The Asset Finance Connect Leaders’ Summit Europe 2025

Welcome to the AFC Leaders’ Summit Europe 2025

The AFC Leaders’ Summit Europe 2025 is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of Europe’s most senior auto and equipment finance leaders, offering an unparalleled platform for networking and strategic insight.

This prestigious summit provides attendees the unique opportunity to engage directly with peers and thought leaders shaping the industry.

Participants will benefit from horizon-scanning briefings delivered by experts in policy, technology, and market trends, designed to illuminate the key forces transforming the sector.

With an agenda tailored to foster meaningful discussions, the summit also explores the direct implications of these insights on business strategies, empowering leaders to stay ahead in an evolving marketplace.

Among the speakers will be Richard Knubben, director general of Leaseurope, and Peter-Jan Bentein, secretary general of Leasing Nederland who will set the scene with an assessment of the political climate as the implication of Trump tariffs, increased spending on defence rather than sustainability and a greater focus on economic growth drives simplification in regulation.

Stijn Blanckaert, General Manager, Renta will be examining the opportunities and challenges around the transition to BEVs in Belgium.

In the equipment finance sessions Richard O’Donohue, former head of partnerships at Dell and AFC’s captives leader will lead a discussion focusing on changing dynamics in the IT vendor finance arena, with Mat Llewellyn, Director – EMEA & LATAM Deal Desk, Palo Alto Networks; Jon Souch, General Manager – EMEA, Lenovo Global Financial Services; Chantal Voncken, Manager – Europe North, Cisco Systems Capital. Carmen Ene, CEO, BNP Paribas 3 Step IT will be leading a discussion on whether pay per use models really do drive sustainability.

Invigors will be running the IT AI sessions in the afternoon with Christoph Auerbach, senior consultant, Invigors working with Emily Hammond, product director (fintech) at Alfa to consider AFC research which suggests that while many lending firms in Europe are considering AI use cases not many of these are progressing through to successful proofs of concept.

The afternoon will complete with roundtable discussions on all of the issues of the day, which are led by the Asset Finance Connect team David Betteley, former global head of financial services at Jaguar Land Rover and head of content at AFC; John Rees, former chief commercial officer at Societe Generale Equipment Finance and head of equipment finance at AFC; Richard O’Donohue, former head of partnerships at Dell and head of captive finance at AFC; and Invigors team including Ian Robertson, executive director; Nick Feasy, executive director; and Christoph Auerbach, senior consultant.

Following the drinks reception at the end of the day, sponsored by Alfa, all guests will move through to the ballroom for the event finale, the AFC Leaders Summit Europe Dinner. The dinner, sponsored by Alfa and Shoosmiths, will provide the ideal environment for guests to continue the conversations of the day and make new connections.

Exclusive Pre-Summit Gathering

Join us for an exclusive Pre-Summit Gathering, sponsored by Alfa.

In celebration of Alfa’s 35-year anniversary and AFC’s 15-year anniversary, we invite you to a special evening at LuminAir, Amsterdam’s premier elevated skybar. Enjoy great conversations, light bites, and drinks while taking in stunning city views.

This exclusive gathering is the perfect chance to connect with fellow delegates, meet speakers, and set the stage for another influential Leaders Summit – all in a relaxed and stylish setting.

We look forward to welcoming you there.

Date: Wednesday 14 May
Venue: LuminAir, Oosterdoksstraat 4, Level 11, 1011 DK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Time: 8.00pm

Headline Sponsor:

Alfa has been delivering leading-edge technology to the global asset finance and leasing industry since 1990. Our specialised expertise enables us to deliver the most challenging systems transformation projects successfully. 

Alfa Systems, our class-leading SaaS platform, is at the heart of the world’s largest and most progressive asset finance operations. Supporting all types of automotive, equipment and wholesale finance, Alfa Systems is proven at volume and across borders, and trusted by leading brands to manage complex portfolios, drive efficiency and sustainability, and enhance the customer experience. 

With full functionality for originations, servicing and collections, Alfa Systems is live in 37 countries, representing an integrated point solution, a rapid off-the-shelf implementation, or an end-to-end platform for the complex global enterprise. Alfa Systems 6, a breakthrough iteration of our software platform, launched in 2024. 

Alfa maintains exceptional customer satisfaction through an impeccable track record, with our experience and performance unrivalled in the industry. Our customers stick with us for the long term, because we deliver value that lasts for decades. 

Alfa has offices all over Europe, Australasia and the Americas. For more information, visit us at alfasystems.com or on LinkedIn.