CFO 4.0 Podcast

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In the second instalment of our CFO 4.0 Revisited series, we return to a conversation that first aired as the twentieth episode of the podcast. Hannah Munro sits down with Patrick Dunne, now an experienced chair and influential voice across business and social enterprise, to explore what boards truly expect from a modern CFO.

This episode offers a clear, direct view of boardroom dynamics and the realities of senior leadership. Patrick sets out what a strong board and CFO relationship looks like, the qualities that boards value most, and where new finance leaders often fall short. He also tackles the balance of the CEO and CFO partnership, how trust is built or lost, and whether a strained relationship can ever be repaired.

Key themes include

• The hallmarks of an effective board and CFO relationship
 • What boards genuinely want from their CFO
 • How to make a strong start with your board
 • The role and boundaries of the CEO and CFO partnership
 • Whether damaged senior relationships can be rebuilt
 • Practical guidance for new CFOs looking to set the right tone

Links mentioned

• Contact Patrick on LinkedIn 

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this special live episode, recorded at the ACCA Finance Futures Conference, Hannah Munro joins Alex Falcon Huerta (ACCA) to cut through the hype and explore what it really takes to choose and implement the right finance technology.

From agility in software selection to preparing for the rise of AI, they share stories, frameworks, and practical advice to help finance leaders stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode, Hannah and Alex discuss

• Why agility is key when selecting and assessing finance software
• How to rethink ROI beyond time and cost, and measure real business value
• The dangers of traditional RFPs and how to adopt a more flexible, iterative approach
• Understanding the technology lifecycle from bleeding edge to rusting edge
• How to future-proof your finance team with the right AI readiness and mindset
• Managing resistance to change and building momentum for digital transformation

Links Mentioned:

• Hannah's Linkedin 
• Alex's Linkedin 
• Learn more about ACCA

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

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In this insightful Financial Transformation Live session, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas Solutions, challenges the traditional approach to purchasing new technology solutions. Rather than focusing solely on procurement checklists and feature comparisons, Hannah encourages finance leaders to rethink how they approach technology selection — shifting from “shopping” to “transforming.”

Drawing on her consultancy experience, she explores how organisations can accelerate time to value, engage suppliers more effectively, and turn the buying process itself into the first step of transformation.

💡 In this episode, Hannah covers:

• Why the traditional RFP (Request for Proposal) approach often fails to deliver transformational outcomes
• How to design a consultative selection cycle that prioritises outcomes over features
• The importance of sharing problem statements, goals, and process maps with suppliers to drive better recommendations
• How to educate and engage potential partners to uncover innovation and align with your business challenges
• Methods to evaluate technology solutions based on process efficiency, control, ROI, and real-world use cases
• Practical steps to ensure suppliers start learning about your organisation before implementation — accelerating time to value

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Previous session: Transformation Troubleshooter
• Connect with Hannah Munro
• Explore more Finance Transformation Live sessions
• Which Sage Product is Right For You Quiz!
• Learn more about Sage Intacct 
• Customer Success Stories
• Pre Purchase Consultancy
• Book a discovery call 

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

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks with Daniel Healey, Group FD at Direct Heating Group, about building a finance function that never stands still.

Also covered in this episode:

• From manual processes to a fully automated, scalable finance team
• How to prioritise automation projects and prove ROI to stakeholders
• Overcoming resistance and redefining finance’s value beyond transactions
• Using automation to free capacity for strategic, value-add work
•  Why continuous improvement beats perfection in transformation
• Daniel’s practical tips for starting small and scaling smart with automation

Links mentioned:

• Daniel's Linkedin
• Learn more about Direct Stoves
• Learn more about Flue & Ducting 
• Learn more about Direct Fireplaces

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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We’re rewinding to where it all began. In the very first episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro sat down with digital transformation expert Phil Raynor (now Lead Delivery Manager at the UK Home Office) to unpack what makes or breaks a transformation programme — and how finance leaders can navigate change with confidence.

In this CFO 4.0 Revisited edition, we revisit the timeless lessons that still shape transformation success today. From planning and communication to leadership and culture, this conversation remains as relevant as ever for modern CFOs leading digital change.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The key differences between projects and programmes — and why that distinction matters
• What defines a truly successful digital transformation
• The most common causes of failure and how to prevent them
• The CFO’s critical role in managing expectations and driving alignment
• How to plan, communicate, and secure stakeholder buy-in for change
• Why “slowing down to speed up” is the secret to long-term success

Links mentioned:

• Phil's Linkedin 
• Contact Phil directly: [email protected]

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

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Host Hannah Munro sits down with Kevin Appleby, host of the Grow CFO Show, to share hard-won lessons from finance transformation projects. From failed demos to faster closes, they explore how CFOs can avoid common pitfalls and deliver real value.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to approach system selection with scenarios and use cases, not just feature lists.
• Why keeping solutions simple and phased prevents failure points.
• The importance of engaging naysayers and building super users for adoption.
• Why benefits come from people and process changes, not just technology.
• Practical lessons for faster month-end closes and smarter procurement processes.
• How CFOs can communicate with boards, influence decisions, and choose the right timing for go-live.

Links mentioned: 

• Kevin's Linkedin 
• Learn more about GrowCFO 
• Join the Grow CFO community 
• Discover more with Anchor Customer Story 

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

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In this episode of Financial Transformation Live, Hannah Munro and Neil Lynchehaun tackle real-world transformation challenges submitted by finance leaders. Together, they share practical advice, frameworks, and lessons learned from years of hands-on transformation and consulting experience.

💡 Topics covered in this session include:

• Rethinking requirements gathering – moving away from 1,000-line requirement lists and focusing on outcomes, use cases, and best practices instead of replicating
• System selection approaches – how to frame your needs, engage vendors effectively, and avoid box-ticking RFP traps.
• Data migration dilemmas – when to clean data before Go Live, strategies for managing messy supplier and transactional records, and the risks of “garbage in, garbage out.”
• Simplify before you automate – why tackling root causes and streamlining processes is often more valuable than layering automation on top of inefficiency.
• Dealing with change fatigue – overcoming eye-rolling resistance to yet another project by contextualising benefits for teams, linking change to day-to-day roles, and building compelling outcomes.
• Practical controls and safeguards – validation techniques, duplicate supplier detection, and post-implementation clean-up strategies.

Links mentioned:

• Previous session: Planning a Successful Project
• Connect with Hannah Munro
• Connect with Neil Lynchehaun
• Explore more Finance Transformation Live sessions
• Which Sage Product is Right For You Quiz!
• Learn more about Sage Intacct 
• Customer Success Stories
• Book a discovery call 

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

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, host Hannah Munro sits down with Charlotte Crowley, CFO at Altano, to explore her journey through finance leadership, acquisitions, and the challenges of integrating companies without losing their culture.

Charlotte shares her unique career path — from starting in advertising and PR to working in boutique firms, McKinsey, and private equity-backed businesses — and reflects on what she’s learned along the way.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Charlotte’s journey from economics graduate to CFO at Altano
• How to balance startup agility with professionalising finance processes
• First-hand lessons from acquisitions, private equity, and integration
• The pressures of due diligence — and how to prepare for them
• Why people, trust, and communication matter more than just the numbers
• Charlotte’s top advice for new and aspiring CFOs

Links mentioned: 

• Charlotte's Linkedin 
• Learn more about Altano

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

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In this special solo episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, host Hannah Munro takes on a personal challenge what she would do with 90 days to transform finance. Drawing on her experience working with finance teams, Hannah breaks the journey into three clear phases: stabilisation, automation and efficiency, and forward looking acceleration.

You’ll discover practical, actionable steps you can apply in your own finance function, including

• How to stabilise core processes in the first 30 days, including bank reconciliations, AR, AP, cash collection, reporting structures, and balance sheet checks
• Why automation and efficiency in the next 30 days should focus on AP automation, AR solutions, payment processes, chart of accounts redesign, and month end optimisation
• How to approach the final 30 days with a forward looking mindset, including forecasting, budgets, dashboards, and integrating wider business data
• The importance of KPIs for measuring effectiveness across AR, AP, bank rec, and reporting
• How to set realistic timelines for transformation without overwhelming your team
• Why process mapping, controls, and risk management are essential foundations before scaling

Links Mentioned:

• Hannah's Linkedin

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

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by returning guest Susana Serrano-Davey, seasoned finance leader and leadership mentor, to explore the people side of change. Together, they discuss how leaders can support teams through uncertainty and build a culture of resilience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why honesty and transparency are critical in times of change.
• How to help individuals find motivation and opportunity in transformation.
• The importance of authentic leadership and believing in the change yourself.
• Practical strategies for supporting overwhelmed team members.
• How giving people both choice and voice improves engagement.
• Tips for effective communication, from quick stand-ups to celebrating progress.

Links mentioned: 

• Susana's Linkedin
• Discover Susana's work here

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