CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance

In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by Nicola Horton, Principal at the CFO Centre, to explore what it really takes to step up into the CFO seat and thrive once you're thereNicola draws on her own journey from financial controller to CFO, including leading a business turnaround in her first CFO role, as well as nine years spent coaching finance leaders through that same transition - sharing practical lessons on everything from building the right team to nurturing bank relationships that take years to earn trust.In this episode we cover:Why starting a CFO role at a new company can be easier than an internal promotionThe most common gap when people step up: letting go of the detail and thinking strategicallyHow to build trust with your bank long before you need their supportWhy "the right team" matters more than almost anything elseHow to bring a reluctant owner-manager or board on side with bigger decisionsNicola's advice for making the most of your first 100 days in a new CFO roleLinks mentioned: Nicola's Linkedin Learn more about The CFO centre

Roger Castle is a fractional Finance Director and CFO with The CFO Centre. In this episode, Roger joins Hannah to unpack what it really takes to lead through change, from persuading a fast-growing team to accept its first-ever cost cuts, to helping SME owners turn vague ambitions into concrete, achievable growth plans. Roger shares the practical realities of working as a fractional CFO across multiple clients at once, and the mindset shift required to move from corporate scale to hands-on SME finance. In this episode, they cover: Leading a workforce through its first-ever cost-cutting exerciseReading personality types to get sales, ops and product directors aligned around the numbersTurning short-term-focused CEOs into long-term plannersBlending top-down market data with bottom-up revenue modellingManaging a management buyout alongside an incumbent FD

In this episode of CFO 4.0 Revisited, we're looking back at Hannah Munro's conversation with Sabrina Castiglione at the time, Chief Operating Officer at Pento, and now CFO at Omnea.Sabrina's path into finance leadership is anything but conventional. She studied chemistry at university, spent years in financial services, then made the leap into startups as CFO at Tassie before stepping into the COO seat at Pento.In this session, Hannah and Sabrina cover:How a business's needs shift as it moves from Seed to Series A and beyondWhat life as a startup CFO really looks likeMaking the move from CFO to COOThe current landscape for startup fundingHow the economic climate has changed what investors look forPeople vs roles - what recruitment looks like inside a startupLinks mentioned in this episodeSabrina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scastiglione/Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

In this episode of CFO Stories, Hannah is joined by Sophia Levell FCCA, CFO of Access Fertility and one of the youngest CFOs in the UK. Sophia shares the fast-tracked path that got her there and what she's learned since.In this episode, we cover:Why she dropped out of college to start her ACCA journey earlyThe mentor-shaped transition from finance operator to strategic CFOHiring for complementary skills, not personality Building trust with the C-suite through constant, unfiltered communicationSophia's advice for anyone stepping into their first CFO roleLinks mentionedSophia's LinkedinLearn more about Access FertilityLearn more about ACCAExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

Financial decisions are rarely as rational as we think. In this episode, Hannah Munro is joined by Lesley Thomas, Founder of the Money Confidence Academy, to explore the hidden psychology driving the choices CFOs and finance leaders make every day.In this episode, we cover:Why financial decisions are driven more by emotion than data The role your childhood relationship with money plays in your leadership style todayHow to separate personal identity from the decisions your role demands you makeWhy avoiding difficult conversations creates a "hidden tax" on your organisation's performanceHow to overcome decision paralysis and know when you have enough information to actThe importance of building a culture where your team feels safe to share ideas and concernsLesley's Five R's framework for making clearer, faster, and more confident decisionsLinks mentionedLesley's Linkedin Learn more about The Money Confidence AcademyExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

CFO 4.0 is back! In this unmissable relaunch episode, Hannah Munro sits down with Tomas Hollington, Director of Technology at BW Workplace Experts, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead change in a fast-growing, technology-driven business — and trust us, it's not what you'd expect.What’s covered in this episode Why culture and trust are the real foundations of successful change  How to manage the pace of innovation without overwhelming the business  Practical ways to prioritise ideas and avoid “change for the sake of change”  The role of leadership programmes in driving behavioural and cultural shifts  How to turn sceptics into your most valuable allies in transformation  Why technology success depends more on people than the tools themselvesLinks mentioned in this episodeTomas' LinkedinLearn more about BW Workplace ExpertsExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

When we first released this conversation, it was our 100th episode, a milestone that felt worth marking with something special. Now, 174 episodes later, it's clear why this one deserved a revisit.Host Hannah Munro is joined by Glenn Hopper, Author of Deep Finance and now Managing Director at VAi Consulting for a discussion that's only grown more relevant with time. With over 15 years of experience in the CFO seat, Glenn brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it really means to build a data-driven finance function, whether you're leading a startup or a global enterprise.In this episode, they explore:The different levels of data maturity within an organisation — and how to honestly assess where yours sitsHow finance teams can evolve into finance scientists, moving from reporting the past to shaping the futureWhy real-time data has become a non-negotiable for modern finance leadersThe practical steps to becoming a truly data-driven organisation

This week on the CFO 4.0 Revisited series, host Hannah Munro is joined by Isaac Strulowitz, Alternative Investments CFO, who offers his unique perspective on risk management, providing valuable insights into how CFOs can protect their firms against unforeseen challenges, a conversation that remains as timely and essential as ever.In this episode, we cover:Isaac's first-hand account of navigating the SVB collapse and the proactive steps his team took to protect investor capital.Risk management strategies that have proven effective, such as creating redundancies, maintaining a robust disaster recovery plan, and evaluating all firm relationships for potential risks.The delicate balance a successful CFO must strike between budget management, operational duties, and strategic oversight.Isaac's concept of a "cockroach" company, one built to survive and continue functioning even after major crises.Links mentioned in this episodeExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsOriginally released as episode 144 of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, this episode is part of our CFO 4.0 Revisited series — bringing back some of our most valuable conversations for a new listen.Hannah Munro is joined by Sylvia Ionita, Finance Executive at LFG Solutions LLC, who at the time of recording was CFO at waterdrop. With hands-on experience scaling start-ups, Sylvia brings sharp, practical wisdom on what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up — the highs, the hard lessons, and everything in between.In this episode, we cover:How presenting real numbers and financial data at all levels drives awareness and accountability across the teamSylvia's approach to leadership meetings, mentoring, and building genuine personal connectionsImplementation measures to enhance profitability and maintain control during periods of rapid growthHow to discern which problems demand immediate action and which call for a longer-term strategic responseThe importance of internal mentorship and fostering a culture of personal developmentSylvia's top tips for finance professionals stepping into the start-up world for the first timeLinks mentioned:Sylvia’s LinkedInExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsFor this CFO 4.0 Revisited episode, Hannah Munro is joined by Oliver Deacon, Executive Coach and Founder of Oliver Deacon Coaching, to explore what the future of finance leadership really looks like over the next five years.As finance teams continue to face rapid technological change, increasing pressure to deliver insight, and evolving expectations from the wider business, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Oliver shares why the most successful finance leaders of the future will be those who combine commercial thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strong leadership skills alongside technical capability.What’s covered in this episode?• Why soft skills are becoming one of the most valuable assets in finance leadership • The growing importance of leadership and communication across finance teams • How process engineering and operational thinking will shape future finance functions • Practical ways finance professionals can build resilience and adapt to constant change • Creating a culture of continuous learning within finance teams • How emerging technologies can help finance leaders drive greater business impactLinks mentioned in this episodeOliver's LinkedInOliver Deacon Coaching Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodesExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsFor this CFO 4.0 Revisited episode, Hannah Munro is joined by Shaun Hayes, author of The Gray Choice, to explore the realities of leadership, resilience, and decision-making in high-pressure environments. What’s covered in this episode Why taking calculated risks is essential for long-term success  Lessons learned from major setbacks and how to recover stronger  The importance of building a trusted circle of advisors and mentors  Why happiness and fulfilment do not always come from constant growth  The role discipline and standards play in financial leadership  Insights from Shaun’s book The Gray Choice and his leadership philosophyLinks referenced in this episode:Shaun Hayes LinkedInVisit Shaun’s WebsiteShaun’s YouTube Channel Shaun’s Book: The Gray ChoiceExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!