CFO 4.0 Podcast

In this episode of CFO Stories, Hannah is joined by Sophia Levell FCCA, CFO of Access Fertility and one of the youngest CFOs in the UK. Sophia shares the fast-tracked path that got her there and what she's learned since.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why she dropped out of college to start her ACCA journey early
• The mentor-shaped transition from finance operator to strategic CFO
• Hiring for complementary skills, not personality
• Building trust with the C-suite through constant, unfiltered communication
• Sophia's advice for anyone stepping into their first CFO role

Links mentioned

• Sophia's Linkedin
• Learn more about Access Fertility
• Learn more about ACCA
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

In this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, host Hannah Munro is joined by returning guest Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group, to explore how CFOs can build the right team around them from smart delegation to bringing in a fractional "CFO's CFO" for M&A, systems work, or steady-ship support.

In this episode:

• Why delegation should focus on outcomes, not tasks
• How to build a team that plays to individual strengths
• What to do when a delegated task goes wrong
• The emerging "CFO's CFO" model and when to use it
• Ground rules for successful peer-level fractional partnerships
• Why the future of executive work is a team sport, not a solo act

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Sara's Linkedin
• Learn more about the CFO centre
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro is joined by Clive Webb, Head of Business Management at ACCA, to discuss ACCA's report Career Paths Reimagined exploring how careers in finance are being reshaped by AI, demographics, and shifting expectations of work, and what CFOs need to do now to prepare their teams for the future.

In this episode, they cover:

• The eight key drivers reshaping careers in accountancy and finance
• Why the UK's ageing population and declining birth rate mean we'll all need to work longer
• How AI and automation are shifting organisations from a "pyramid" to a "diamond" structure
• Why curiosity is the standout skill for the human-machine era
• The balance of technical skills vs soft skills
• Practical advice for CFOs on developing talent pipelines and rethinking assumptions

Links mentioned:

• Clive’s Linkedin
• Learn more about ACCA
• Career Paths Reimagined report
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

In this episode of CFO 4.0 Revisited, we're looking back at episode 134, where Hannah Munro was joined by Ilana Esterrich, then CFO at Planned Parenthood, now CFO & Strategic Advisor for a rich conversation on sustainable transformational leadership.

Ilana shares her wealth of knowledge and experience in driving successful organisational transformations, highlighting the critical role change management plays in achieving lasting results.

In this episode, we cover:

• The significance of people skills in driving successful change
• How to communicate the "why" effectively and align it with individual motivations
• Creating a sense of one team and fostering a culture that's open to change
• Why reducing non-value-adding activities in finance processes matters

In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Monro sits down with John Lees career strategist, coach, and author to unpack the real work behind a successful CFO transition.

John shares why your first 100 days actually begin long before day one, how to balance appearing confident with genuine curiosity, and the art of "checking in" with peers, stakeholders, and even the person on the security desk. He also digs into the people dynamics that make or break a new role: spotting enablers, navigating blockers, understanding personality at the top, and building trust across the C-suite fast.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The three biggest mistakes new CFOs make in their first 90 days
• How to practise "informed curiosity" to build credibility from day one
• Why due diligence on culture and people matters more than technical skills
• How to navigate difficult early conversations when the numbers don't add up
• The check-in framework for 30, 60, and 90 days and why it matters

Links mentioned in this episode

• John's Linkedin
• Learn more about John Lee's Associates
• John's Book "Get Ahead in Your New Job"
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

Financial decisions are rarely as rational as we think. In this episode, Hannah Munro is joined by Lesley Thomas, Founder of the Money Confidence Academy, to explore the hidden psychology driving the choices CFOs and finance leaders make every day.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why financial decisions are driven more by emotion than data
• The role your childhood relationship with money plays in your leadership style today
• How to separate personal identity from the decisions your role demands you make
• Why avoiding difficult conversations creates a "hidden tax" on your organisation's performance
• How to overcome decision paralysis and know when you have enough information to act
• The importance of building a culture where your team feels safe to share ideas and concerns
• Lesley's Five R's framework for making clearer, faster, and more confident decisions

Links mentioned

• Lesley's Linkedin
• Learn more about The Money Confidence Academy
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

CFO 4.0 is back! In this unmissable relaunch episode, Hannah Munro sits down with Tomas Hollington, Director of Technology at BW Workplace Experts, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead change in a fast-growing, technology-driven business — and trust us, it's not what you'd expect.

What’s covered in this episode

•  Why culture and trust are the real foundations of successful change 
•  How to manage the pace of innovation without overwhelming the business 
•  Practical ways to prioritise ideas and avoid “change for the sake of change” 
•  The role of leadership programmes in driving behavioural and cultural shifts 
•  How to turn sceptics into your most valuable allies in transformation 
•  Why technology success depends more on people than the tools themselves

Links mentioned in this episode

• Tomas' Linkedin
• Learn more about BW Workplace Experts
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

When we first released this conversation, it was our 100th episode, a milestone that felt worth marking with something special. Now, 174 episodes later, it's clear why this one deserved a revisit.

Host Hannah Munro is joined by Glenn Hopper, Author of Deep Finance and now Managing Director at VAi Consulting for a discussion that's only grown more relevant with time. With over 15 years of experience in the CFO seat, Glenn brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it really means to build a data-driven finance function, whether you're leading a startup or a global enterprise.

In this episode, they explore:

• The different levels of data maturity within an organisation — and how to honestly assess where yours sits
• How finance teams can evolve into finance scientists, moving from reporting the past to shaping the future
• Why real-time data has become a non-negotiable for modern finance leaders
• The practical steps to becoming a truly data-driven organisation

This week on the CFO 4.0 Revisited series, host Hannah Munro is joined by Isaac Strulowitz, Alternative Investments CFO, who offers his unique perspective on risk management, providing valuable insights into how CFOs can protect their firms against unforeseen challenges, a conversation that remains as timely and essential as ever.

In this episode, we cover:

• Isaac's first-hand account of navigating the SVB collapse and the proactive steps his team took to protect investor capital.
• Risk management strategies that have proven effective, such as creating redundancies, maintaining a robust disaster recovery plan, and evaluating all firm relationships for potential risks.
• The delicate balance a successful CFO must strike between budget management, operational duties, and strategic oversight.
• Isaac's concept of a "cockroach" company, one built to survive and continue functioning even after major crises.

Links mentioned in this episode

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughts

Originally released as episode 144 of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, this episode is part of our CFO 4.0 Revisited series — bringing back some of our most valuable conversations for a new listen.

Hannah Munro is joined by Sylvia Ionita, Finance Executive at LFG Solutions LLC, who at the time of recording was CFO at waterdrop. With hands-on experience scaling start-ups, Sylvia brings sharp, practical wisdom on what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up — the highs, the hard lessons, and everything in between.

In this episode, we cover:

• How presenting real numbers and financial data at all levels drives awareness and accountability across the team
• Sylvia's approach to leadership meetings, mentoring, and building genuine personal connections
• Implementation measures to enhance profitability and maintain control during periods of rapid growth
• How to discern which problems demand immediate action and which call for a longer-term strategic response
• The importance of internal mentorship and fostering a culture of personal development
• Sylvia's top tips for finance professionals stepping into the start-up world for the first time

Links mentioned:

• Sylvia’s LinkedIn

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!