The AGN 2025 Excellent+NextGen event brought together emerging professionals and firm leaders from across the EMEA region for an energising two-day programme on 22–23 May. Marking a first in Excellent+NextGen history, both NextGen and NowGen professionals gathered in joint and parallel sessions, exploring the challenges and opportunities of leading in a multi-generational, digitally driven profession.
Bridging Generations, Building Unity
The 2025 Excellent+NextGen event launched with a standout intergenerational session, “Bridging the Generational Gap: How Can We Better Co-Exist?” This engaging workshop invited participants to examine—and laugh about—their generational quirks, from Gen Z’s digital-native instincts to Gen X’s just-get-on-with-it mindset. Through collaborative exercises, attendees uncovered ways to bridge generational divides and harness diverse perspectives for better team cohesion and stronger client service.
A lively evening activity and informal dinner provided time for deeper conversations among peers of all experience levels.
NextGen Track: Equipping Emerging Leaders
Friday’s NextGen Track began with a focused ESG Update, providing insights on the latest developments in sustainability reporting and regulation. Participants then dove into Advisory Development, analysing a strategic case study from the perspective of younger professionals and applying the Kotter change management framework to envision a future-ready firm.
In the afternoon, Elevating Digital Maturity encouraged NextGenners to assess their firm’s current digital standing and explore practical tools and strategies for technology adoption and innovation. The day concluded with a look at IT Audit and Financial Integrity, reinforcing the importance of strong digital governance across all service lines.
“The NextGen Track was really interactive—it gave us not just updates on ESG and tech trends, but a chance to apply real-world frameworks like Kotter’s to imagine how we can shape more agile and innovative firms. The sessions on digital maturity and IT governance were especially valuable in connecting strategy with practical action. The real discovery was learning the differences between what was important to our generation in comparison to our firm partners generation.”
Jasmin Weckerle, Tax Advisor, Wirtschaftstreuhand, Germany
Firm Leader Track: Strategic Vision for NowGen
Firm Partners followed a parallel Firm Leader Track, beginning with an AGN Update before delving into their own version of Elevating Digital Maturity. The session provided high-level strategic insight into how firms can strengthen their digital capabilities and remain competitive in an evolving market.
Later, during Advisory Development 2, Firm Leaders were briefed on the strategic decisions made by their NextGen counterparts earlier in the day. Using the same case study, NowGen teams tackled practical implementation challenges—finance, delivery, and change management—highlighting the value of intergenerational dialogue in shaping advisory success.
The track concluded with an ESG Update for NowGen, where leaders explored how emerging regulations will affect firm operations and client advisory.
“Focused topics, some considered to be the ‘elephant in the room’, such as generational issues addressed and navigated in practical rather than conceptual means to equip us delegates to navigate these issues .”
Steve Johnson, Head of Audit – Partner, RPGCC, UK
Andy Bewick, Partner at Ballards LLP commented, “I’ve really benefitted from relevant content, digital maturity, ESG and the interaction with NextGen from other EMEA firms has been a refreshing addition to the conference.”
