AGA Marks 100-Country Milestone and Unveils Strategy 2030 to Navigate a Changing Professional Landscape

The annual event brought together 155 delegates from leading mid-size law and accounting firms in 39 countries for four days of keynote presentations, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking, all designed to explore the professional, technological, and strategic trends shaping the future of the industry. Attendees also had the chance to enjoy the city of Toronto and its vibrant culture and hospitality.

The Toronto conference also marked a major milestone for AGA - reaching 100 countries, a remarkable achievement, nearly five decades in the making and a testament to the Alliance’s shared values, resilience, professional excellence, and enduring spirit of cross-border collaboration. 

Following a welcome from Worldwide Chair Giorgio Marcolongo, AGA’s CEO, Giles Brake, opened the business sessions by presenting Strategy 2030, a five-year framework to increase excellence and client trust, accelerate cross border business growth, and ensure member firms’ future readiness and the Alliance’s overall resilience.  

Breakouts and Best Practice

Breakout sessions gave members insights into practice innovations, technology and cross border collaboration. Lawyer attendees explored new legal tech that is powering greater efficiency and reshaping corporate transactions. The opportunities offered by the global private credit market were also brought into the spotlight by UK lawyer Phil Slater. 

This year’s accounting breakouts featured Jeremy Hyman of JHA sharing insights into where independent accounting firms can invest in AI and transformative technology to play to their strengths as independent firms. Additional sessions focused on unlocking further cross border collaboration in the key service lines of tax, private wealth and corporate mobility. 

Conference Highlights

One of the main highlights was Billy Anderson, leadership coach and author, who entertained and inspired attendees to embrace courage and step outside their comfort zones. 

Sue Warman of AICPA & CIMA brought focus to AI and the future of work, explaining AI is a ‘leveller’ for mid-size firms, but firms must stay human-centric. In attendance also was Tom Clark, Canada’s Consul General in New York, who facilitated a fireside chat on navigating North American business in the new U.S. political landscape. Also returning to an AGA conference was Bruno Strunz who gave a memorable and very powerful presentation on buyer behaviour and practical approaches to cross-selling and revenue growth.

One of the most well-received panel sessions focused on the established trend of outside investors taking a stake in professional services firms. Led by Guy Longhurst and Paul Forsyth of law firm Ellisons, panelists from different countries compared developments across the accounting and legal sectors and discussed the pros and cons of accepting outside investment, as well as the importance of choosing the right platform, if this route is taken. 

Reflecting on the event, Giles Brake commented:

"As one of the world’s most ethnically diverse cities, Toronto provided the perfect backdrop against which to celebrate our 100 country milestone. However, with significant volatility in the business and professional services markets, now is certainly not the time for us to sit back and admire the view. This year’s Worldwide Conference set out the vision for where AGA plans to be by 2030 and the must-win battles that lie ahead.

"We believe the future remains extremely bright for strong mid-size firms that know what they need do to remain relevant to clients, maximize their resilience, and just as importantly, retain their independence. We firmly believe that AGA provides the optimum framework for such firms to thrive in the years ahead.

"Finally, a big thank you to local member firms Prasad & Company and Wildeboer Dellelce for their outstanding hospitality. We now look forward to the next Worldwide Conference in Istanbul in October 2026.”

Excellence Awards

This year’s Excellence Awards also recognised member firm best practice in categories such as international business development, brand ambassadorship, best referral, innovation and social responsibility – click here to read about this year’s winners.

Further reading:

100 Countries. One Alliance. Endless Possibilities

About Alliott Global Alliance:

Founded in 1979, and with 240 member firms operating out of 340 offices in over 100 countries Alliott Global Alliance is an international alliance of independent, law, accounting, and advisory firms, working across the world Together as One.

Each of our members share a common goal: to learn and share knowledge, resources, and opportunities to make the world smaller and their businesses stronger. We work with a spirit of generosity and openness — so that together, we can continue to fulfil our ambitions, gain greater experience, and drive mutual success.

Alliott Global Alliance is expanding fast, and the alliance has its sights set firmly on growing its legal and accounting membership to over 110 countries. Opportunities are available to independent professional firms in specific countries in Africa, Europe, China, the ASEAN region, Australasia, the Gulf Cooperation Council region, Central and South America and in North America. For information about membership, email membership@alliottglobal.com.