Beyond the Numbers: A Strategic and Integrated Vision for the Future of the Finance Function

The SDA Bocconi Reunion of the Finance & Performance Management area once again proved to be a valuable opportunity for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and networking among former participants, faculty, and industry professionals. It served as a platform to explore ongoing transformations and discuss the key skills required of today’s finance professionals.

The event, titled "Beyond the Numbers | The Evolution of the Finance Function between Value, Sustainability, and Strategic Change," unfolded through four thematic panels, each dedicated to a core aspect of the function: CFO leadership, M&A operations, risk management, and sustainability reporting.

The event opened with welcome remarks by Emanuela Prandelli, Associate Dean for Open Programs, SDA Bocconi and Ariela Caglio, Director of the Accounting Knowledge Area and the New Value Knowledge Platform, SDA Bocconi, who highlighted how the CFO’s role is expanding and becoming increasingly strategic—often serving as a steppingstone to top executive positions, including CEO.

The Changing Role of the CFO
The first panel, led by Gianluca Meloni, Associate Professor of Practice in Accounting and Control, SDA Bocconi and Federico Pippo, Senior Lecturer in Corporate Finance, SDA Bocconi emphasized the importance of business acumen, data and technology mastery, and the ability to leverage human capital to drive transformation. Francesca Fracassi, CFO of Q8, and Alessandro Basile, CFO of Banca Sella Group, stressed that talent management, generational integration, and a culture of responsibility are now indispensable levers.

M&A and Value Creation
The second panel, moderated by Daniela Travella, Senior Lecturer in Financial Accounting & Analysis, SDA Bocconi explored mergers and acquisitions as tools for growth and transformation. Alongside Francesco Bertocchini, Managing Director at Nomura, and Umberto Giacometti, Managing Director and Head of EMEA Financial Sponsors at Nomura Bank International PLC, the discussion highlighted the importance of strategic alignment between management, investors, and governance, as well as the ability to generate real synergies. Today’s M&A activity requires a broad vision that extends beyond financial metrics to encompass cultural and organizational dimensions.

Emerging Risks and New Capabilities
In the third panel, Giampaolo Gabbi, Associate Dean of the Custom Programs Division for Corporate and Financial Institutions, SDA Bocconi and Paola Tagliavini, Senior Lecturer in Audit & Risk Management, SDA Bocconi addressed risk management amid increasing geopolitical, technological, and operational complexity. Managing risk now demands a multifactorial, cross-functional, and integrated approach—grounded in a culture of awareness and strong managerial capabilities. The experiences shared by Grazia Fimiani, CRO of ENI, and Davide Alfonsi, CRO of Intesa Sanpaolo, underscored the importance of agile models, cross-functional dialogue, and continuous learning to deal with hard-to-quantify risks.

Sustainability Reporting as a Value Driver
In the final panel, dedicated to sustainability reporting, Ariela Caglio and Chiara Del Prete, Chairwoman of EFRAG, reflected on the impact of the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and on early implementation experiences. The need to simplify reporting—while maintaining quality and strategic relevance—was emphasized. Transparency, cross-functional collaboration, and data quality were identified as key enablers for transforming regulatory requirements into opportunities for value creation. This is especially relevant for SMEs, for which a dedicated standard could help streamline compliance.

The Reunion provided not only a deep dive into timely and pressing topics but also a meaningful opportunity for exchange among professionals who, despite diverse backgrounds, share a common language of expertise, vision, and responsibility. In a constantly evolving landscape, education remains the strategic lever for interpreting change and leading it with confidence. Through its programs and faculty, SDA Bocconi supports those who aim to transform the finance function into a driver of sustainable value—for companies and for society.

SDA Bocconi School of Management

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