Regulus CFO Forum, a new series of CFO fora that seek to highlight opportunities for partnerships, strategic insights and business networking for finance officers, is ready to hold its maiden conference and bring the works of CFOs to the limelight.

Founded and directed by Hitesh Makhija, Chief Financial Controller at Olam Ghana Limited, the forum aims to be the best CFO networking platform in Ghana with a membership of at least 20percent of Ghana’s GDP contributing companies.

As the first of its kind in Ghana, the maiden session of the one-day forum is coming off in September, 2016 and will bring together Chief Finance Officers and Financial Directors of companies having businesses in Ghana but across all sectors of the economy.

Mr. Makhija, explained that the Regulus CFO Forum will provide immense value to members through training of CFOs in the country on business strategies; create mentorship opportunities for new members; create a platform to share best practices; give CFOs advance information on valuable economic trends and activities; and provide high-value, in touch events.

A 2015 survey report of CFOs published by KPMG, a leading audit firm, has shown that CFOs face a lot of challenges in their line of duty, including: exchange rate stability and the effect of these on prudent cost management, inability to predict changes in key macro-economic indicators, inadequate infrastructure and competence of available personnel.

These are challenges, the Regulus CFO Forum seeks to address through meetings, fora, and conferences to enhance the works of CFOs.

While providing leadership to the business in finding the right balance between costs, value and risk, a CFO is also required to manage both internal and external pressures including increasing competitions, globalization, shortage of skilled staff and budget constraints.

Members and participants of the Regulus CFO Forum will also include Finance Controllers, Heads of Accounts, Chief Operating Officers, Heads of Acquisitions, Heads of Business Strategies, Heads of Emerging Markets, and Venture Capitalists.

Mr. Makhija added that to ensure efficiency in its activities, the group’s membership will be strictly by invitation.

With current membership standing at 10 finance executives from top multinational companies in all sectors of the economy (except banking and financial institutions), Mr. Makhija, added that the first 20 participating members will be pre-approved and recognized as founding members of the group.

“The maiden edition of Regulus CFO Forum is free for all members. Therefore, participants will be required to connect to the group’s LinkedIn account as its current mode of registration.

The forum is designed to enhance businesses through the sharing of information, keep CFO actions on top of the mind of members, and create a network of financial experts and mentorship for beginners,” he added.

As the Cluster Finance Controller, at Olam Ghana Limited, Hitesh Makhija, is a finance professional with over 12 years of diversified experience in manufacturing, supply chain, exports and imports.

As a Chartered Accountant with expertise in accounts, audit, finance, law and economics, he gathered his experience from working in various countries including Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore for six years and in Ghana for two years.