Russell Bedford Ibero-America Conference 2024

March 2024

The Russell Bedford Ibero-America Conference was held this March in the vibrant city of Medellín, Colombia at the Hotel InterContinental. Delegates from across the region came together to share in the exchange of knowledge and ideas, and to build on those all-important working relationships.

Ahead of the start of the conference, the central office team were welcomed by host firm Russell Bedford GCT. This was an excellent opportunity to connect with both the local firm and other representatives from across Colombia, and laid the foundation for an exceptional event to come.  

Day one saw a warm welcome by Global Chair Daniel Ryba and Global Board Director Javier Jiménez Lizardi, alongside Russell Bedford’s CEO, Stephen Hamlet. Together, they kicked off an engaging morning focusing on the network’s future strategy and plans, as well as an analysis of key financial insights for Latin America. The host firm also delivered a presentation on Russell Bedford Colombia, and discussions were held around corporate governance and alternative business structures for consultancy firms.

The momentum carried on into the afternoon with enlightening sessions on M&A methodologies, rethinking the concept of innovation and what this really means (and what it doesn’t!), and invaluable insights were shared amongst members. The evening presented more opportunities for networking, with an enjoyable dinner at the charming Country Club, where delegates savoured the flavours of the region and enjoyed local music and dancing.

Day two opened with an engaging session on successful B2B marketing strategies and insightful discussions on comparative Ibero-American tax regimes. The afternoon gave plenty of opportunity for learning, with the highly topical issue of sustainability and key ESG principles, which was followed by a dynamic team building session led by Russell Bedford Colombia’s Talent Team.

As the conference drew to a close, delegates were treated to a fun-filled evening at the renowned Andrés Carne de Res restaurant, with plenty of laughter, music, and celebration.

Reflecting on the conference, Stephen Hamlet, Russell Bedford CEO emphasised its significance as “an opportunity to not only exchange ideas on strategy and innovation, but to strengthen the invaluable relationships that exist within the network, particularly embracing the togetherness of our firms in Latin America.”

Global Chair of Russell Bedford, Daniel Ryba added that “it was an exciting opportunity for us to come together and synergise our efforts so that we can continue to build firms for the future, offering even stronger services to clients in the region.”