UK Sectors

ACCA

ACCA’s Sectors and Communities team brings you conversations with members from across the profession, exploring career journeys, trends, and insights shaping finance today.

Episodes

  1. At the 4Front: Lessons in longevity with Fran Simpson FCCA

    24 FEB

    At the 4Front: Lessons in longevity with Fran Simpson FCCA

    In this episode, we’re joined by Fran Simpson, who reflects on a 27-year career built on resilience, relationships and a willingness to say yes.   Fran shares how all she ever wanted was to be a “businesswoman” - earning her own money and making her own way in life, and how the variety of experiences throughout her career have shaped the leader she is today. She speaks openly about the power of long-term relationships, the value of networking within one firm, and how strong leadership and investment from others played a pivotal role in her success.   Fran challenges the idea of imposter syndrome, reframing it instead as simply facing experiences you haven’t had yet, and embracing the stretch that comes from being pushed beyond what you thought were your capabilities.   Drawing inspiration from the book 'Tiny Experiments', she shares how small, intentional changes transformed her productivity and leadership effectiveness. We also discuss the importance of honest feedback, how a culture of high support and high challenge has shaped her development, and why the hardest feedback to hear is often the most valuable for growth.   Fran reflects on leading through significant change - from hybrid working and evolving audit regulation to building offshore models, and why communication has never been more critical. She also shares candid thoughts on wellbeing, the blurred lines created by technology, and how younger generations increasingly value the journey and experience over traditional end goals.   Visit our ACCA Big 4 and Mid-Tier Hub for helpful resources, articles and tools to support your career journey.

    20 min
  2. Inside BFSI: Forging your own path with Becky Glover

    29 JAN

    Inside BFSI: Forging your own path with Becky Glover

    Welcome to Inside BFSI: voices from across the financial services sector. The series that showcases the stories of professionals shaping the future of banking, financial services, and insurance. In this episode, we sit down with Becky Glover, CFO at Mazuma, to explore her unconventional journey into the finance profession. From starting out as a 17 year old apprentice to becoming a finance leader, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women in leadership, Becky shares how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to create her own opportunities have shaped her career. We dive into the evolving role of technology in finance, the importance of continuous learning, and why the sector must innovate to attract and retain the next generation of talent. Resources and links If you enjoyed this episode: • Subscribe to the series for more insights from across financial services • Join the FS Community on LinkedIn • Explore the ACCA FS Hub for resources, events, and opportunities to stay ahead • Becky Glover on LinkedIn • Laura Reay on LinkedIn About the Guest Becky Glover FCCA serves as Chief Financial Officer at Mazuma and is a multi-award-winning qualified ACCA professional. Her career spans roles across biotech, software, and insurance, giving her broad experience in fast moving, tech driven environments. Over the past decade, she has focused on supporting business growth by harnessing data to inform strategic decisions.

    27 min

About

ACCA’s Sectors and Communities team brings you conversations with members from across the profession, exploring career journeys, trends, and insights shaping finance today.