UK financial services COOs and Transformation Leaders are under unprecedented pressure: reduce costs while supporting growth, absorb continuous regulatory change, deploy AI and automation, and run day-to-day operations that cannot fail. Yet operating models built for today’s business are often incompatible with the pace and complexity of change required.

This invitation-only roundtable will explore why traditional transformation adds cost and complexity rather than solving it — and why simplification, not acceleration, is now the critical capability. Participants will discuss how to build operating models capable of continuous simplification, so transformation, digital initiatives, and regulatory change can actually succeed.

Key Takeaways for Participants

• Reframe: Understand why regulation, technology, and AI are exposing operational complexity rather than causing it.

• See the hidden cost of complexity: Identify where non-value-adding work consumes 40–60% of operational effort.

• Diagnose before redesigning: Learn how to assess operational reality before launching transformation initiatives.

• Simplify before scaling: Explore practical approaches to reduce complexity before deploying new tech or programmes.

• Ask the right questions: Understand what to demand from transformation partners to avoid wasted effort and cost.

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For more information, reach out to our Events & Marketing Executive Tom Langdale-Hunt at tlangdale-hunt@sfe.org.uk.