SBC World Conference 2026: Building Relationships and International Collaboration in El Gouna

The conference provided an opportunity to renew friendships, establish new connections and exchange ideas on supporting clients trading, investing and operating internationally.

Hosted by SBC member firm Kozman & Co., the programme combined professional insight with conversations about the opportunities and challenges facing independent accounting, tax and advisory firms around the world.

Understanding international markets

Our conferences offer an opportunity to learn more about the host country, its business culture and the considerations for clients looking to enter or invest in the market.

Sherif Hanna of Benchmark Consultancy shared insights into doing business in Egypt. A panel hosted by Hani Kozman, with contributions from Eva Sampani of Economic Value Added in Greece and Sunil Thomas of VASS International in the UAE, explored practical considerations when supporting clients with interests in Egypt and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.

Looking further afield, Fábio Serrão of EXGroup Partners considered developments in Brazil and Latin America, including how geopolitical change is reshaping international business opportunities.

These discussions reinforced the value of combining local market knowledge with an understanding of clients’ wider international ambitions.

AI, advisory and the future of professional firms

Artificial intelligence and its implications for the profession featured strongly throughout the conference.

Lan Wang of Berdugo Metoudi Partenaires explored AI, automation and the future of professional practice. Natalia Costanzo and Alberto Canclini introduced Hexavalue and considered how technology can help firms turn data into higher-value advisory services.

Alongside the opportunities offered by technology, delegates considered how independent firms can develop their businesses in a changing market. Paul Tutin of Streets, one of SBC’s founding firms, shared perspectives on growing a professional firm amid consolidation and private equity investment.

Together, these sessions prompted discussion about how firms can adapt, strengthen their capabilities and continue to deliver relevant, commercially focused advice.

Relationships that support collaboration

International collaboration depends on knowing the people behind the firms: their expertise, experience and approach to looking after clients.

Our “Around the Alliance: Meet the Members” session brought colleagues together in person and online to learn more about one another’s practices. Thank you to those who joined remotely, including Alan Sasserath of Sasserath & Co. in New York, whose participation involved a particularly early start.

The conference also marked a further step in strengthening cooperation between SBC Global Alliance and ASNAF International.

Joining virtually from Malaysia, ASNAF Chair Atarek Kamil shared a message centred on muhibbah: goodwill, friendship and harmony. Contributions from Atarek and Board member Rohan Kamis highlighted the importance of building trust, sharing opportunities and involving the next generation of professionals.

These relationships help members identify the right colleagues to approach when a client needs advice in another country.

Turning conversations into action

Delegates also explored priorities for the Alliance’s continued development, including extending country representation, strengthening cross-border collaboration and creating more opportunities to share expertise.

Agreed next steps included developing working groups focused on AI adoption and cross-border opportunities, alongside plans for country guides drawing on members’ local knowledge.

The aim is to carry the energy and ideas from the conference into ongoing collaboration, helping members develop their firms and support their clients internationally.

Thank you to our hosts

There was also time to enjoy Egyptian hospitality, traditional cuisine and a lagoon tour of El Gouna. These shared experiences are an important part of building the friendships that sustain our international community.

Our sincere thanks go to Hani Kozman and the team at Kozman & Co., particularly Dina Kozman, Dalia Kozman, Ohoud Ali and Nehal Abu-Emira, for their organisation, warm welcome and generous hospitality.

We left El Gouna with renewed friendships, fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to developing an international association where members feel connected, supported and actively involved.

Looking for professional advice overseas? Explore our Members Directory to connect with independent firms around the world.

Interested in becoming part of our international community? Find out more about membership of SBC Global Alliance.