Missed the roundtable? Here’s what happened – and why it mattered.

Recently, I had the opportunity to host a fascinating roundtable discussion with Leonardo Gambini from Anaplan, centred around the theme: “Digitalisation of FP&A – Informed Decisions and Efficiency Thanks to the Latest Technology.” This was no ordinary finance talk — it was a deep-dive into the real challenges and breakthroughs happening in modern financial planning.

The event brought together senior finance professionals from some of the region’s most influential companies, including Aptiv, InPost, Smurfit Westrock, Yareal, and JLL. What followed was a lively, honest exchange of ideas, experiences, and emerging trends — with a standout presentation presented by Amelia Fąfara, Director of FP&A, CBRE on how they’re using Anaplan to reimagine FP&A.  Here's what we learned.

Building the Foundation: Data First, Tech Second 

CBRE’s story was refreshingly transparent. They didn’t shy away from the messy reality many of us are all too familiar with: scattered spreadsheets, inconsistent data sources, and painful consolidation processes. Their transformation started with one principle — get the data right.

They invested heavily in cleaning and structuring their data, assigning clear ownership across regions. This became the bedrock for everything that followed.

Planning at Scale, Without Losing the Local View

A key theme was how CBRE managed to scale its planning framework across a global business without losing local relevance. Their modular model design allows each region to tailor inputs while keeping the overall structure aligned to global standards — a balance many of us are still striving to achieve.

Fast, Flexible Scenario Planning

Volatility came up again and again — from shifting tariffs and supply chain disruptions to inflation and currency swings. CBRE demonstrated how Anaplan now allows their finance team to run real-time “what-if” scenarios to support faster, more confident decision-making.  This kind of agility isn't just helpful — it's essential in today’s environment. Several participants noted that their current tools just aren’t keeping up.

AI & the “Black Box” Dilemma

Naturally, AI made its way into the discussion. Delegates were curious about the potential for predictive models and machine learning in financial planning. While CBRE isn’t using AI extensively yet, they made it clear they’re laying the groundwork — and being cautious.

One comment stuck with me: “Without data quality and transparency, AI is just a very confident liar.” The group echoed concerns about the “black box” nature of some AI models, and the need for explainability in finance.

People Power: Adoption Is Everything

Another standout theme? Adoption. CBRE didn’t just roll out technology — they brought people with them. Local champions, targeted training, and strong change management helped drive engagement and ownership across finance teams. The consensus in the room was clear: even the best tech fails without buy-in from the people who use it.

Looking Ahead: From Finance to Enterprise Planning

CBRE shared hints about expanding Anaplan beyond traditional FP&A into areas like workforce planning and investment modelling. The long-term vision is connected enterprise planning — and they’re well on their way.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a case study. It was a look into the evolving role of finance — one where agility, insight, and collaboration are taking centre stage. Whether you’re exploring Anaplan or just thinking about modernising your planning approach, there was something here for everyone.

The big takeaway? Don’t wait for the perfect time. Start with what you have, clean your data, involve your people, and take the first step. Transformation doesn’t have to be massive — it just has to be meaningful.

If you couldn’t make it to the event, you definitely missed some great insights — but the conversation is far from over. I’d love to hear how you’re approaching digital planning in your organisation and how it’s helping you respond to today’s uncertainty.

And if you’re looking to optimise your Anaplan model or explore digital planning for the first time, feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to share ideas or point you in the right direction.