IRIS Software Group

Reflections from Accountex Two days. A lot of conversations. Even more familiar faces. It was genuinely great to be back at Accountex as part of the Sage team. Walking the floor, reconnecting with people I've crossed paths with across the years, seeing how practices and careers have moved on since we last spoke. That kind of thing doesn't get old. From a work perspective, what struck me most was the sheer level of interest in the mid-market. Not just from a direct sales angle but from the accountancy community itself. Practices are actively asking how they enter that space, what the right software infrastructure looks like, how AI fits in, and what they actually need to take their firms forward. Those are the conversations that matter, and there were a lot of them. But the moment that'll stick with me longest from the two days had nothing to do with any of that. Ben Foster joined us at the stand and took time out to record a personalised video for my son Jake, a goalkeeper himself. It was a small thing to him, probably. It meant everything to Jake. Genuinely class act. Thanks to everyone who stopped for a chat. See you next year.

Looking forward to the AISWA Leaders Conference 2026! I’ll be at Optus Stadium on Monday, the 18th May, for this year’s AISWA - Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia Leaders Conference, an exciting day bringing together school leaders, principals, and boards to explore Educational Leadership Beyond the Horizon. It’s also a proud moment for us at iSAMS as we sponsor the event for the first time. I’m really looking forward to the conversations, insights from the keynote speakers, and connecting with so many inspiring leaders across WA. If you’re attending, come and say hello. I’ll be on the iSAMS stand and would love to catch up. https://lnkd.in/gacqMuig

Excited to be attending engagED – Where Innovation Meets Education 🎉 The ISNSW ICT Management & Leadership Conference is always a highlight, and this year's theme couldn't be more fitting for what we do at iSAMS. We'll be showcasing how our cloud-based school management platform helps independent schools consolidate data, streamline operations, and put student outcomes front and centre - all in one place. If you're attending, find us and see the system in action. Let's talk about how we can support your school's digital future. 👋 Our team on the stand will be Alex Squire , Callum Moore , Carey Dodd, Darren Donohoe , Jaunita Flessas, Esq., CPWA, ADS, APX , and this year, our MD Simon Freeman will be joining us #engagED #ISNSW #EdTech #ICTLeadership #iSAMS #IndependentSchools

Some events fill a room. Some events create real momentum. Capital Wealth Summit Dubai 2026 did both. At a time when much of the event landscape feels slower and more cautious, this summit proved that strong curation, sharp positioning, and genuine value still bring the right people together. With around 300 carefully selected attendees from finance, investment, private capital, fintech, AI, entrepreneurship, and business leadership, this was far more than another networking event. It was a high-level gathering built with intention, quality, and real substance. A special thank you to Mahmood Yaqub , for the opportunity to attend this flagship event, and to Consult Group Worldwide for delivering such a polished experience from start to finish. The organisation,l, flow, venue, speaker management, and overall attention to detail were truly top tier. A strong note of appreciation as well to Peter Doyle for shaping such speaker line-up that brought real depth to the day. What made this summit stand out was not only the calibre of the audience, but also the quality of the conversations on stage. John Lee brought a compelling perspective on AI and decision-making, showing how the right use of AI can multiply business effectiveness and executive productivity, while also stressing the importance of secure, closed AI environments. Abdurahman Afia, MBA reminded us that leadership mindset is contagious, and that the way a leader shows up in uncertainty can shape culture, confidence, and the ability to turn pressure into possibility. Ahmed Khaled shared a highly relevant perspective on visibility, personal branding, and LinkedIn as a real funnel for business opportunities, credibility, and growth. Nicholas Santonastasso delivered one of the most powerful moments of the summit with a message of self love, gratitude, resilience, personal responsibility, and not missing the value of today while chasing tomorrow. Last but not least, s special mention as well to Dizzy Tailor for showing how vulnerable situations can be turned into opportunities for open dialogue, storytelling, and deeper human connection. Beyond the stage, this summit was also the right platform for strategic networking and new business conversations. For me personally, it created the right environment to open discussions around our sports venture with potential investors and partners, in a room where capital, innovation, and future-facing business models were already part of the mindset. It was also a pleasure to see OOM UAE , the mobile premium luxury spa concept, activated so successfully during the event. The experience was extremely well received by VIP guests, speakers, and attendees, showing once again how thoughtful brand activation can elevate the event journey while opening real commercial opportunities. #CapitalWealthSummit #CWSDubai #ConsultGroupWorldwide #Leadership #PrivateCapital #WealthManagement #Entrepreneurship #AI #Fintech #SportsInvestment #DubaiEvents #Networking

Yesterday’s The Next Move Forum, organised by BEVIP Arena , was a strong reminder that in uncertain times, leadership is not about reacting fast for the sake of it, but about thinking clearly, acting wisely, and staying grounded. It was a genuinely valuable afternoon of conversations and perspectives around leadership, resilience, and decision making in challenging times. A special mention to Shahid N. Khan , CEO of Milele , whose session was insightful, practical, and highly relevant. I particularly appreciated his honest perspective on quick-win initiatives and the importance of looking first at operational efficiencies and smarter cost discipline, rather than defaulting immediately to workforce cost cuts. That is a leadership approach that feels both strategic and responsible. It was also a real pleasure to listen to Marina Davies , whose intervention was outstanding. She brought the weight of many years of experience across finance and banking, combined with a very important perspective on wellbeing at leadership level. In times like these, that balance matters. Performance, resilience, and clear decision making cannot be disconnected from the human side of leadership. On a personal note, it was great reconnecting with a fellow Unileverian through Shahid N. Khan . Some professional roots always create a special connection. I was also glad to meet Khadija Kalifa, a real energy powerhouse, mother, and entrepreneur whose presence and drive were truly inspiring. Special thanks to Dr Mohamed Kamali for creating a platform for meaningful exchanges, and to all speakers who reminded us that in periods of pressure, the real differentiator is not panic, but clarity, resilience, and thoughtful leadership. Without forgetting the event maestro Marwan Hassan #TheNextMoveForum #BeVIPArena #Leadership #BusinessResilience #LeadershipInUncertainTimes #DecisionMaking #Wellbeing #Entrepreneurship #DubaiEvents