At the 2025 PPN P2P Transformation Summit, a panel of finance leaders shared their experiences and advice on preparing for a digital future. But instead of just talking about tech trends, they focused on what really moves the needle: getting your people, data, and mindset ready for change.
The Panelists were:
- Richard Ransom, Head of Solution Consultants: Corporates, Bottomline
- Sarah Watson, Director of Finance, Roffey Park Institute
- Daniel Chapman, Senior Director for Process Transformation, Warner Music Group
- Amna Zaidi, Founder, CEO and Transformation Director
Here are five practical takeaways you can apply now:
1. Don’t Start with AI. Start with Fixing Your Foundations
It’s tempting to jump straight into automation or AI. But if your processes are messy or your data is unreliable, tech will only make things worse.
Do this instead:
- Map your current processes, especially for vendor onboarding and invoice handling
- Identify where delays, errors, or confusion creep in
- Clean up your workflows before you layer on automation
“AI isn’t step one. You need to be ready before you automate—or you’ll just end up replicating chaos.”
— Daniel Chapman, Warner Music Group
2. Focus on Data Quality First
Once you digitize, your data becomes your biggest asset, or your biggest liability.
Clean, structured data enables better forecasting, smarter reporting, fewer supplier disputes, and stronger compliance. Bad data leads to the opposite.
Where to start:
- Review the quality of supplier master data
- Standardize how you collect key info (e.g., tax IDs, payment terms, bank details)
- Prioritize fixing this at the onboarding stage—don’t let bad data in the front door
3. Think Beyond Tools—Build Internal Alignment
Digital transformation isn’t just a finance project. You need buy-in and cooperation from IT, procurement, compliance, and even legal.
To get everyone on the same page:
- Share dashboards and reports so everyone’s working from the same data
- Set joint goals, like reducing fraud risk or improving supplier satisfaction
- Make time for regular cross-functional check-ins
“Compliance shouldn’t be a box-ticking exercise. It’s a strategic opportunity to reduce fraud and strengthen control.”
— Richard Ransom, Bottomline
4. Change Management Is Where Digital Projects Succeed or Fail
No tool will fix unclear roles, siloed teams, or cultural resistance.
If you’re rolling out new systems or processes, communication and leadership matter just as much as technology.
Tips for smoother adoption:
- Don’t just announce a change, focus on explaining why it matters and how it helps
- Make your CFO or other senior leaders visible in supporting the change
- Give teams time to learn, adapt, and give feedback
“Leaders have to show that they back the project, ideally from a CFO, they are your sponsor in the room who will help you with the messaging around how this project is going to deliver strategic goals for the year.” Sarah Watson, Director of Finance, Roffey Park Institute
5. Good Processes Improve Liquidity—Not Just Efficiency
Digital transformation isn’t only about cutting costs. When you have better visibility over your payables and receivables, you can forecast cash more accurately and make smarter working capital decisions.
What that looks like in practice:
- Suppliers get paid on time, reducing friction
- You can prioritize payments based on real-time data
- You’re less reliant on short-term borrowing or emergency fixes
The Bottom Line:
Digital transformation isn’t a one-time project or a single tool. It’s a shift in how your team works, thinks, and collaborates.
“Success isn’t about following a perfect path. It’s about knowing what to do when there isn’t one.” Amna Zaidi, Founder, CEO and Transformation Director
You don’t need to do everything at once. But you do need to start with your foundations: your processes, your data, and your people.
Then the tech can get to work.
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