Smart Tech, Smarter Decisions: Leveraging technology for financial transformation

Join us for an interactive session where we will explore how cutting-edge technology has helped local businesses revolutionise their finances and accounting systems, enhancing overall performance.

Our esteemed panel of experts, including Virgin Money and Enzygo, will share real-life examples of how the use of tech has streamlined financial operations, reduced errors, and provided real-time insights into their businesses. Learn from their experiences on how harnessing the power of technology has enabled them to optimise their financial practices and has helped drive efficiency, accuracy, and profitability.

About the speakers

• Matthew Travis – Managing Director, Enzygo
  Matthew has over 20 years of senior management experience, focusing on P&L, hiring, and growth strategies. Since 2008, he has expanded Enzygo from a three-person team to a company with over £9 million in revenue (2024) and a notable profit margin. He doubled the business in the past five years and led the 2023 acquisition of Brown2Green Associates, integrating their staff and systems within 60 days. Matthew expanded Enzygo to six UK locations and fostered a culture where 20% of staff have been with the company for over a decade. His consultancy vision emphasizes “Director-led solutions to complex Environmental Problems.” Matthew’s expertise includes project management, hydrology, and flood and drainage modelling. He has acted as an expert witness in over 40 planning appeals. He is also a trustee of The Steel Valley Project and has held governance roles in several academies, improving their performance. Additionally, he has been active in the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce since 2010 and becomes President in November this year.

• Mark Bain – Virtual Finance Function Partner, AAB
  Mark is a VFF Partner based in Leeds and has over 25 years experience of advisory in professional practice and in industry working in event and venue management, corporate and retail hospitality, live music and entertainment production, and professional services.​ Mark Bain: “My experience benefits from working not only as a professional advisor working on client’s businesses, but also working in a business as a business owner and in senior management roles as a Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director. This practical experience is the value that our VFF team bring in supporting an organisation’s finance department and stakeholders in their growth journey”.

• Richard Hartley – Strategic Finance Director, Virgin Money
  Rich is a Director in the Virgin Money Y&NE Strategic Finance team, is based in Leeds and has worked at the bank since January 2023. Prior to that he worked in professional practice for over 8 years, in both Audit and Financial Advisory. Rich’s current role involves assessing new to bank opportunities for leveraged corporate buyouts, working with both private equity and professional advisors in the Y&NE region and nationally. Rich’s most recent deals include a leading mobility equipment retailer headquartered in Scunthorpe and a lifting / hoisting equipment manufacturer based in Northumberland.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided by Opera North restaurant Kino, where head chef is Josh Whitehead, former MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalist. The event is organised by AAB. We’ll be continuing to add to our stellar lineup of panelists. Stay tuned for updates!