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. 6d ago

    Season 4 Episode 19: Beyond the Comfort Zone | Building a Career in Finance

    Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line to be successful. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Elaine Vasquez, Finance Director, MENA at Checkout.com, to discuss what can happen when you stay open to opportunities, embrace change and step outside your comfort zone. Elaine is an ACCA Fellow with almost 20 years of experience in finance. After graduating from Warwick University with a degree in Accounting & Finance, she began her career at Deloitte before going on to build an international career spanning Financial Services, Hospitality, Insurance and Fintech across London, Gibraltar and the UAE. But Elaine’s career hasn’t always followed the traditional finance route. From moving between industries to taking on commercial and operational responsibilities, including a role as Head of Claims in Insurance, Elaine has consistently embraced opportunities that have taken her beyond the boundaries of a typical finance career. And each experience has shaped the finance leader she is today. This conversation explores what it takes to build a career without being restricted by one industry, one location or one idea of what your next role should look like. What you will hear in this episode: 📌 How taking opportunities beyond finance can shape your leadership journey 📌 Why changing industries doesn’t have to mean starting again 📌 The personal and professional impact of working internationally 📌 How to create opportunities for yourself rather than waiting for them 📌 The role resilience has played throughout Elaine’s career 📌 Why stepping outside your comfort zone can accelerate your development 📌 Advice for professionals who feel stuck or hesitant about their next move 📌 Elaine’s perspective on success, leadership and the advice she hopes people remember 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 considering a new industry, an international move, a role outside your usual remit, or simply wondering what the next stage of your career could look like, this episode is a reminder that some of the best opportunities can come from being willing to take a different path. 🎧 Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday. #AlchemyUncensored #AlchemySearch #Alaan #FinanceCareers #FinanceLeadership #CareerGrowth #Leadership #Fintech #FinanceProfessionals #CareerDevelopment

  2. Jul 8

    Season 4 Episode 18: UAE Hiring Update | What's Changed?

    The UAE hiring market changed almost overnight.In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by two of our interns, Cillian Farrell and Rushil Magdani, for an honest conversation about what has happened across the UAE recruitment market in the weeks following the regional conflict.Instead of interviewing one of our usual guests, Conor answers the questions many employers, job seekers, and young professionals are asking right now.Together, they explore how the market has responded, why hiring dynamics have shifted, and what both businesses and candidates should expect as confidence gradually returns.Because the reality is, periods of uncertainty don't just affect businesses.They influence hiring decisions, candidate confidence, salary expectations, and the way employers compete for talent.This conversation brings those changes into focus, offering practical advice for both employers and job seekers as the market continues to evolve through the rest of 2026.This is not just a market update.It is an honest discussion about how one of the region's biggest events has reshaped hiring across the UAE.What you will hear in this episode:📌 How the regional conflict impacted the UAE hiring market📌 Why candidate and employer behaviour has changed📌 The biggest hiring mistakes businesses should avoid📌 What job seekers should expect in today's market📌 Advice for employers and candidates for the rest of 2026📌 Conor's outlook on where the market is heading nextThis 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 hiring, looking for your next opportunity, or simply interested in understanding how the UAE recruitment market is evolving, this episode offers practical insights into what has changed and what comes next.Listen to Alchemy Uncensored.New episodes every Wednesday.#AlchemyUncensored #UAEHiring #Recruitment #UAEJobs #TalentAcquisition #EmployerBrand #HiringStrategy #AlchemySearch #Alaan #middleeastcareer #middleeastcrisis #middleast #uaenews #marketupdate

  3. Jul 1

    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

  4. Jun 24

    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

  5. Jun 17

    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

  6. Jun 10

    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

  7. May 20

    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

  8. May 13

    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

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Alchemy Search
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alchemy Search
  • Show Website
    Alchemy Uncensored