The DFK ANZ Annual Conference 2025 took place from 21–23 May at the Sofitel Broadbeach, bringing together over 60+ delegates from across Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. As one of the premier events on the DFK calendar, this year’s conference delivered a dynamic and forward-focused program that inspired deep professional connection, shared learning, and strategic alignment across the association.
Kicking off with the Managing Partners Forum and Tax Forum on Day One, the program quickly gathered momentum with an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions across three jam-packed days. Key highlights included:
- Jonathan Pain, international economist and global strategist, who offered an eye-opening Global Outlook keynote that challenged attendees to think beyond the horizon.
- Daniel Murray led a compelling session on Empathy, Ethics and AI, guiding firms through the human lens of technological change.
- Leadership coach Cameron Ogilvie delivered practical tools for business performance with Get a Grip on Your Business: 6 Key Ways to Getting What You Want from Your Business.
- Nick Sinclair and a panel of industry leaders explored agility in talent strategy and emerging trends in workforce capability.
- Updates from the International Board, Leadership Academy, Asia Pacific, Emerging Leaders, HR, and PDP training ensured firms remain updated with all things DFK!
This year also marked the inaugural Audit Breakout Session, a much-anticipated addition to the program. Special recognition goes to Faizal Ajmat of DFK Laurence Varnay, who coordinated and facilitated this session, providing a dedicated forum for audit professionals to collaborate on quality, consistency, and innovation — setting the foundation for a new benchmark of excellence within the audit discipline.
The value of the DFK ANZ Conference continues to lie not just in its content, but in the opportunity it offers members to build meaningful professional relationships across borders. Delegates consistently report that the connections formed, the open exchange of ideas, and the shared problem-solving are what make the event truly exceptional.
The conference culminated in the DFK ANZ Dinner, where DFK Laurence Varnay was announced as Firm of the Year — a prestigious honour that recognises excellence in client service, firm growth, team engagement, and contribution to the broader DFK network.
As DFK ANZ continues to evolve and grow, the Annual Conference remains a flagship event for members to connect, reflect and move forward together. Planning is already underway for 2026 — and we look forward to welcoming both returning and new faces as we build on this year’s success.
