Bangkok, July 11, 2025 – AGN International, a global association of independent accounting and advisory firms, recently held its 2025 Asia Pacific Regional Meeting in vibrant Bangkok, Thailand, running in parallel with the Nexia APAC Regional Conference.
The two events brought together over 120 participants from both AGN and Nexia, offering a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and further strengthen the collaborative relationship between the two associations in the region.
The meeting kicked off on the evening of 9 July with a traditional Thai welcome dinner, offering a relaxed atmosphere for attendees to get to know one another while experiencing the city’s culture.
Learning and Growing Together
Thursday’s programme began with an AGN-only session, featuring a thought-provoking panel discussion on sustainability management, moderated by Kevin Bae and Tim Suryanata of Calibre Business Advisory (Australia and Singapore). Panellists from China, India, Indonesia, and New Zealand shared insights on in-demand services and key aspects of capability management across various jurisdictions.
Andrew White from Ashfords, Australia, shared inspiring insights from the AGN Talent Secondment Programme, highlighting the benefits of cross-border collaboration through staff exchanges with Ballards LLP in the UK.
Malcolm Ward, AGN Global CEO, and Mireia Rovira, AGN Director of Brand and Member Value, then led an engaging session on “Calibrating Your International Business Strategy.” They introduced key concepts to build international business strategy, highlighting some of the tools and resources available to members. This was followed by a workshop to discuss practical strategies and challenges in smaller groups.
Later in the day, delegates experienced some of Bangkok’s iconic culture, visiting Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), followed by a memorable dinner aboard the Horizon Cruise on the Chao Phraya River—enjoying five-star cuisine with stunning views of the city at night.
Sharing Experiences and Building Value
Friday morning began with a breakfast discussion for women from AGN Asia Pacific firms, creating a supportive space to exchange stories, challenges, and successes. The session also aimed to guide firm leaders on how to attract, retain, and promote talent by understanding and embracing the unique challenges women face in the profession.
The half-day conference began with opening remarks delivered by Nexia’s APAC Chair, Krupal Kanakia, and AGN’s APAC Chair, Greg Cusack, then continued with updates on our collaborative alliance presented by Nexia’s CEO Matthew Howell, and AGN’s Global CEO Malcolm Ward. Delegates then dived into two key sessions: Nexia presented about Talent Management, focusing on career development frameworks, and AGN team focused on Building Value to Firms, showcasing the approach on member value with focus on the Technology space, in context with the transformation of the competitive space. A quick assessment showed how firms rated priorities on this area.
After lunch, some AGN delegates joined an optional tour to explore Ayutthaya—Thailand’s former capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour included a visit to the Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal to learn about the cultural importance of elephants, a guided walk, through Ayutthaya Historical Park, and concluded with a scenic dinner at Grand Chaopraya Riverside Dining.
“I’ve been a member of AGN for almost ten years. One of the key takeaways from this year’s conference was the importance of focusing more on international business — something that really stood out to me during Malcolm and Mireia’s session. This is also my second conference attended alongside Nexia members. It was great to reconnect with some I met last year and meet new ones. I really enjoyed connecting with them.”
Manoj Chawla – KNM, India
“It’s been a great experience to be part of the 2025 Asia Pacific Regional Meeting in Bangkok. I really enjoyed the sustainability management panel discussion on Thursday morning. I learned a lot, especially about regional collaborations and the challenges in the region. I’m going home with great memories.”
Yun Shan (Sandy) Lin, CPA at EnWise CPAs & Co, Taiwan
A Meaningful Gathering for the Region
The AGN Asia Pacific Regional Meeting 2025 blended insightful professional discussions with rich cultural experiences, helping members strengthen their connections and discover new ideas to support growth and collaboration across borders.
