Life Sciences Finance Re-imagined: Skills, Technology and Leadership for the Next Decade

Location

Novartis Pavillion, Sankt Johanns-Hafen Weg 5, 4056 Basel

CIMA and Horváth are pleased to invite you to Life Sciences Finance Reimagined: Skills, Technology and Leadership for the Next Decade, an exclusive event bringing together finance professionals, business leaders, and industry experts from across the sector.

The event will explore the trends, technologies, and capabilities shaping the future of finance across CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medtech, and healthcare organizations. Attendees will gain practical insights into Digital FP&A, finance transformation, talent development, and the growing influence of data, analytics, and AI on decision-making. Through expert perspectives and industry discussion, they will discover how finance professionals can create greater business impact and build the capabilities needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.

During the evening, we will also officially launch the CIMA Life Sciences Community, a new platform designed to connect finance professionals across the sector, facilitate knowledge sharing, and create opportunities for ongoing collaboration and professional development.

Key Topics

During the event, industry experts will explore:

• The Life Sciences market outlook and key trends shaping the sector
• The future of Digital FP&A and finance transformation
• How AI, automation, and analytics are redefining finance roles and responsibilities
• The skills and capabilities finance professionals need to succeed in a rapidly changing environment
• How finance teams can create greater business value through technology, data, and business partnering
• Career development and talent trends across the Life Sciences industry

Agenda

• 17:30 – 17:45 Arrival & Registration
• 17:45 – 17:50 Welcome and Introduction
• 17:50 – 18:10 The Future of Life Sciences: Market Outlook and Industry Trends
  Speaker: Paul Toms, the Founder and CEO, EMEA Recruitment
• 18:10 – 18:30 Digital FP&A: The Skills and Capabilities Defining Tomorrow's Finance Leaders
  Speaker: Chris Sawyer, Head of Digital Finance, Lonza
• 18:30 – 18:50 Finance as growth architect: Financial leadership throughout a growth journey
  Speaker: Christoph Meinert, Fractional CFO & Founder of Beyond Finance Partners
• 18:50 – 19:25 Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A: What's Next for Digital Finance in Life Sciences?
  A discussion with finance leaders and industry experts on the opportunities and challenges facing finance teams in the years ahead.
• 19:25-19:30 Launch of the CIMA Life Sciences Community
  Introduction to the new community, its objectives, and opportunities for involvement.
• 19:30 – 21:00: Networking Reception (Apéro)

Why Attend

• Gain practical insights into the future of finance in the Life Sciences sector.
• Understand how digital technologies are transforming finance functions and decision-making.
• Learn from experienced finance leaders and industry experts.
• Discover the skills that will be most valuable in an increasingly technology-enabled environment.
• Connect with finance professionals from across the region and the wider Life Sciences ecosystem.
• Be among the first to join the new CIMA Life Sciences Community.

This event is an opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures, gain fresh perspectives on the future of finance in Life Sciences, and connect with a diverse network of professionals from across the industry.

Whether you are an experienced finance leader, an emerging professional, a CIMA member, a CGMA candidate, or simply interested in the future of digital finance, you will leave with valuable insights, practical ideas, and new professional connections.

The event will be delivered in English.

Co-Host

Meet the Speakers

Paul Toms is the Founder and CEO of EMEA Recruitment, with more than 20 years of international recruitment experience across Switzerland, the Netherlands, and wider EMEA markets.

He works closely with organizations and professionals to understand their ambitions and identify the talent and capabilities businesses need, with a focus on middle-management to executive-level roles across Finance & Accountancy, HR, Technology & Transformation, Procurement & Supply Chain, and other specialist functions.

Paul is also an ambassador for Operation Smile and hosts the EMEA Recruitment podcast, where he speaks with business leaders about their careers, organizations, and experiences, sharing practical insights to help professionals develop and progress.

Chris Sawyer is a senior Data & Analytics leader with over 25 years of experience spanning business, technology, and digital transformation. He has a strong track record of developing data strategies, building high-performing technology teams, and leading the delivery of analytics, business intelligence, financial systems, and digital solutions across both large corporations and start-ups.

Combining deep technical expertise with strong business acumen, Chris helps organizations unlock value from data, drive innovation, and implement technology solutions that support strategic objectives. His experience covers cloud technologies, data platforms, ERP, BI and EPM implementations, product management, and digital application development, with industry expertise across Retail, Healthcare, and Software.

From CFO roles in emerging markets to shaping global R&D finance at Bayer, Christoph Meinert has spent two decades transforming finance into a catalyst for innovation and growth. As founder of Beyond Finance Partners, he helps Life Sciences companies scale, transform, and navigate complexity through a combination of finance expertise, business transformation, and cutting-edge AI capabilities. His guiding belief: Purpose drives motivation. Motivation drives performance.