Global Conference 2025
DFK International is excited to announce that our Global Conference 2025 will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland! DFK member firms should register here.
We encourage all delegates to stay until the end of the scheduled programme to fully benefit from the insights and expertise shared throughout the event. Our keynote speakers and panellists have generously given their time to contribute to these discussions, and your presence ensures a vibrant and engaged audience. Thank you for your consideration and for helping us create a respectful and enriching environment for all.
This year's event is your chance to connect with fellow DFK members worldwide, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen the relationships that unite us across borders.
Our annual Global Conference brings the DFK community together. From Munich to Singapore, London to Miami, and most recently Sydney, our conferences have provided members with invaluable opportunities to collaborate, learn, and build lasting connections.
"In my opinion, DFK conferences provide great opportunities to meet other professionals, coming from all over the world, to exchange ideas and experiences and to expand networks, relations and above all, friendships."
- Francesco Nicolini
Edinburgh promises to continue this tradition in a city rich with history, culture and innovation. With a programme designed to inspire discussion and provide practical solutions to shared challenges, as well as plenty of opportunities to connect outside of sessions, this is an event not to be missed.
"Bennett Thrasher want to become a global firm, and for us, DFK conferences are an opportunity to build our global network which is extremely important for our continued growth."
- Ben Miller
We are excited to be offering a packed agenda! We have the perfect blend of technical and sessions and networking activities that delegates have come to expect from a DFK event!*
Conference Agenda
Monday 7 July
DFK Executive Board Meeting (by invitation only)
Tuesday 8 July
DFK International Tax Seminar
DFK Members Council Meeting (by invitation only)
DFK International Welcome Reception at Edinburgh Castle
Wednesday 9 July
Day 1 Conference
Global Golf Tournament/Highland Games/Whisky Tasting (choice of activity)
Global Dine-Arounds
Thursday 10 July
Day 2 Conference, plus breakout sessions in the afternoon
DFK International Farewell Gala at the National Museum of Scotland
Friday 11 July
Day 3 Conference**
*Please note this schedule is subject to change and is correct as at 24.03.2025
Reservations at the agreed rates may be made until 19th May 2025. After this date we cannot guarantee the DFK rate.
On making your reservation, guests are required to provide a credit/debit card to guarantee their room and the Hotel requires all reservations to be guaranteed with a deposit equal to one night's room and tax.
The Hotel shall accept payment in the form of major credit cards with valid expiration date. Guests will be required to pay the balance of their own accommodation on arrival to the hotel. All Client Guests will be individually responsible for payment of their own room, tax, and incidental charges.
Should a Client Guest cancel a reservation, the Hotel shall refund the deposit, provided notice of cancellation is given 7 days prior to arrival.
Click here to book your room.
Conference Agenda
Monday 7 July
DFK Executive Board Meeting (by invitation only)
Tuesday 8 July
DFK International Tax Seminar
DFK Members Council Meeting (by invitation only)
DFK International Welcome Reception at Edinburgh Castle
Wednesday 9 July
Day 1 Conference
Global Golf Tournament/Highland Games/Whisky Tasting (choice of activity)
Global Dine-Arounds
Thursday 10 July
Day 2 Conference, plus breakout sessions in the afternoon
DFK International Farewell Gala at the National Museum of Scotland
Friday 11 July
Day 3 Conference**
*Please note this schedule is subject to change and is correct as at 24.03.2025
Social Programme
Monday 7th July
Early Arrivals Meet and Greet Drinks and Dinner!
Additional Fee: This dinner is at delegates own cost and is not included in the delegate fee.
Join your fellow early birds for an Early Arrivals Meet and Greet Drinks and Dinner!
Tuesday 8th July
Welcome Reception at Edinburgh Castle
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Queen Anne Courtyard for a welcome fit for royalty, with exclusive access to view the Crown Jewels.
(Please note that photography is strictly prohibited. We kindly ask that you respect this requirement, as anyone found taking photographs will be asked to leave the reception by Castle staff.)
Welcome drinks and canapés will be served throughout the evening.
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Transportation Provided
Wednesday 9th July
Golf Tournament
Additional Fee applies
Further details are available on the registration site.
Highland Games
Additional Fee applies
Experience the Highland Games!
Scotland's Highland games were traditionally held by Scottish Clan Chiefs to test their men's strengths. Observing their performance, the Chief would decide who was best suited for different tasks. The fastest runner would become the messenger, and the strongest men would become the warriors.
Today, the games are still enjoyed by Athletes who train to compete for Scottish and international prizes…and now our DFK Family!
You will get to compete in "Clans" in each of the following activities…there will be winner and "loser" prizes!
•Caber Tossing
•Hammer Throwing
•Scots Stone Putt
•Bagpipe Workshop
•Scottish Dancing Class
•Welly Wang
•Stag Hoopla
Further details are available on the registration site.
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:30PM
Dress Code: Comfortable clothing and sensible footwear
Transportation Provided
Whisky Makers' Cellar Tasting
Additional Fee applies
Whisky Makers' Cellartasting located in the atmospheric vaults of Johnnie Walker. This is a 90-minuteexperience that involves an in-depth focus on the role of the cask in the whisky-making process and the opportunity to taste four whiskies drawn direct from the cask, as well as sampling an exclusive Johnnie Walker Princes Street expression created by one of our master makers, only available at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
Capacity of 18pax - book early to avoid disappointment!
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30PM
Dress Code: Comfortable clothing and sensible footwear
Transportation Provided
Whiskey and Chocolate Tasting
Additional Fee applies
The Johnnie & The Chocolatier: Luxury Whisky & Artisanal Chocolate Pairing is a unique hour-long journey where you will expertly nose and taste a selection of exceptional whiskies including Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Dundas and Johnnie Walker Legendary Eight, each paired with a luxury chocolate truffle, created by Iain Burnett, the Highland Chocolatier, culminating with the highly sought-after Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet.
Capacity of 18pax - book early to avoid disappointment!
Time: 3:15 PM – 4:15PM
Dress Code: Comfortable clothing and sensible footwear
Transportation Provided
Dine Arounds
Additional Fee: This dinner is at delegates own cost and is not included in the delegate fee.
Get you know you fellow delegates in a more intimate setting. Delegates will be given the opportunity to split in to smaller groups and enjoy a dinner at local restaurants.
The DFK Conference team will contact you closer to the event to give you an opportunity to sign up for a restaurant of your choice.
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30PM
Dress Code: Smart/casual
Thursday 10th July
Gala Ball
Enjoy a Gala evening like no other at the beautiful National Museum of Scotland, a true Scottish evening for all, featuring the famous Drum and Retreat on departure.
Time: 7:00 PM – 12 midnight
Dress Code: Black Tie (Kilts encouraged!)
Information on kilt hire is available on the registration site.
Transportation Provided
Rebecca Adlington OBE
Rebecca Adlington is Great Britain’s most successful female swimmer. She became a household name following her two-gold medal winning performances at the Beijing Games in August 2008 and her unique blend of charisma and charm allied to her dedication and professionalism in the pool has made her a global superstar, and a role model for female athletes around the world.
Becky’s drive and thirst for success meant that she won a medal in each of the Olympic finals she swam. A four-time Olympic medallist in the 400m and 800m Freestyle, she won two Gold medals in Beijing 2008 and two Bronze medals in London 2012.
Following her success in Beijing, Becky was awarded an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace and accepted the Laureus World Sports Awards ‘Breakthrough of the Year Award’ from Sebastian Coe.
Becky announced her retirement from elite swimming in 2013 and has since undertaken numerous roles in swimming commentary and punditry. A mainstay for the BBC’s coverage of the 2015 World Championships, the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow, the 2019 and 2020 International Swimming League, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and most recently the 2024 Paris Olympics, Becky is an articulate and respected media presence.
Following her retirement Becky announced a vision for her legacy; a swimming initiative with the goal that every child in Britain will be able to swim 25 metres by the time they leave primary school. Her famous drive has been channelled into this vision ever since and across the UK, Swim! delivers proven child-led programmes, by experts in premium and family friendly centres, to provide a best in class learn to swim! experience for 0-11 year olds.
In June 2016, Becky became a Patron of Women in Sport to help support the charity’s work in transforming sport for the benefit of every woman and girl in the UK. Becky is also an ambassador of the Encephalitis Society, a national charity and the only resource of its kind in the world supporting people affected by the illness.
A trusted voice for women in sport, Becky is an experienced ambassador, spokesperson and pundit as well as a full time business owner and mum to her two children, Summer & Albie.
Becky is a well-practiced and eloquent public speaker. Sharing the journey of her career, Becky talks about motivation and dedication as well as how teamwork is fundamental in achieving success in anything. Becky talks about recognising what is truly important, focusing on wellbeing and how to find mental resilience when there are so many uncontrollable factors. In addition to speaking of her earlier sporting experiences, Becky also draws on her learnings as a business owner and how she has dealt with change.
Jonathan Pain
Jonathan Pain is a Director of JP Consulting and has 39 years of international investment experience having led investment teams in London, Bahrain and Australia.
Jonathan holds a joint honours degree in Economics and Politics from Keele University and a master’s degree in finance from Exeter University.
He is the author and publisher of a widely read investment newsletter, The Weekly Pain Report and is a regular guest on CNBC TV.
In one of his most contrarian calls he predicted Donald Trump would win the 2016 US election.
On Monday 24 February 2020, in a CNBC TV interview, he warned of an imminent 20-25% crash in global equity markets saying the financial markets were far too complacent about the COVID outbreak. He was wrong they fell 35%.
Through 2021 he warned that central banks had kept interest rates too low for too long and had lost control of inflation. In November 2021 he issued a stark warning that interest rates would have to rise sharply and called for a major decline in equity markets.
Jonathan sees the world as a giant jigsaw puzzle, with new pieces arriving every day. Each piece contains a clue and a hint of what the future might look like.
Having been born in South Africa and lived in Lesotho, Swaziland, England and Bahrain, Jonathan now calls Australia home.
Fredrik Härén
Fredrik Härén is:
– Experienced. He has delivered more than 2000 speeches, from huge conferences with 10,000+ people in the audience, to small, intimate groups of VIP guests.
– Knowledgeable. Over a 20-year professional speaking career, Fredrik has met with, learnt from and interviewed thousands of business leaders from across the world. He has written ten books, hundreds of articles and created hundreds of videos with content.
– Passionate. As a full-time keynote speaker for two decades, speaking is Fredrik’s sole focus. He has mastered the art and science of delivering a speech that is both entertaining and full of valuable content.
Fredrik Härén is The Creativity Explorer, a global keynote speaker on Business Creativity, Innovation and Change.
He has delivered over 2,000 presentations, lectures and workshops in over 75 countries on 6 continents and has inspired over a million people from the stage to become more creative and to look at the world in a new way. He is celebrating 25 years as a professional speaker in year 2025.
He is the author of ten books, including “The Idea Book” which was included in “The 100 Best Business Books of All Time”. His latest book, The World of Creativity, will be launched this year, with Wiley Publishers.
Fredrik has been inducted in “Speaker Hall of Fame” on 2 continents. He is a CSP as well as Global Speaking Fellow. He is a recipient of “TIA”, given by The Global Speakers Federation and considered the highest award in the international speaking community.
Edinburgh Castle Partner
- Website:
- www.xero.com/uk/
Royal Mile Partner
- Website:
- www.frontlineaccounting.com/
Highland Games Partner
- Website:
- www.fusesign.com/
Highland Games Partner
- Website:
- www.bglcorp.com/
Highland Games Partner
- Website:
- trullion.com/