How current macroeconomic and geopolitical trends are impacting finance

A discussion on how two major incidents, Brexit and Covid-19, are reshaping trade policies and the CFO’s role in the global environment.

Podcast host Myles Corson is joined by Sally Jones, EY UK Trade Strategy and Brexit Leader, and Nicolas Veron, Senior Fellow at Bruegel in Brussels, and Senior Fellow at Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington D.C. Together, they exchange insights on the impacts of current macroeconomic and geopolitical trends. 

The discussion references two major events - Brexit and Covid-19. Sally and Nicolas share their perspectives on the evolving role of CFOs pre- and post-pandemic, and ways industries are pushing themselves in new and innovative ways to cope with changes.

Industries are now pushing themselves in new and innovative ways to stay relevant. Corporations and government organizations have been incredibly adaptive to the lockdown conditions presented by the pandemic, effectively utilizing technology to shift from in-person to remote work. The challenges businesses are facing and how it’s shaping the role of CFOs and finance leaders in addressing those challenges cannot be understated.

Key Takeaways

• Technology is moving faster than governments and regulations can keep pace with. As disparate regulations emerge to protect consumers and their data, it has become increasing difficult for companies to meet all of the obligations, particularly businesses that operate cross-border.
• Plurilateral trade negotiations are coming together to create cutting-edge, trading commitments that will oblige companies operating within those countries to meet new and more ambitious sustainability standards.
• Trade disruptions, including ones experienced with Brexit or pandemic-related supply chain issues, can help companies pinpoint and modify business functions that operate in isolation and improve communication and cooperation across the organization.