BUFDG Annual Meeting 2025

WELCOME!

We’re pleased to welcome you to the BUFDG Annual Meeting 2025, the face-to-face get together for university CFOs/FDs. It's a unique opportunity to meet colleagues, share challenges, and gain high-level, HE-specific finance knowledge. This year it again takes place at the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th April.

The main programme (including this year's BUFDG AGM) is on Wednesday 30th April (running from 9am – 4pm), with an informal dinner on the evening of Tuesday 29th. As with last year, we’ll also be hosting a range of 'fringe' meetings on Tuesday 29th, from 11am until 4pm for all groups, for you to meet and discuss challenges with colleagues in a similar situation. These meetings include the various mission groups and 'smaller HEPs' and 'larger HEPs' meetings. Following this (from 4pm-5pm) is the opportunity to attend one of either an LGPS- or USS-specific session to cover pension scheme updates and issues. 

ACCOMMODATION AND DINNER

Accommodation is available on site at the Edgbaston Park Hotel. The dinner will also take place here. Accommodation, as well as the dinner, will need to be selected as separate items on the booking page – and these are set at cost price. You can find out more in the ticket options below.

As we are starting the fringe meetings earlier this year, we have secured some bedrooms for Monday 28th, for those that may wish to stay the night before.  Please note that there are only 20 bedrooms available so early booking is recommended.

PROGRAMME

The meeting on the 30th provides the opportunity to hear from a range of excellent speakers across three in-depth plenary sessions and two breakouts, and to network and discuss with fellow CFOs. We're currently putting the finishing touches to the programme, but the sessions include:

• An economic round-up and outlook from the IFS' HE specialist Kate Ogden
  
• UUK blueprint, shared services, and the sector approach to transformation
• Funding your organisational strategy and transformation
• Planning decarbonisation and funding your sustainability targets
• Regional growth / cooperation and the civic impact of universities, with Lloyds and PwC

SUPPORTER / SECTOR INVOLVEMENT

We’re sticking with the format of last year’s event, and will be hosting just 25-30 specifically invited delegates from the most significant sector supporters – including the major banks, auditors, and pensions advisers, and representatives from other HE organisations. They are there to contribute to the sessions and discussions and share their expertise as required. There are no stands, exhibition, or other sponsorship.

COSTS / TICKET OPTIONS

The prices for the various elements are:

• Monday night accommodation - if required (£124 + VAT)
• Tuesday ‘mission group’ (and other group) meetings (FREE)
• Tuesday dinner (£45 + VAT)
• Tuesday night accommodation (£124 + VAT)
  
• Wednesday Annual Meeting (£230 + VAT)

Bedrooms at Edgbaston Park Hotel are limited so for the best chance of securing on-site accommodation early booking is recommended, we advise doing so by 28 February 2025. 

TRAVEL

As the university has its own train station, we would encourage you where possible to travel by public transport. If you do decide to drive, then there is free parking on site. There are also several charging points - more information can be found here. Please also be aware that Birmingham has a ULEZ zone.

If you have any questions or comments please do email Gill Birch or Matt Sisson. Please select the ‘Book Now’ button at the top right of the page to book.

We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham!