Alchemy Uncensored

Alchemy Search
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Alchemy Uncensored, a podcast presented by Alchemy Search a team of professional financial and tax recruiters. Our podcast is dedicated to providing valuable insights into the financial and tax sector of the UAE by discussing the challenges and opportunities faced by employers and job seekers. Alchemy Uncensored is the perfect podcast for those looking to gain a competitive edge in the finance, accounting, and tax industry of the UAE.

  1. -3 j

    Season 4 Episode 17: Leadership in Construction - A CFO's Perspective

    Uncertainty is inevitable. How leaders respond to it is what makes the difference. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Alia Saleh, CFO of ISG Middle East, who is widely recognised for her work on leadership, the future of finance, and women's representation at senior levels. Together, they explore what finance leadership looks like in one of the world's most demanding industries and how CFOs can help organisations navigate uncertainty with confidence. Because the reality is, today's CFO is no longer focused solely on financial reporting. They are expected to guide strategy, manage risk, communicate with stakeholders, embrace new technologies, and help businesses make better decisions when the future is uncertain. This conversation brings that into focus. From leading finance in construction to using AI for scenario planning, Alia shares practical lessons on resilience, leadership, and the evolving role of the modern CFO. This is not just about construction. It is about how finance leaders can build stronger businesses during uncertain times. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 What uncertainty looks like from a CFO's perspective 📌 Managing cash flow during volatile markets 📌 Supporting employees, customers, and supply chains through change 📌 The role of banks and external stakeholders during uncertainty 📌 How AI is improving scenario planning and decision-making 📌 The future of finance in the construction industry 📌 What finance leaders should be focusing on today This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East's leading corporate card and expense management platform. Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work. A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region. Whether you're a finance professional, business leader, or aspiring CFO, this episode offers practical insights into leading with confidence when certainty isn't an option. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #Leadership #CFO #FinanceLeadership #Construction #FutureOfFinance #WomenInFinance #AI

    29 min

  2. 24 juin

    Season 4 Episode 16: AI, Real Estate & What Comes Next

    What if every real estate decision was backed by AI? In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel is joined by Christian Kunz, Founder of Prop-AI, a platform focused on transforming real estate investing through artificial intelligence. Before founding Prop-AI, Christian held leadership roles across the UAE’s innovation and investment ecosystem, including serving as Chief Strategy, Innovation and Ventures Officer at DIFC. He also spent several years at McKinsey Digital, advising on digital transformation, innovation strategy, and venture building across the region. Today, he is focused on building the intelligence layer for real estate, helping investors and brokers make smarter, faster, and more informed decisions through AI. Because the reality is, real estate decisions have traditionally relied on fragmented data, market sentiment, and personal networks. Technology is beginning to change that. This conversation explores how AI is reshaping real estate investing, what is really happening across the UAE and Saudi property markets, and how investor behaviour has evolved in recent months. It is not just a conversation about technology. It is a conversation about where one of the region's most important industries is heading next. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 The story behind Prop-AI and why it was built 📌 How AI is transforming real estate investing 📌 What is actually happening in the UAE real estate market today 📌 How the market has changed in recent months 📌 The key differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi 📌 What makes the Saudi real estate market unique 📌 How investor behaviour differs between Saudi Arabia and the UAE 📌 Christian's predictions for the remainder of 2026 This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform. Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work. A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. Whether you're an investor, business leader, real estate professional, or simply interested in the future of AI, this episode offers valuable insights into where the market may be heading next. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #PropAI #ArtificialIntelligence #RealEstate #PropTech #DubaiRealEstate #AbuDhabi #SaudiArabia #UAEProperty #Innovation

    46 min

  3. 17 juin

    Season 4 Episode 15: Building a Career That Lasts

    Many professionals want to grow in a corporate environment. Few understand what it actually takes to succeed in one. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Priyanka D'Souza, Vice President of Finance at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she leads FP&A, commercial finance, and strategic reporting across Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With more than 20 years of experience across finance and business transformation, Priyanka shares her perspective on navigating large organisations, building influence, developing leadership skills, and creating long-term career success. Because the reality is, technical skills will only take you so far. The professionals who continue to progress are often the ones who invest in continuous learning, build strong relationships, embrace change, and know how to bring people together. This conversation brings that into focus. From career growth and inclusion to leadership, soft skills, and financial independence, Priyanka shares practical lessons from her own journey through the corporate world. This is not just about climbing the ladder. It is about building a career with purpose, impact, and longevity. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 How to successfully grow and navigate a corporate environment 📌 Why continuous learning is essential in today's workplace 📌 What true inclusion looks like in practice 📌 How leaders create cultures where teams succeed together 📌 The soft skills that can accelerate career growth 📌 Why financial independence matters 📌 What it means to leave a leadership legacy. A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. Whether you're just starting your career or leading teams today, this episode offers practical insights into succeeding in the corporate world. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #AlchemySearch #Alaan #CareerGrowth #Leadership #CorporateLife #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenInFinance #FinanceLeadership #CorporateCareers #FinancialIndependence #FutureOfWork #CareerAdvice

    28 min

  4. 10 juin

    Season 4 Episode 14: What CEOs See Coming Next

    Attracting talent is easy. Retaining talent is the real challenge. In today's market, businesses are competing for the same people, offering similar salaries, similar benefits, and similar opportunities. The difference is no longer who can hire talent. It is who can keep it. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Saad Maniar joins host Conor McHugh to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping businesses today. As CEO of Baker Tilly UAE and a member of Baker Tilly's regional board, Saad shares his perspective on leadership, talent, AI, consulting, and the future of professional services. From talent retention and the growing demand for audit professionals to the rise of risk advisory, business transformation, and AI adoption, this conversation explores what leaders should be paying attention to right now. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 Why retaining talent is becoming harder than attracting it 📌 Why audit remains a strong long-term career path 📌 Opportunities across consulting, advisory, and transformation functions 📌 The growth of risk advisory and business transformation 📌 How AI is reshaping businesses and professional services 📌 Whether organisations are truly embracing AI 📌 How CEOs and senior leaders stay calm when challenges arise A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or planning your next career move, this episode provides valuable insights into what CEOs see coming next. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #TalentRetention #Leadership #CEO #AI #Audit #Consulting #BusinessTransformation #Careers

    30 min

  5. 20 mai

    Season 4 Episode 13: Neuk – Building a Better Relocation Experience

    Relocating employees to the UAE sounds exciting on paper. In reality, the experience can often feel fragmented, overwhelming, and far more complex than expected. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel is joined by Amro Osman and Leila Gaafar to unpack how relocation is evolving and why companies are starting to rethink the employee experience around it. Neuk was built to simplify the relocation journey into the UAE, helping businesses and individuals navigate everything from settling in to building a smoother transition into life and work in the region. This conversation explores what relocation actually looks like behind the scenes and where the traditional process often falls short. Because the reality is, relocation is not just about visas and logistics. It is about people, experience, and creating a smoother transition into a completely new environment. From the thinking behind Neuk’s corporate program to the real stories that validated why it needed to exist, this episode looks at how relocation support is becoming a much bigger part of talent attraction and retention. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 The story behind Neuk and why it was built 📌 What the Neuk corporate program actually offers 📌 The realities of relocating employees into the UAE 📌 Where the relocation experience often breaks down 📌 Real stories that reinforced the need for the platform 📌 What’s next for Neuk and the future of relocation support A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region. Whether you are relocating talent, moving to the UAE yourself, or building teams across borders, this episode offers a grounded perspective on what makes relocation work well. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #Neuk #Relocation #UAEJobs #TalentMobility #UAECareers #BusinessGrowth #MiddleEastCareers

    39 min

  6. 13 mai

    Season 4 Episode 12: The Rise of the Fractional CFO

    Fractional CFOs are becoming one of the most talked about roles in business right now. But many founders still do not fully understand what the role is actually meant to do. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Carl Lewis, a finance leader with more than 25 years of experience across the UAE, spanning multinational businesses, government entities, and complex transformation projects. Carl is also Alchemy Search’s very own Fractional CFO. Together, they unpack what sits behind the rise of fractional finance leadership and why more businesses are starting to move away from the traditional “full-time CFO only” mindset. Because the reality is, many growing businesses do not just need better reporting. They need someone who can identify operational gaps, solve systemic problems, improve decision-making, and build financial discipline as the business scales. This conversation brings that into focus. From stepping into businesses with major accounting and audit risks, to navigating founder mindsets and understanding what makes the role work effectively, this episode gives a practical look at what Fractional CFOs actually do behind the scenes. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 What a Fractional CFO actually does 📌 Why the UAE still views fractional work differently 📌 Why the “assimilation” mindset can limit impact 📌 Solving systemic issues inside growing businesses 📌 Real examples of fixing finance and reporting problems 📌 Signs a business needs more than just an accountant 📌 What working across industries teaches finance leaders A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region. Whether you are a founder, finance professional, or scaling business, this episode offers a grounded perspective on when and why fractional finance leadership matters. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #FractionalCFO #FinanceLeadership #CorporateFinance #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #CFO #FinanceTransformation

    41 min

  7. 6 mai

    Season 4 Episode 11: Value Creation in Transforming Industries

    Not all growth creates value. And in industries under structural pressure, that distinction matters more than ever. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Laura Herbin Milhiet, Group CFO at OSN, one of the Middle East’s leading premium entertainment platforms. With over 20 years of international experience across Europe, the US, Asia, and the Middle East, Laura has been at the centre of navigating transformation in industries that are constantly evolving. This conversation focuses on what value creation actually looks like when business models are shifting, and what it takes to build disciplined, high-performing organisations in that environment. Because the reality is, transformation is not just about strategy. It is about execution, governance, and alignment at the top. From the CEO–CFO partnership to the role of Boards and operating rhythm, this episode brings together the elements that sit behind real performance. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 What shareholder value looks like in industries under pressure 📌 The importance of governance and relevant Boards 📌 What makes an organisation efficient and data-driven 📌 Why the CEO–CFO partnership is critical in transformation 📌 How to build disciplined, high-performance organisations A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region. Whether you are leading transformation or navigating it, this episode offers a grounded perspective on what it takes to create lasting value. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #FinanceLeadership #CFO #CorporateFinance #Leadership #Transformation #ValueCreation

    30 min

  8. 29 avr.

    Season 4 Episode 10: Rethinking Finance Leadership

    Finance leadership is changing. And the expectations are changing with it. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Prasidha Pratap, a CFO with nearly two decades of experience across FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and the cosmetics industry. Together, they explore what leadership looks like in today’s finance environment. Because the reality is, it is no longer just about numbers, control, or reporting. It is about how you lead people, adapt to change, and create impact beyond the function. This conversation brings that into focus. From moving away from traditional “bad cop” leadership styles to building empowered teams, navigating AI, and managing evolving expectations around flexibility and performance. This is not just about finance. It is about leadership in a changing environment. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 Moving away from the “bad cop” mindset to empowering teams 📌 Balancing demanding roles with changing expectations around flexibility 📌 AI and what it means for the future of finance 🤖 📌 The attributes that define strong leaders today 📌 Leading through constant deadlines and pressure This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform. Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work. A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life. We will be back soon with more insights and more voices from across the region. Whether you are leading a team or building towards it, this episode offers a practical perspective on what it takes today. Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #FinanceLeadership #CFO #Leadership #CorporateFinance #CareerGrowth #MiddleEastCareers

    23 min
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À propos

Alchemy Uncensored, a podcast presented by Alchemy Search a team of professional financial and tax recruiters. Our podcast is dedicated to providing valuable insights into the financial and tax sector of the UAE by discussing the challenges and opportunities faced by employers and job seekers. Alchemy Uncensored is the perfect podcast for those looking to gain a competitive edge in the finance, accounting, and tax industry of the UAE.

Informations

  • Création
    Alchemy Search
  • Années d’activité
    2023 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    86
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Alchemy Search
  • Site web de l’émission
    Alchemy Uncensored