Cross-border conversations: insights from Kreston Global Conference 2025

Recent figures from the UK’s Office for National Statistics show business investment rose by 5.9% in Q1 2025, with GDP  growth reaching 0.7% – the fastest pace in two years.

As highlighted by AP News, this positioned the UK as the fastest-growing G7 economy for the quarter. These developments echoed many of the themes explored at the Kreston Global Europe Conference, where firms from across the network gathered to discuss cross-border trends, strategic transformation, and client priorities in a shifting global landscape. 

Held in Athens from 13-16 May 2025, the Kreston Global conference brought together 65 member firms and over 160 delegates, including representatives from Europe, alongside representatives from Australia, Canada, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Uganda, the UAE, and the US. The agenda featured leadership meetings, service line collaboration across audit, tax, and advisory. Delegates also took part in focused discussions on regulatory developments, digital transformation, and cross-border client needs.

Kreston Global is an international network of independent accounting and advisory firms, with a presence in over 115 countries. The organisation connects more than 25,000 professionals around the world, offering expertise across audit, tax, and consulting services. The conference highlighted the role of the network in helping firms navigate the increasingly complex landscape of cross-border trade and how to support clients with their international operations.

Our team participated and chaired leadership sessions, technical panels, and specialist interest groups focused on the future of audit, tax and advisory services. We were represented by:

• Andrew Griggs, Senior Partner, Head of International and Chairman Elect of the Kreston Global Board. 
• Anne Dwyer, Partner and member of the Global Audit group and European Committee. 
• Rupert Moyle, Partner and Chair of the Global Indirect Tax Services group, and UK VAT working group. 
• Craig Dallender, Director and member of the Global Corporate Finance group. 
• Tom Boniface, Partner, and member of the Global Mobility team.  
• Andrew Tate, Partner, and member of the Global Advisory team.  
• Richard Spofforth, Partner, and member of the Global Digitisation Task Force. 

Key themes discussed at the conference included:  

• Cross-border VAT and indirect tax: Digital compliance and real-time reporting requirements were a major focus, with firms sharing experiences of how tax regimes are evolving across different jurisdictions. 
• Regulatory and audit developments: Updates on ISA 600, audit technology tools and audit quality expectations were key agenda items, along with discussions on staff retention and consistency across borders. 
• Advisory transformation: A growing emphasis on ESG, risk, restructuring and fraud was explored, along with the evolving expectations of clients seeking more proactive and strategic advisory support. 
• Corporate finance and investment trends: Regional market updates, international structuring, and ESG due diligence featured heavily in the corporate finance discussions. 
• Technology and service delivery: Firms shared how digital tools and systems are supporting collaboration and improving client outcomes across the network. 

 “What came through clearly was the appetite to share insight and challenge how we work,” says Andrew Griggs. “Bringing a UK view into those conversations — and listening to others — strengthens how we support clients in multiple jurisdictions. With UK business investment up 5.9% and GDP growing 0.7% in Q1, there’s renewed momentum. Our role is to help clients make the most of that — connecting local insight with international reach to move confidently from resilience to growth.” 

We support many clients who are looking to expand overseas or set up in the UK. As a member firm of Kreston Global, our access to local insight and global expertise ensures we deliver advice that is both commercially grounded and internationally informed. 

If you are managing operations across borders or planning international investment, visit our global page to explore how we can help, or get in touch with a member of our team.