for roles at all levels.

Learning Objectives

• Broaden the range of techniques for influencing different types of people
• Understand the factors involved in persuading others, allowing participants to influence more effectively
• Develop a clear understanding of the process and phases of negotiation and ways to build win-win solutions for all those involved in the negotiation process
• Gain a deeper understanding of your personal negotiation style
• Learn to play to your strengths in different contexts
• Understand the needs and interests of all parties involved in the negotiation
• Become confident in your negotiating and influencing power

Day 1

Day 2

** Note - Young Professional delegates will join the annual conference after coffee until lunch time.

Day 3

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

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
Location: Stephens Suite, Crowne Plaza
Delegates/Accompanying Persons/Young Professionals

Afternoon Activity
Options for the social activites are available to all Delegates/Accompanying Persons/Young Professionals.

These include;

Gin School at the Gin Bar (located in the hotel)

Clay Pigeon Shooting (transport provided) SOLD OUT!!

Walking Tour of Newcastle (departing from hotel lobby)

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

Informal Group Dinner
The group will enjoy drinks, dinner and music at The Baltic sponsored by Protiviti

Dress Code: Smart Casual
Time: 7pm-11pm
Location: Offsite - The Baltic
Delegates/Accompanying Persons/Young Professionals

The Annual Golf Tournament will take place this year at Close House. This is an optional event

The 18-hole Lee Westwood Filly course is situated in the grounds of the Close House Estate, providing stunning views of the River Tyne Valley in Northumberland. Alongside the presentation of the Lee Westwood Colt course, the Parkland layout was re-designed and re-opened in 2013, providing a delightful alternative to the Championship layout of its sister course.

The Filly course has been re-bunkered to challenge players to use the correct strategy. Off-target tee shots are likely to find one of the 32 bunkers lining the fairways, intensifying the competition for our golfers.

The Filly Course now has 18 USGA specification greens, is 6,034yds in length and a par 70 from the medal tees. The undulating greens provide a real test for your putting skills, but accuracy off the tee is paramount for good scoring. Having already held PGA professional events, including the previous European longest driver competition, the course has proved to be both enjoyable and challenging for golfers of all abilities.

Full delegate fee for the DFK Emerging Leaders Conference -  £450 plus VAT

This fee is inclusive of the team building (and transportation), welcome reception, 1.5 days training and group dinner (and transportation).

The DFK UKI 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.

Changes and cancellations can be made up until 15 September 2022, after which time, 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 UKI 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.

Protiviti is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise to help you confidently address challenges and opportunities in technology, digital transformation business process, analytics, risk compliance, transactions and internal audit. Consulting defined by agile collaboration our uniquely flexible resource model draws on the deep knowledge of our consulting and industry experts and capitalises on our global network. They supplement both consulting and managed business solutions to provide our clients with a choice in how work is delivered to best fit their business

Shaped by innovative thinkers our talented people have consistently been recognised by FORTUNE and Consulting Magazine as a great place to work. More than 7,000 serve our clients through Protiviti’s network in 85 offices and 25 countries, including six offices right here in the UK. We are committed to attracting and shaping a diverse workforce of professionals. In transforming and dynamic world, you need a consulting partner that delivers with greater impact.

Capitalise is your ready made capital advisory platform

Capitalise enables accountants to build strength and resilience in clients’ businesses by helping them raise, recover and protect their capital.

Headquartered in London, Capitalise is the trusted platform of over 2,000 accounting firms, advising on over £850million of approved capital to their clients.

Through the pandemic accountants have been at the forefront of supporting SMEs. From furlough, CBILS, grants and super deductions - the list goes on. All this has been supported and delivered by the same team, whilst delivering their existing services. Capitalise focuses on expanding an accountancy firm’s Capital Advisory arm to help them rise to this challenge and support small businesses during the most challenging year in recent history.

Proactive - Responsive - Proven - Keys Finance, As a specialist finance provider with a proven history, we offer a highly responsive service backed by the right technology which allows us to meet and exceed your expectations.

Having the right expertise at your side to minimise and manage risk, while realising your potential, requires a fluid approach – a seamless service that connects you to highly trained, expert business partners.

Silverfin is the cloud platform that makes accountants successful. It automates compliance and has the tools and data needed for success in advisory services.

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.
 

Following the success of the DFK UKI Annual Conference in Leeds, back in 2019, Brown Butler are handing the baton to RMT in their own special way!

The Brown Butler cycle team are taking on a tough 110 miles, 4370ft in elevation bike ride to raise money for Leeds Mind.

The Brown Butler riders will face a challenging journey from their office in Leeds to Newcastle.  Setting off early in the morning on 6th October, the group hope to raise thousands of pounds Leeds Mind.  The team have already starting preparing for this challenge and hope that many of you will get behind them to raise much needed funds for this organisation. For updates on how training is going, follow @BrownButler1919

If you wish to donate to this fantastic cause, you can do so here

Leeds Mind supports the people of Leeds and surrounds to discover their own resources to 'recover' from periods of poor mental health, and to live life independently with their mental health condition. 1 in 4 people experience mental health difficulties in their lives. Whether that be depression, anxiety, isolation, stress, self harm, personality disorder, bereavement or any other negative mental health experience, Leeds Mind are here for you.