Being a finance leader is no longer just about controlling costs. 2025’s CFOs are trusted business leaders and innovators that drive growth throughout the organisation. Hosted by technology reporter, presenter and consumer champion, David McClelland, The CFO Playbook features interviews with world-class CFOs, finance leaders and founders from some of the fastest growing companies. The CFO Playbook is brought to you by Soldo.
Is the future of finance full-time? Or are the best CFOs increasingly working across multiple businesses? Is there someone you’d like to see on The CFO Playbook? Email us at: pr@soldo.com In this episode of The CFO Playbook , David McClelland is joined by Sara Daw , Global CEO of The CFO Centre and the Liberty Group, and one of the world’s leading voices on fractional finance leadership. Sara shares why more businesses are choosing to access CFO expertise rather than employ it full-time, and explains what she’s learned after more than two decades working alongside hundreds of finance leaders across 18 countries. She explores how the CFO role has evolved from technical expert to trusted strategic adviser, why relationships matter more than reporting, and how the best finance leaders help CEOs make better decisions. In her conversation with David McClelland, Sara discusses her own unconventional career journey from Deloitte and London Business School into the emerging world of fractional finance, why she chose flexibility over investment banking, and how that decision led to building the world’s largest network of fractional CFOs. She also explains what makes a successful fractional CFO, how businesses know when it’s time to hire a full-time finance leader, and why access to leadership is becoming more valuable than ownership of talent. Sara also shares her research into the future of work, including psychological ownership, blended workforces, and how organisations can build trust and commitment beyond traditional employment models. Finally, she looks ahead to an AI-enabled finance function, explaining why judgment, ethics, and human relationships will become even more valuable as finance becomes increasingly autonomous. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why businesses are increasingly hiring fractional CFOs What CEOs really value from finance leaders beyond technical expertise The signs a business is ready for a full-time CFO The skills that separate great fractional CFOs from the rest How to build trust and psychological ownership in flexible teams Why relationships matter more than reporting How AI is changing the future of finance leadership Why judgment, ethics, and communication will become a CFO’s greatest competitive advantage About Soldo Soldo is the proactive spend management solution that frees progressive businesses to accomplish more. Learn more: https://www.soldo.com/en-gb/ Useful Links 🔗 Sara Daw - https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradaw/
How do you lead finance in a global human rights organisation, protect independence, and make sure every pound supports the mission? Is there someone you’d like to see on The CFO Playbook? Email us at: pr@soldo.com In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Rohan Hewavisenti, CFO at Amnesty International, one of the world’s most recognised human rights organisations. Rohan shares what financial discipline looks like when the stakes are not measured in profit, but in people’s lives. He explains how Amnesty International’s International Secretariat operates as a £100 million organisation, working as part of a wider €400 million global movement, and why preserving independence shapes everything from funding decisions to resource allocation. In his conversation with David McClelland, Rohan reflects on his career across the not-for-profit sector, from ActionAid and Breast Cancer Care to the British Red Cross, RNIB and Amnesty International. He discusses managing volatility, rebuilding from a £20 million deficit, investing in future areas of human rights work, and keeping finance closely connected to mission impact. Rohan also explores the role of generative AI in a human rights organisation, from the ethical questions around bias, data, and autonomous weapons to the internal opportunities for improving efficiency and accessing decades of research. He explains why CFOs need to understand the cost of AI, build data skills across their teams, and stay open to technology by using it regularly. Rohan’s CFO Playbook principle: Understand the organisation deeply, from what drives income and costs to what drives good performance in mission-related work. About Soldo Soldo is the proactive spend management solution that frees progressive businesses to accomplish more. Learn more: https://www.soldo.com/en-gb/ Useful Links 🔗 Amnesty International – https://www.amnesty.org/en/ Rohan Hewavisenti – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohan-hewavisenti-b716617/
How do you rebuild a heritage automotive brand, manage risk through volatility, and keep finance close to the factory floor? Is there someone you’d like to see on The CFO Playbook? Email us at: pr@soldo.com In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Andy Mullineaux, CFO at MOKE International, the British automotive brand reimagining the iconic MOKE as a fully electric, modern vehicle built in the Midlands. Andy shares what it takes to build a lean finance function inside a niche automotive business, from keeping teams small and data clean to making sure finance processes are embedded across operations, manufacturing, supply chain, and risk management. He explains why good inputs matter more than trying to predict the future of AI, and how preparing data properly today can make finance teams more effective tomorrow. In his conversation with David McClelland, Andy reflects on his journey from PwC to McLaren and then MOKE, including the lessons learned from scenario planning through crisis, navigating funding gaps, and working with world-class engineers. He also discusses the challenge of scaling a beloved heritage brand, the impact of US tariffs, why CFOs need to get out from behind the spreadsheet, and how asking “stupid” questions can be one of the smartest things a finance leader can do. Andy’s CFO Playbook principle: Get yourself a rubber duck, explaining the problem out loud might just solve it. Chapters: (00:00) Intro: from supercars to a heritage electric automotive brand (04:15) The story of MOKE, from failed military project to holiday icon (10:58) Building a lean finance function from a blank sheet of paper (14:00) AI, clean data, and preparing finance for future tools (20:30) Lessons from McLaren and the challenge of independent automotive brands (24:21) Why Andy’s CFO role is deeply embedded in operations (38:35) Scenario planning, funding gaps, and the arrival of the pandemic (46:11) Risk management, curiosity, and asking the obvious questions (59:31) MOKE’s US ambitions, tariffs, and market diversification (01:09:08) Rubber duck programming as a CFO leadership principle About Soldo Soldo is the proactive spend management solution that frees progressive businesses to accomplish more. Over 25,000 organisations across 31 countries use Soldo to end slow, messy, and inefficient spending, bringing financial agility and control over every expense. Soldo frees finance with a uniquely proactive approach to managing decentralised spending with real-time expense reporting. By combining a powerful spend management platform, a user-friendly mobile app, and prepaid and virtual cards, Soldo automates expense administration to eliminate inefficiencies in managing business spending. By proactively managing decentralised spend, organisations empower employees to spend when and where it's needed, keeping productivity high while avoiding month-end surprises. Founded in 2015 by Italian digital innovator Carlo Gualandri, Soldo is headquartered in London, with offices in Dublin, Milan, and Rome. Learn more: https://www.soldo.com/en-gb/ Useful Links 🔗 MOKE International – https://mokeinternational.com/ Andy Mullineaux – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mullineaux-aca-27b32060/
How does a CFO help turn startup chaos into scale-up structure, translate numbers into action, and support growth across every part of the business? In this episode of The CFO Playbook , David McClelland is joined by Brad Channer, CFO at UBIO , the automation company helping businesses connect systems that were never designed to work together. Brad shares why the CFO role in a startup or scale-up is far broader than finance alone. At UBIO, that means working across fundraising, sales, legal, HR, operations, board reporting, and exit planning — often all at once. He describes the CFO as the “glue” in a business: the person who connects teams, brings clarity, and helps turn data into decisions. A key theme in the conversation is Brad’s idea of “narrating the numbers.” He explains why finance leaders must do more than report figures — they need to communicate them in ways that founders, boards, and investors can understand and act on. For Brad, strong finance leadership combines technical accuracy with empathy, storytelling, and an understanding of what matters most to each audience. Brad also reflects on his unconventional route into finance. Before becoming a CFO, he trained as an actor, worked in hospitality and street sales, launched startups, and learned fundraising and resilience through experience. That background still shapes how he leads today, particularly in communication, confidence, and understanding motivation. The episode also explores fundraising, founder-CFO relationships, and the future of finance in an AI-driven world. Brad argues that early-stage fundraising is often about belief in the founder as much as the business, and that AI will increasingly automate junior finance work — making judgment, adaptability, and communication even more valuable. Brad’s CFO Playbook principle: Communicate clearly, know your objective, and make sure the numbers tell a story people can act on. Useful Links 🔗 UBIO – https://ub.io/ Brad Channer – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradchanner/ About The CFO Playbook The CFO Playbook is hosted by David McClelland, exploring how world-class finance leaders use technology, set goals, plan, lead teams, and drive growth.
How does a CFO help a business stand out in a crowded market, execute a bold AI strategy, and lead the company through acquisition without losing focus? In this episode of The CFO Playbook , David McClelland is joined by Tom DiDesidero, CFO at SmartRecruiters , the hiring platform focused on making recruitment easier and more effective for enterprise customers. Tom explains why the most effective CFOs are deeply operational, not just financial stewards. He reflects on joining SmartRecruiters at a pivotal moment, partnering closely with CEO Rebecca Carr, and helping the company sharpen its strategy in an increasingly commoditised HR tech market. That meant narrowing the product focus, moving decisively on AI, and building belief across the organisation that the business could move faster than bigger competitors. Tom shares how SmartRecruiters differentiated itself by simplifying its offering and investing in an AI-powered platform, including its agentic system, Winston. He discusses the importance of making bold decisions early, aligning teams around a clear direction, and turning strategy into execution through disciplined sequencing, milestones, and focus. The conversation also explores what SAP saw in SmartRecruiters, and what it really takes to prepare a company for acquisition. Tom breaks down the finance leader’s role before, during, and after a deal: getting the data right, creating a credible story, managing confidentiality tightly, supporting teams through uncertainty, and adapting from a fast-moving independent company into a much larger, more matrixed organisation. Tom also reflects on his wider career journey across software, e-commerce, payments, IPO environments, and transformation moments, and shares his view on AI in finance: use it to automate lower-value work, free up time, and help teams focus on better decisions and more valuable analysis. Tom’s CFO Playbook principle: move quickly, be decisive, communicate clearly, and keep repeating the why until people understand their role in it. Useful Links 🔗 SmartRecruiters - https://www.smartrecruiters.com Tom Di Desidero - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasdidesidero/ About The CFO Playbook The CFO Playbook is hosted by David McClelland , exploring how world-class finance leaders use technology, set goals, plan, lead teams, and drive growth. Brought to you by Soldo .
How do you keep finance customer-centric—especially when you’re scaling fast, operating across regulated markets, and navigating crisis moments? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Mohamed “Mo” Omaizat, CFO and Managing Director at Taxfix, the Berlin-based, AI-first tax platform helping customers file taxes more easily across multiple European markets. Mo shares why customer-centricity isn’t a slogan - it’s a leadership system: calendar time with frontline teams, regular rituals, and tying financial models directly to customer behaviour (retention, frequency, cohort dynamics). He also explains how he approaches resource allocation across product, segment, and geographic growth using a customer-weighted ROI lens - and why regulation, at its core, is about trust. Mo reflects on lessons from investment banking and private equity through to scaling playbooks at Rocket Internet, and the leadership demands of guiding teams through crisis - staying authentic, telling the truth, setting direction, and rebuilding step by step. He closes with a sharp view on AI’s opportunity in finance: automate low-value work (data ingestion, reconciliation), so teams can move up the stack into insight, scenario thinking, and better decisions. Mo’s CFO Playbook principle: “If you touch it, stick with it—choose wisely, commit fully, and make the trade-offs explicit.” Useful Links 🔗 Mohamed Omaizat - https://de.linkedin.com/in/mohamed-omaizat-3b951a11 Company - https://taxfix.com About The CFO Playbook The CFO Playbook is hosted by David McClelland, exploring how world-class finance leaders use technology, set goals, plan, lead teams, and drive growth. Brought to you by Soldo.
How do you raise $100m fast and still keep finance discipline as you scale? In this episode of The CFO Playbook , David McClelland is joined by John Glasgow , CFO and CEO at Campfire (a Silicon Valley scale-up building a modern ERP for growing companies). John shares what it really looks like to run both the vision and the purse strings, including how Campfire raised $100m across Series A and B in rapid succession , why investors sometimes want you to spend more, and how finance leaders can enable speed without becoming the “office of no.” Listeners will hear John unpack how fundraising becomes easy when the business is genuinely great, what investors looked for at an inflection point, and how a steepening growth curve changes the CFO mindset from protecting cash to deploying it with disciplined intent. He also explains Campfire’s bet on AI for accounting, including building a specialised “large accounting model,” and why many companies cannot unlock AI value without rebuilding their core data foundation. We also explore the realities of migrating off legacy ERP systems, how implementation can be redesigned to move faster, and what changes when a founder hires themselves out of role after role. John closes with a practical CFO playbook principle: start every tough finance conversation by aligning on the same goal, because you are on the same side of the table. John’s CFO Playbook principle: “We want the same thing. If you hit your plan, I hit mine. Let’s solve this together.” Useful Links 🔗 Guest website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnglasgow/ Company (Campfire): https://campfire.ai/ About The CFO Playbook The CFO Playbook is hosted by David McClelland , exploring how world-class finance leaders use technology, set goals, plan, lead teams, and drive growth. Brought to you by www.soldo.com
How do finance leaders move from reporting the past to shaping the future — and what will truly matter for CFOs in the year ahead? In this special end-of-year episode of The CFO Playbook , host David McClelland is joined once again by Sacha Herman, Chief Financial Officer at Soldo, to reflect on the most powerful themes and insights shared by finance leaders throughout 2025. Drawing on conversations from across the season, David and Sacha revisit how the role of finance is evolving — from strategic partnership and collaboration, to technology adoption, talent, diversity, and innovation — and look ahead to what 2026 may hold. Listeners will hear highlights from guests across industries who redefine what progressive finance really means today. From being a true co-pilot to the CEO, to breaking down silos across the organisation, the episode explores how finance teams are moving out of the rear-view mirror and into the driver’s seat of decision-making. Sacha reflects on the cultural conditions required for this shift and why collaboration — not just with the CEO, but across every function — is now central to finance leadership. The conversation also dives deep into technology as a catalyst for change. Building on insights from leaders at Nestlé, IBM, and Accel, David and Sacha unpack how AI and data analytics are moving beyond hype into practical, embedded tools that enhance forecasting, accelerate close, and free finance teams from low-value work. Rather than shrinking teams, the focus is on improving data quality, insight, and impact, making finance a more attractive, strategic career for the next generation. We also explore people and purpose: how diversity strengthens finance teams, why representation matters for building better products, and how finance can help organisations become more sustainable, innovative, and resilient. As the episode concludes, Sacha shares his predictions for the year ahead, not bold promises, but grounded expectations about how CFOs will begin to see real learning and value from AI-enabled finance tools in 2026. This episode is both a look back at the defining conversations of 2025 and a forward-looking guide for finance leaders preparing for what comes next.
How do you build a finance organization that fuels rapid scale without losing agility and clarity of purpose? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Liz Kistruck, Chief Financial Officer at Motorway, the UK’s largest consumer to dealer used car marketplace and one of the country’s fastest-growing unicorns. Liz shares how Motorway has transformed a fragmented offline industry into a digital platform that creates value for both sellers and dealers, and how the company is preparing for its next chapter as it approaches profitability. Listeners will hear Liz break down the CFO remit inside a high-growth scale up, from saying yes faster with confidence to knowing when to pump the brakes. She explains the discipline required to avoid the trap of doing too much, why organizations should only pursue slam dunk initiatives and how finance can be a force for clarity, conviction and forward momentum rather than the office of no. We also explore the evolution of hybrid work, scaling communication muscles as companies grow, the realities of navigating regulation as a disruptive business model and the mindset needed to push through uncertainty. Liz reflects on her path from engineering jet engines to building finance functions at Expedia, fashion marketplaces and now Motorway, sharing insights on problem solving, leading change and staying curious across an entire business. Liz’s contribution to the CFO Playbook centers on the power of confident decision making. Her guiding principle If it has to be now, it has to be no helps finance leaders resist pressure, create space for better choices and lead with calm clarity.
Download our checklist, The future belongs to adaptable finance leaders. How do you build a finance function that can plan and pivot at the speed of change? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Hemant Kapadia, Chief Financial Officer at Anaplan , the connected planning platform used by enterprises across finance, sales, supply chain and workforce planning. Hemant shares how Anaplan’s AI-driven calculation engine and new purpose-built applications help leaders model scenarios, understand ripple effects across the business and make confident decisions faster. Listeners will hear how Hemant runs finance with a daily close mindset, translating shifts in pipeline into real-time visibility on bookings, billings, EBITDA and cash flow. He explains his dual role as an internal operator and external advisor to customer CFOs, and why connecting teams to both operational metrics and long-term impact is central to his remit. We also unpack the current state of AI in the enterprise, from the hype to the practical point solutions that are starting to deliver value, plus the data orchestration and governance needed to avoid noisy outcomes and protect trust. Hemant’s career story moves from engineering microelectronics for the F-35 to GE’s audit staff and through low-margin manufacturing, product, services, FP&A and more. He reflects on building range by leaving your comfort zone, the power of mentors, making decisions with imperfect information and why finance teams should be in the boat rowing with the business, not watching from the pier.
Download our checklist, The CFO’s AI checklist: six practical steps For your chance to win the ultimate CFO library, enter the competition today: www.soldo.com/competition What role should finance play when artificial intelligence is reshaping the way global businesses operate? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Riccardo Calliano , VP Finance, GenAI Commercial Investments at GSK, to explore how AI is transforming finance and business decision-making. With a career spanning Europe, the US, China and beyond, Riccardo has built a reputation for leading finance teams through transformation while staying focused on value creation. Listeners will gain insights into the opportunities and challenges of deploying AI at scale, from driving productivity and compliance to unlocking real-time insights that fuel commercial outcomes. Riccardo shares why traditional ways of measuring ROI don’t always apply in the age of AI, and why CFOs must move beyond being guardians of value to become true drivers of innovation. Our conversation also looks at leadership and career development. Riccardo reflects on his own journey from finance roles across multiple markets to embracing technology head-on, even learning to code in Python in order to bridge the gap between business and tech. His philosophy of investing in “optionality, not certainty” offers lessons for finance leaders navigating change, and he explains why, in his words, “our safety is in our speed.”
Download our checklist, 6 practices of a fulfilling Finance career Enter the competition today: www.soldo.com/competition What does it take to keep a finance function firmly on track in one of the UK’s most asset-heavy industries? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Funto Agbeniga, Head of Finance at GB Railfreight, to explore her intentional career journey and the leadership lessons she’s picked up along the way. From her early days at KPMG, to roles at Unilever and the charitable sector, Funto has made purposeful stops along the way — each one shaping how she drives transformation and keeps momentum in her career. Listeners will gain a firsthand look at how finance powers GB Railfreight’s operations — from keeping contracts on the right track and managing the life cycle of heavy-duty assets, to balancing short-term reporting with the long-haul view of strategy. Funto shares how she’s helped her team move from number-crunching to true business partnering, ensuring finance always has a seat at the table when critical decisions are made. Our conversation also dives into transformation and innovation: from the role of AI and tools like ChatGPT, to investing in the Class 99 dual-mode locomotive — a major step in building a more sustainable railway. Funto reflects on the importance of leadership visibility, nurturing future talent, and why finance leaders need to understand their stakeholders beyond the numbers. It’s not only understanding others that Funto highlights, but it is also about ensuring you are staying true to yourself. Funto advice: don’t settle — be the driver of your own locomotive.
Download our checklist, The 8 CFO Stategies for Smart Scaling Enter the competition today: www.soldo.com/competition What does it mean to build a finance function that is truly aligned with product, operations and customers? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Ben Averis , CFO of Yoto , the screen-free audio platform helping children explore stories, music and learning on their own terms. Ben shares his strategic journey of steering Yoto through its ambitious expansion across five countries, including the US, which stands as its largest market. Listeners will gain a firsthand account of balancing operational growth with financial discipline in a seasonal business, as well as insights into the distinct challenges of raising capital and making sound decisions in a fast-paced startup environment. Our conversation takes a deep dive into Ben's transition across industries, from navigating the turbulent waters of the travel sector during the pandemic to embracing the vibrant startup landscape at Yoto. His reflections on cash flow management during crises offer valuable lessons and underscore the critical nature of agility and foresight in financial leadership. We also explore the broader scope of Ben’s role, which encompasses finance, operations, and supply chain management, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and collaboration for informed decision-making. Ever wondered how AI and outsourcing can revolutionise productivity? Ben unveils the innovative ways Yoto is leveraging these tools to enhance efficiency and maintain flexibility, especially in a seasonal market. Through strategic playdates and community-driven content creation, Yoto fosters a vibrant ecosystem that stands resilient against competition. Ben shares his vision for progressive finance, where clarity and simplicity reign supreme, and invites listeners to transform insights into action with a unique high-value resource crafted to guide finance leaders on their journey.
What if you could transform your finance operations by integrating technology and automation into every aspect of your business strategy? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by fractional CFO-COO Charlie Hunt to explore how FinOps are reshaping the landscape of finance by shifting from isolated departments to integrated roles, with finance leaders becoming strategic partners to CEOs. Starting out in retail banking during the 2008 financial crash to now working with a portfolio of companies as a fractional CFO-COO, Charlie is an advocate for the hybridisation of the roles, emphasising trust and collaboration with CEOs as a paramount feature. FinOps, as a philosophy, merges financial and operational efficiencies, streamlining processes like reporting and cash flow management, ultimately boosting business performance. For modern businesses, this dual understanding is pivotal, especially in fast changing economic conditions, integrating financial insights with broader operational strategies can be a catalyst for growth and transformation. From her experience of working in construction and manufacturing, Charlie explains that despite some initial resistance, traditional sectors are now embracing transformation through the adoption of technology. Integrating tools such as automated reporting and cloud accounting software are significantly enhancing efficiency. Hear about the evolving nature of software, the imperative for finance teams to stay current with technological advancements, and the critical traits of curiosity and adaptability for today's finance leaders. Download your free CFO-COO alignment checklist here . Find all episodes of The CFO Playbook here
In the latest episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Ben Dooley , CFO at Accel to explore nuances of the CFO role within lean, agile organisations with vast geographical footprints. Highlighting venture capital's vibrant evolution, Ben shares the ripple effect of successful startups and Accel’s strategic focus on early-stage tech investments across Europe, Israel, and India. Hear how Accel's vision complements Silicon Valley's tech dominance and the necessity for European firms to establish their US presence while preserving their European roots. Highlighting the role of a CFO in guiding companies through growth stages, including pre-IPO rounds, in a rapidly evolving VC landscape, Ben explains the significance of nurturing relationships with portfolio companies and investors alike. Drawing clear distinctions from other industries, Ben highlights the nuances of being a CFO in a VC firm, explaining the predictability of revenue streams and cost structures that set venture capital apart. With universal importance of clear communication and strategic foresight when engaging with stakeholders remaining paramount, particularly in the fast-paced world of venture capital. Reflecting on his own approach as a CFO, Ben emphasises the use of storytelling in boardrooms and the longstanding power of the elevator pitch, especially in an era of AI and cybersecurity challenges. From emerging trends to best practices, this episode is packed with insights for aspiring and current finance leaders navigating complex business environments. Find all episodes of The CFO Playbook here .
Beyond the balance sheet, what strategies do CFOs in the fast-moving consumer goods industry deploy to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market? In this episode, Claire Caulliez , CFO at Nestle Italy & Malta, gives David McClelland a behind the scenes insight into the unique challenges finance leaders face in an industry driven by high volume and fierce brand loyalty. Claire’s strategies for smart sourcing, hedging, and agile pricing are not just tactics but essential tools for sustaining consumer attention and ensuring product availability. Highlighting how agility in financial planning is paramount amidst whirlwind changes in buying tastes and commodity prices, Claire explains that much like managing personal finances, it's about distinguishing between essentials and expendables. Discussing the broader role of a CFO in fuelling growth, Claire advocates collaboration across departments including sales, supply chain, and HR, as being critical for transparency and risk management, while having the courage to be a change-maker within the organisation. Find all episodes of The CFO Playbook here
Following the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, David McClelland is joined by an expert panel to explore how the Statement, alongside the wider economic landscape, will influence CFOs ability to plan, invest and drive confidence. Baroness Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Oli Lawson , CFO at Sigma Sports, and Helen Ashton , former CFO of ASOS, discuss the economic context of Rachel Reeves' Statement and Labour's vision for economic growth. Hear their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities for enhancing the UK's business climate and attracting international investment, and strategies for building confidence in decision-making, drawing parallels to Ireland's success with corporation tax rates. As we navigate the post-Brexit and post-Covid business landscape, the discussion highlights how businesses can manage current challenges and seize growth opportunities. Underscoring the critical role of CFOs and finance professionals in steering through market volatility with advanced planning tools and AI, our panel examines how government collaboration and investment in digital technologies, R&D, and workforce training, particularly in the construction sector, can create a resilient and thriving economy. Find all episodes of The CFO Playbook here
Organisations are making bold bets on AI for the long-term, with 89% planning to increase or maintain their AI investments in 2025*. Moving beyond experimentation, organisations are now zeroing in on the bottom line - and it’s CFOs who are responsible for making sure these investments deliver real business impact. In this episode, Monica Proothi , IBM Consulting’s Global Finance Transformation Leader joins David McClelland to discuss finance transformation and the role of AI in enhancing financial operations. They explore the changing landscape of finance, the importance of integrating technology, and the challenges organisations face in adopting AI. With over 20 years of experience in finance transformation, partnering with CFOs at some of the world’s largest companies to drive growth and productivity, Monica shares insights on the need for clear strategy and collaboration across departments, the importance of bridging the skills gap and understanding barriers to change. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Monica is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture, serving as a champion for women in senior finance roles. The episode also explores the cultural and technical barriers faced by different industries and the significance of continuous improvement in finance practices. * IBM ROI of AI Report December 2024 Find all episodes of The CFO Playbook here .
In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Jitesh Sodha , outgoing CFO of Spire Healthcare and a winner of the HotTopics Global CFO 100 . A seasoned, but initially accidental CFO with over 25 years experience including FTSE 250 NED (PZ Cussons) and PLC board experience, Jitesh candidly reflects on the influences of luck and timing in his career advancement, observing that many CFO positions arise from the necessity to address specific challenges within a business. Rather than focusing narrowly on statistics or technical tasks alone, proactive decision-making has been front and centre over his quarter of a century as a CFO. Going beyond analysing the numbers, a broader approach of solving problems and building cooperative and collaborative relationships, has led to him leaving every organisation in a better place than when he joined it. Throughout his tenure, Jitesh has witnessed first-hand how data has revolutionised decision-making. Reflecting on past practices, he recalls how businesses once relied on monthly data cycles, leading to delayed decisions and limited agility. Today, thanks to advances in technology, daily and real-time data empowers CFOs to make hundreds of decisions, accelerating progress even if some decisions don't always land perfectly. Highlighting the impact of emerging technologies on finance leadership, he passionately advocates for the cautious deployment of responsible AI in enhancing operational efficiency to maximise benefits while managing risks. As he prepares for the next chapter of his career in a range of non-exec roles, Jitesh is committed to mentoring future finance leaders, and is proud to have been honoured as a Global CFO 100 winner in his final year as CFO at Spire Healthcare. Find all the episodes of The CFO Playbook here .
In this episode, David McClelland is joined by Thomas Schindler , CFO at Allianz Global Investors to explore the evolving role of finance leaders in today's dynamic business landscape. As Thomas shares in today’s episode, Asset Managers have a unique, if under-recognised, impact on the world around us – one that touches each of our lives. A lawyer by training who previously served as the company’s General Counsel, Thomas discusses his journey to CFO, revealing how his legal expertise enriches his approach to leadership and decision-making in Finance. He advocates for a collaborative culture within finance teams, where open communication and cross-functional partnerships lead to better decision-making and strategic growth. Hear how Thomas’ approach to making himself replaceable has allowed him to empower teams who innovate in their roles, ensuring that they add value to their organisation beyond traditional financial metrics. The episode also explores highlights from Soldo’s 2025 Productivity at Work report, with Thomas reinforcing the necessity of continuous improvement in processes to avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks, ultimately positioning finance as a key enabler of business success. Click here to download the report.
