As we look ahead to 2026, it’s clear that the world of Finance and Supply Chain is evolving at an unprecedented pace. At Solventure, we’re privileged to work closely with organisations navigating these changes, and we would like to share the five trends we believe will most profoundly shape our landscape in the coming years. These insights are grounded in our daily conversations with customers, industry observations, and the lessons learned from recent years of market volatility and transformation.
1. Navigating Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainty
The first dominant theme is the ongoing economic and geopolitical turbulence. Sectors like chemicals and automotive are under significant pressure, and the broader economy remains unpredictable. Geopolitical tensions – whether in the US, Europe, or due to the looming Russian threat – create uncertainty and volatility, making organizations more cautious and forcing them to prepare for surprises we can’t yet foresee.
In this environment, companies must “sail close to the wind.” When growth prospects are unclear, cost control and cash availability become paramount. Organisations need to remain agile, ready to adapt quickly to both negative and positive events. This requires Finance and Supply Chain teams to join forces, ensuring operational flexibility through better planning processes, strategic inventory buffers, and the ability to translate operational realities into financial impacts. Too often, we see improvisation on the Supply Chain side and reactive analysis on the Finance side – without alignment or shared data. True resilience comes from breaking down these silos.
2. Artificial Intelligence & Automation: Hype, Hope, and Reality
2025 may be remembered as the year of generative AI, with tools like ChatGPT capturing the world’s imagination. While the progress is impressive, practical use cases remain limited, and we’re not yet at the stage of artificial general intelligence (AGI). On top of that, there’s a real risk of an “AI bubble” that needs to burst before the technology finds its true, lasting impact – much like in the dot-com era.
Specifically for Supply Chain and Finance, most companies are focused on making existing planning processes smarter and faster, rather than fundamentally rethinking them. Today’s planning remains rooted in deterministic, static assumptions – fixed lead times, predictable demand – which stands in stark contrast to the uncertainty of modern Supply Chains. There’s a growing need to use AI not just to optimize old models, but to reimagine planning from scratch. Some tools are emerging, but adoption is still in its early days.
3. Deepening Collaboration Between Finance & Supply Chain
A third trend is the increasing integration of Finance and Supply Chain functions. At Solventure, we see growing awareness among clients that these domains should be stronger connected. When both sides start from the same data, they can draw different but complementary insights, leading to better decisions.
However, don’t expect a “big bang” just yet. Many organisations still struggle with deep-rooted silos and a sense of powerlessness to bring together the different priorities of service, cost, and cash. It takes courage to make bold, cross-functional decisions. As a partner, Solventure remains committed to missionary work – educating, challenging, and supporting our clients to move beyond old recipes and maximise value through true collaboration.
4. Bridging the Knowledge and Data Gap
There’s still a significant lack of mutual understanding between Finance and Supply Chain professionals. Success in 2026 will require not just IT and process changes, but capability building, helping teams learn each other’s language and priorities.
A major challenge in this is data: many companies operate with multiple ERP systems, inconsistent data structures, and questionable data quality. Achieving a unified view requires investment in data and tools. At Solventure, we’re doubling down on building knowledge and solutions to help clients align financial and operational planning, supported by a unified data model.
5. Technology is Not a Silver Bullet - Process Innovation Matters
Finally, while there’s enormous hope placed in new technologies, it’s crucial to remember that transformation is as much about changing ways of working as it is about adopting new tools. Process innovation often provokes more anxiety than technological change, and organisations are understandably cautious.
At Solventure, our role is to be a trusted, long-term partner, helping customers tackle integrated challenges not just with technology, but with vision, process, and people. Sustainable transformation requires clear processes, the right technology, and, above all, bringing everyone along for the journey.
Building Resilience and Agility in 2026
2026 will not bring a magical solution or a sudden revolution. But by focusing on these five trends – embracing uncertainty, leveraging AI wisely, deepening collaboration, investing in data and skills, and prioritizing process innovation – organizations can build the resilience and agility needed to thrive. At Solventure, we’re committed to guiding our clients every step of the way.
