The CFO Playbook

Soldo
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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.

  1. Reflecting on progressive finance with Sacha Herrmann'

    6日前

    Reflecting on progressive finance with Sacha Herrmann'

    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.

    33 分鐘
  2. How to Scale Without Slowing Down: Lessons from Motorway CFO Liz Kistruck

    27/11/2025

    How to Scale Without Slowing Down: Lessons from Motorway CFO Liz Kistruck

    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.

    42 分鐘
  3. From Fighter Jets to Forecasts: Planning the Future with Anaplan CFO Hemant Kapadia

    30/10/2025

    From Fighter Jets to Forecasts: Planning the Future with Anaplan CFO Hemant Kapadia

    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.

    48 分鐘
  4. Skating on Thin Ice: Finance, Pharma and AI with Riccardo Calliano

    25/09/2025

    Skating on Thin Ice: Finance, Pharma and AI with Riccardo Calliano

    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.”

    42 分鐘
  5. Full Steam Ahead: Driving Change in Finance with Funto Agbeniga

    28/08/2025

    Full Steam Ahead: Driving Change in Finance with Funto Agbeniga

    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.

    49 分鐘
  6. From Finance to Focus: Building a Product-Led Culture at Yoto with CFO Ben Averis

    31/07/2025

    From Finance to Focus: Building a Product-Led Culture at Yoto with CFO Ben Averis

    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.

    50 分鐘
  7. FinOps and Beyond: The Hybrid Role of a CFO-COO with Charlie Hunt

    26/06/2025

    FinOps and Beyond: The Hybrid Role of a CFO-COO with Charlie Hunt

    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

    41 分鐘
  8. Europe's Role in the Global Tech Arena, a CFO’s View with Accel’s Ben Dooley

    29/05/2025

    Europe's Role in the Global Tech Arena, a CFO’s View with Accel’s Ben Dooley

    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.

    36 分鐘
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關於

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.

資料

  • 創作者
    Soldo
  • 活躍年份
    2021年 - 2025年
  • 單集
    100
  • 分級
    兒童適宜
  • 版權
    © 2024 Soldo
  • 節目網站
    The CFO Playbook

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