We're super excited to have Liudmila Gudina, Fagron's Global Working Capital Manager, join us for a chat before her big session at the FP&A Summit in London!
Liudmila's a financial strategy guru who's gonna drop some serious knowledge during her talk - "Driving Financial Agility: Effective Working Capital Strategies for FP&A."
In Liudmila's session at the FP&A Summit, you'll learn how to:
- Smooth out your cash flow
- Manage your inventory like a pro
- Optimize your receivables and payables
In this exclusive interview, Liudmila shares more insights about her upcoming session and how to cultivate a "cash-focused culture that aligns financial strategies with operational goals".
Hi Liudmila, can you tell us about yourself?
Hi, I’m Liudmila, and I’m thrilled to be here as a Global Working Capital Manager at Fagron. With over fifteen years of experience optimizing financial reporting and working capital for leading multinational companies, I’m passionate about the intricate balance between finance and operations.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working across various regions, including EMEA, North America, and LATAM, which has enriched my perspective and ability to navigate complex financial landscapes.
Beyond work, I’m deeply interested in cultural exchange, which has shaped my ability to navigate and lead in diverse, international environments. I speak five languages and love spending time with my family and kids. I study piloting the small planes in my free time. ✈️
What will you be speaking about at our event?
At the FP&A Summit in London, I’ll be sharing insights on how to cultivate a cash-focused culture that aligns financial strategies with operational goals to drive working capital efficiency.
I’ll discuss the importance of communication, aligned incentives, and tailored approaches in managing working capital across different regions and business units that support executive decision-making at Global level.
What is the main message or key takeaway you hope attendees will gain from your presentation?
The key takeaway from my presentation will be the importance of integrating financial strategies with business objectives to achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Attendees will learn how aligning communication, incentives, and localized tailor-made strategies can significantly boost working capital efficiency, even in complex, multinational environments.
I hope attendees leave with a clear understanding of how to keep focus of everyone to optimizing working capital and improving cash flow management on the daily basis.
Who is your ideal attendee for this event?
My ideal attendee is a finance or operations leader who is looking to optimize their company’s working capital and drive financial sustainability.
This presentation will be valuable to them because it offers practical, proven strategies for integrating financial management with operational processes, ultimately leading to improved cash flow and reduced dependency on external financing.
What are you looking forward to the most about the event?
I’m most looking forward to engaging with fellow professionals who are passionate about financial management and working capital optimization.
I’m eager to share experiences, learn from others, and explore innovative approaches to managing working capital in today’s challenging economic environment. It’s always exciting to engage in discussions that challenge conventional thinking and explore innovative approaches to cash conversion management.
Can you provide a brief teaser of what attendees can expect from your presentation?
Attendees can expect a deep dive into actionable strategies for optimizing working capital and improving cash flow management, all framed within the context of achieving broader business goals.
I’ll share real-world examples from my experience working with multinational companies, illustrating how these strategies can be implemented effectively. I’ll share specific examples of how we’ve reworked credit policies, aligned operational targets with financial outcomes, and implemented a “helicopter” approach to adapt best practices across different regions and business units.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to ensure that your work always drives toward the company’s larger goals. Understanding the big picture and how your role fits into it allows you to make a more significant impact and align your efforts with the overall success of the organization.
What advice would you give to young professionals starting out in the finance industry?
For young professionals in the finance industry, my advice is to build a solid foundation in both the alignment and strategic aspects of finance.
Focus on understanding the connection between financial metrics and operational performance, and cultivate strong communication skills to effectively collaborate across functions.
How can attendees connect with you after the event to learn more?
Attendees can connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out via email. I’m always open to continuing the conversation and exploring opportunities to collaborate on driving financial and operational success.
Join us at the FP&A Summit London!
Unleash the full strategic potential of your financial planning & analysis function at the FP&A Summit in London on November 6!
Join FP&A leaders as they share best practices and common challenges to keep you up-to-date with the latest innovations and skills you need to increase forecasting accuracy, integrate AI and automation and drive growth through business partnering.
See you at the FP&A Summit in London!
