Who Builds the Future?
Europe's
Answer
ABSL 14th Annual Conference
19th of November, 2026
Bucharest, Romania
ABOUT
THE EVENT
ABSL proudly invites you to the 14th Annual Conference – the premier event for the Romanian Business Services Industry. More than 500 professionals and industry leaders will come together to explore the forces reshaping the sector, exchange perspectives and discuss the opportunities ahead.
Who Builds the Future? Europe’s Answer.
As artificial intelligence, intelligent automation and platform engineering redefine the global economy, competitive advantage is shifting. Success is no longer determined only by who operates processes most efficiently, but increasingly by who creates the technologies, platforms and solutions that power the future.
Against this backdrop, this year’s conference will explore Europe’s role in the new innovation landscape and the choices that will define its position in an increasingly technology-driven global economy. As new technologies transform how businesses operate, compete and create value, the conversation is moving beyond adoption and efficiency towards innovation, engineering and the ability to build what comes next.
For Romania, this transformation represents an important opportunity. Building on its position as a trusted and mature business services destination, the country has the potential to further evolve into a hub for engineering, innovation and AI-driven value creation – moving beyond delivery towards higher-value capabilities and a stronger role in shaping the solutions of the future.
Throughout the day, industry leaders will explore how technology is reshaping business models, how talent and leadership need to evolve, and what Europe and Romania need to do to remain relevant and create long-term value in this new landscape.
More than just an annual conference, this is a platform where the leaders of the business services industry come together to challenge ideas, share perspectives and collectively shape the future of the sector.
The future will not simply happen. It will be built. The question is: who will build it?
AGENDA
(To be Updated)
- 08:00 - 09:00
REGISTRATION & WELCOME COFFEE
Welcome to the Annual ABSL Conference, 14th edition.
- 09:00 - 09:05
CONFERENCE OPENING
- 09:05 - 09:10
WELCOME REMARKS
- 09:10 - 09:25
I Have Feelings Too: The Forces Behind the Decision we Don't Talk About
A look behind the corporate curtain at the hidden psychological forces shaping the workplace and influencing KPIs, technology choices and purchase-to-pay processes. The session explores why even data-driven organizations can fall into predictable behavioral traps, and how a fresh operational framework can help address friction where it actually begins.
- 09:25 - 09:40
The Next Chapter of Value Creation
How AI, Talent and Transformation Are Reshaping the Business Services Sector
Leveraging insights from the 2026 ABSL Business Services Sector Report, this session will explore how Business Services organizations are evolving from service delivery engines into strategic drivers of growth, innovation, and enterprise value.
- 09:40 - 10:25
PLENARY SESSION 1 - TALENT
As technology reshapes the business services industry, the skills and capabilities needed to create value are evolving just as fast. This session will explore how organizations can prepare their workforce for what comes next, from new skills and roles to leadership, adaptability and human-AI collaboration.
- 10:25 - 10:40
COFFEE BREAK
- 10:40 - 11:00
KEY-NOTE SPEAKER
Europe's AI Advantage: Building Resilient AI by Design
Europe's opportunity in AI is not to out-spend others, but to build AI that organisations can trust, adapt and scale with confidence. This session looks at what it takes to build resilient AI, from avoiding over-dependence on single vendors to embedding governance and security from day one, rather than adding them later. For Romania and the wider region, it makes the case that this is where engineering talent and European strengths can turn into a lasting competitive advantage.
- 11:00 - 11:45
PLENARY SESSION 2 - TRANSFORMATION
How is transformation redefining the role of business services?
This session will explore how organizations are evolving their operating models, capabilities and ways of working to drive greater value, agility and business impact.
- 11:45 - 12:30
LUNCH
- 12:30 - 12:45
Romania 2030: Built to Last or Under Threat?
As the global GBS landscape evolves, can Romania maintain its competitive edge? This session explores how companies evaluate GBS locations, benchmarks Romania against competing destinations, and examines the emerging trends and disruptions shaping the industry through 2030. Drawing on our Business Services Comparative Analysis Report for 2026, we will explore Romania's competitive strengths, potential threats and strategic priorities to secure its position in the years ahead.
- 12:45 - 13:05
KEY-NOTE SPEAKER
The Role of GBS in the era of Artificial Intelligence
GBS as builder, manager and governor: why GBS centres are the natural place to build, onboard and govern AI agents, and why that makes them more critical than ever in the medium term.
- 13:05 - 13:50
PLENARY SESSION 3 - TECH & AI
How are technology and AI redefining what business services can deliver?
This session will explore how AI, automation and emerging technologies are creating new capabilities, accelerating innovation and reshaping how value is created.
AI led Digital Transformation
Drawing on YASH's delivery experience, this session explores the practical business value of AI, highlighting how it accelerates digital transformation, improves enterprise performance, and enables scalable, sustainable, and measurable business outcomes.
- 13:50 - 14:20
BUSINESS CASES
Three real-world business cases showcasing practical solutions, transformation journeys and measurable impact from across the ABSL community.
- 14:20 - 14:25
CLOSING REMARKS
- 14:25 - 15:30
NETWORKING & DRINKS
Wrap up the day over drinks and informal networking with fellow industry leaders and the ABSL community.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN
- 600+ participants
- 100+ Companies
- 3 Panels on Hot Topics
- 3 Industry Studies
- Partners‘ Exhibition Area
- 2 Keynote Speaker
- 20+ Speakers
- 1 Business Cases Session
-
Networking & Business
Connections opportunities
Keynote Speakers
Ivana Bartoletti
Ivana Bartoletti is VP and Global Chief Privacy and AI Governance Officer at Wipro, where she leads the company’s approach to responsible AI and data governance across its technology and AI stack and global client base. She is the founder of Women Leading in AI, a member of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on AI Equality and Non-Discrimination, and a former policy fellow at the University of Oxford.
Click for bio
Derek Smith
Derek Smith is a senior leader with 30 years of financial services experience through roles such as Head Third Party Risk Management, CEO of a Poland shared service centre and CFO of the Private Equity division of UBS, overseeing a CHF 5 billion global portfolio spanning 250 companies and funds.
He has set up and run large multi-location teams, managing operations, acquisitions, wind-downs, across India, Poland and Switzerland. Experienced in change management, technology, process implementation and improvement via outsourcing, automation and innovation. Strong corporate governance experience, including entity formation and liquidation, and numerous board and risk committee leadership roles.
Most recently Derek led the negotiation and sale of an SAP technology company in Poland via a competitive M&A process. Directed due diligence, transaction structuring, and full post-acquisition integration and served as Head of Sales & Service Delivery for CEE, scaling global SAP delivery.
Derek currently is an investor and board member of 4th-IR, with a major delivery centre Ghana creating AI Virtual Personas, and a board member of Helprise AG providing advisory and delivery services to companies.
He is a co-founder and long-term board member ABSL in Poland, ABSL DACH, and ABSL in Brussels, a Global Business Services networking organisation across 19 countries, and is chair of the ABSL Global Council.
He has a strong focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and was the founder of the Women’s Business Network in Krakow. Derek has British and Swiss nationalities and has lived / worked in South Africa, Switzerland, Poland, India and the UK.
Derek Smith
Derek Smith is a senior leader with 30 years of financial services experience through roles such as Head Third Party Risk Management, CEO of a Poland shared service centre and CFO of the Private Equity division of UBS, overseeing a CHF 5 billion global portfolio spanning 250 companies and funds. He has set up and run large multi-location teams, managing operations, acquisitions, wind-downs, across India, Poland and Switzerland.
Click for bio
Ivana Bartoletti
Ivana Bartoletti is VP and Global Chief Privacy and AI Governance Officer at Wipro, where she leads the company’s approach to responsible AI and data governance across its technology and AI stack and global client base. She is the founder of Women Leading in AI, a member of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on AI Equality and Non-Discrimination, and a former policy fellow at the University of Oxford.
Her career spans two decades at the intersection of privacy and AI governance, across consulting, financial services, entertainment, counter-fraud, energy, and the public sector. She was recently named to The AI Policy 100 (2026) by Knowledge Networks and Regulating AI, recognizing 100 leaders driving meaningful progress in AI policy, governance, and regulation globally.
Ivana is a widely published author and commentator on AI governance, data ethics, and technology regulation.
Speakers
Adrian Baron
President of ABSL
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Adrian Baron
President of ABSL
Adrian Baron leads the Service Management Platforms division at Stefanini Group, overseeing global transformation initiatives that connect people, processes, and technology. Under his leadership, the division provides consultancy, implementation, and managed services to organizations worldwide, spanning multiple industries and service management platforms. With more than a decade of experience in IT Service Management and an ITIL® Master certification, Adrian is passionate about driving operational excellence and continuously seeks innovative ways to enhance service quality and business performance.
Cristian Cortez
Senior Manager Finance Transformation, PwC
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Cristian Cortez
Senior Manager Finance Transformation, PwC
With 10+ years’ experience in Finance Global Transformation Projects, Cristi is leading and driving the Finance Transformation Team, Agenda & Strategy from multiple tactical levers point of view such as Process Optimization, Technology and Digital Finance Assets and various Delivery and Managed Services models. Cristi has significant experience in the areas of business strategy, working capital enhancement, solution design and implementation, analytics and business excellence across operations and finance end to end processes and across multiple industries such as supply chain, logistics, automotive, retails, telecommunications, finance and payment services at a global project scale.
Tomas Husner
Director, GBS Advisory Leader Romania, Deloitte
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Tomas Husner
GBS Advisory Leader Romania, Deloitte
Tomas is a Director in the Consulting practice at Deloitte Central Europe with 14+ years of experience in the SSC industry. He has built and led Deloitte’s largest SSC advisory practice based in Deloitte Czech Republic and is leading the SSC Advisory practice at Deloitte Romania. Over the course of his career, he has worked with many local and international clients managing global cross-functional transformation programs, incl. SSC vision and strategy, SSC build, target operating model design, transitions, and many more. Having worked across multiple industries, his main specialization is on life sciences & healthcare, retail & consumer and banking & insurance. Apart from project work Tomas is focusing heavily on technology led process optimization utilizing AI and enterprise-wide technology solutions in the GBS landscape, such as ServiceNow, HighRadius, Celonis and others.
WHY BECOME
A CONFERENCE PARTNER
Event Partners come to ABSL 14th Annual Conference to meet the leaders of the business services industry, to challenge ideas, share perspectives and collectively shape the future of the sector.
- Develop and strengthen your brand
- Generate lucrative, highly targeted business leads
- Build long lasting relationships
- Get in touch with potential business partners
- Position the company as a leader in the domain
- Network
- Obtain Customer Feedback
If your company is part of ABSL, you can benefit of discounted partnership packages.
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
ECOSYSTEM PARTNERS
E-commerce Partner
Universities
EVENT PARTNERS
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Visibility Partners
Exhibitor Partners
REGISTRATION & TICKETS*
Single ticket
Group pass 4
Group pass 5
Group pass 7
FREE FOR ABSL MEMBERS & PARTNERS (according to the membership type).
Check here the membership type of your company: https://www.absl.ro/members/
Discuss with your company representative about participation and register afterwards.
ABSL CONFERENCES AT A GLANCE
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PROJECTS & EVENTS
PRESS ROOM
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