AI-Powered Financial Intelligence & Analytics Masterclass and Awards 2026
Where Strategy Meets Simulation: Unleashing AI for Financial Excellence
9th - 11th February 2026 | 9am-5pm (GMT+4)
Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
Master Trainer
Dimitris N. Leimonis
Founder and Managing Director - Financial Arena - United Kingdom
Dimitris N. Leimonis is a distinguished finance professional with over 25 years of expertise in financial modeling, cost modeling, data analytics, business intelligence, and strategic investment management. As the Founder and Managing Director of Financial Arena, Dimitris has trained more than 5,500 executives from global institutions across 15 countries. Certified by the Financial Modeling Institute and FAST Standard Organization, Dimitris is known for integrating cutting-edge AI tools into traditional financial frameworks to drive innovation.
Key Achievements:
- Designed cost models and BI reporting frameworks that streamlined HR budgeting for IKEA and optimized operational efficiency for Babcock International.
- Provided financial modeling expertise that secured over $1 billion in financing for a South American oil and gas firm.
- Designed and delivered a REIT financial forecast model for a Saudi investment bank, optimizing its real estate portfolio tracking and reporting.
- Managed investment due diligence and wealth strategy for a Monaco-based family office, successfully diversifying a multi-million-euro portfolio.
- Automated reporting and cost analysis for multi-billion defense programs, reducing turnaround time for a high-profile UK Government’s Defense Project.
Awards and Recognition:
- FAST Financial Modeling Certification, recognizing excellence in creating scalable and transparent financial models.
- Renowned for pioneering advanced financial modeling and portfolio management training in Europe and Americas.
Notable Clients:
Dimitris has worked with an impressive roster of clients, including:
- Trained over 600 analysts from top-tier US investment banks, equipping them with advanced financial modeling and valuation techniques.
- European Court of Auditors
- IKEA
- Babcock International
- UK Ministry of Defense (via Jacobs and Mott MacDonald)
- Ecobank
- Grant Thornton
Digital Finance Excellence Awards 2026
Team Categories
- Outstanding Finance Team Award: Celebrating a finance team in GCC that has demonstrated exceptional collaboration, innovation, and excellence in driving success.
- Leading Financial Technology Innovator Award: Recognizing remarkable contributions by GCC professionals or organizations in transforming financial services through innovative technology.
- Smart Finance Trailblazers Team Award: Recognizing collaborative brilliance in using artificial intelligence to modernize finance and set new industry benchmarks.
- Best Finance Transformation Project Award: Acknowledging a groundbreaking project in GCC that has significantly advanced financial processes and outcomes.
Individual Categories
- CFO of the Year Award: Honoring an exceptional Chief Financial Officer in GCC who has demonstrated visionary leadership and excellence in financial management.
- Finance Tech Leader of the Year Award: Honoring a trailblazing executive who has revolutionized financial operations through technology. Celebrating innovation, impact, and forward-thinking leadership in the GCC.
Event Description
The AI-Powered Financial Intelligence & Analytics Masterclass and Awards 2026 is a three-day executive learning experience crafted for finance professionals seeking mastery at the intersection of innovation, data, and strategy. As the financial landscape undergoes rapid transformation, this masterclass offers a deep dive into the disruptive potential of AI-powered tools in modern financial ecosystems.
From predictive analytics to intelligent automation, participants will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping forecasting, risk management, investment strategies, and operational efficiency. The program blends practical applications with strategic foresight, equipping decision-makers with the tools and frameworks necessary to lead in a tech-driven economy.
The Strategic Imperative
The finance function is at an inflection point. With 70%+ of organizations adopting AI and finance-specific applications delivering 100-200% ROI, the question is no longer whether to integrate AI—but how quickly your team can deploy these capabilities.
This Masterclass transforms finance professionals into Citizen Developers and Agent Architects, ready to lead the finance function into the Agent Era.
Key Programme Differentiators:
- 70% hands-on labs - participants leave with 5+ working automations
- Tool-agnostic approach - strategic capability building, not vendor training
- Documented ROI: 1,000-1,500% with less than 1-month payback
- Regional compliance focus: DFSA, QFCRA, UAE/QCB requirements embedded
- TransformLab methodology - proprietary learning system delivering guaranteed outcomes
Not theory. Not demonstrations. Actual deployment.
Who Should Attend?
- Finance Leaders seeking practical AI knowledge without deep technical requirements.
- CFOs & Controllers wanting to understand AI potential for their organizations.
- FP&A and Treasury Teams looking to enhance analysis and reporting capabilities.
- Risk & Compliance Professionals interested in AI-assisted monitoring and controls.
- Business Managers responsible for process improvement and efficiency initiatives.
- Experience Level: Designed for finance professionals with varying technical backgrounds - from AI beginners to those with some exposure seeking practical applications.
Disclaimer: Attendee should be comfortable using Excel/Google Sheets for basic data analysis and should have interest in learning new technology tools for business improvement.
Why You Should Not Miss This Masterclass?
You’ll discover how ChatGPT, Google AI tools, automation platforms, and business intelligence software can revolutionize your daily finance operations. Each day introduces new AI capabilities through practical exercises, real business scenarios, and interactive challenges. Leave with hands-on experience using 8+ AI tools, practical templates for immediate use, and a complete automated trial balance processing system that demonstrates advanced AI integration.