Elite accountants and solicitors from around the world gathered in Cambridge this summer for a joint conference hosted by global accounting association IAPA and international legal network Avrio Advocati. In this article we reflect on some of the key learnings and take aways from the conference in historic Cambridge.
Martin Clapson, CEO of Price Bailey and IAPA, opened the conference with a warm welcome, encouraging delegates to make the most of the opportunity to connect—not just professionally, but personally. “Get to know each other. Become friends,” he urged, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that defines both networks.
Tomas Wiklinski, Global Chair of IAPA, reinforced the value of bringing the two communities together, highlighting the tremendous potential that closer cooperation between IAPA and Avrio Advocati can bring. His comments set the tone for a conference focused on knowledge-sharing, trust-building and joint opportunity.
Bruce Bowden, President of Avrio Advocati, reminded everyone that behind every successful cross-border case or transaction is a trusted advisor. “Having a reliable network of skilled professionals you can refer work to is key,” he said. He encouraged delegates to make the most of their time in Cambridge to build those crucial relationships.
The morning’s energy and inspiration culminated in a powerful keynote address from Shaun Grady, UK Chair of AstraZeneca—the UK’s most valuable publicly listed company and third-largest exporter (surpassing even Scotch whisky). Grady provided a compelling insight into the inner workings of AstraZeneca and the role of purposeful leadership in navigating a complex global landscape.
He emphasised the company’s unwavering focus on research and development to continually replenish its portfolio, crediting CEO Pascal Soriot’s strategy of “client-centric science” for placing the business at the forefront of therapy innovation and global impact. Under Soriot’s leadership, AstraZeneca has diversified its portfolio, expanded its global reach and created positive change not just for shareholders, but for society and the planet.
Grady also underscored the importance of partnerships—AstraZeneca maintains over 1,000 globally—as central to the company’s success. In an era of rapid change, he explained that nimbleness is essential. When asked how the board gets timely information to make decisions under pressure, he pointed to a culture of trust and agility: “The CEO has won the confidence of the board and senior leadership, allowing for swift and informed decision-making.”
On how AstraZeneca determines which diseases to prioritise, Grady explained that the company conducts annual portfolio reviews to assess where they lead and where they are merely following, exiting markets that do not align with their strengths.
The keynote was a fitting reminder of the transformative power of strategy, partnerships, and leadership—principles that resonate equally with lawyers and accountants navigating an ever-evolving professional landscape.
As the conference progressed, delegates continued to reflect on the shared challenges and opportunities across disciplines and borders.
Next up, Graham Thompson, Chief Information Security & Innovation Officer at Irwin Mitchell, shared his goal of blending modern security theory with practical, hands-on experience—ensuring that security not only makes sense to colleagues, but empowers businesses to operate and grow securely. He reminded the audience that what gets measured gets managed, noting that Microsoft Copilot alone can save a fee earner up to an hour a week.
Neill Campbell of PurePath Advisory challenged delegates to embrace ESG, highlighting that while we tend to overestimate what will happen in the next year, we often underestimate the impact of the next decade—an oversight that could prove costly.
Chand Chudasana, Corporate Finance and Marketing Partner at Price Bailey, took a candid look at branding and strategy in his session The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Marketing, showcasing Price Bailey’s new and refreshed approach to how they communicate and connect with clients.
Charlotte Horobin, CEO of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, shared the Chamber’s ethos of local roots, national influence and global reach, and celebrated the region’s exceptional scientific credentials—cementing Cambridge’s reputation as a global hub for knowledge and innovation.
The final session of the conference was a highly interactive panel discussion hosted by Tom Barnard, Partner at Irwin Mitchell, exploring the evolving role of Alternative Dispute Resolution and the strategic use of forensic accountants. The panel featured a truly international perspective, with updates from:
- Clare Wiseman – Irwin Mitchell (UK)
- Ana Rita Relógio – CSA Law Firm (Portugal)
- Rick Geerars – Höcker Advocaten (Netherlands)
- Roberto Castro – AA&C Advisory (Mexico)
- Claudia Keidies – Scheller & Partner (Germany)
- Steven Geller – Morris + D’Angelo (USA)
As delegates headed home, many did so with new ideas, new connections, and a renewed appreciation of the power of trusted, cross-border collaboration. The IAPA Avrio Cambridge Conference was not just a gathering—it was a catalyst for partnerships that will help shape the future of professional services across the two organisations.