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In this special highlights episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro reflects on the most impactful conversations of 2025, bringing together lessons from CFOs, transformation leaders, and futurists. Drawing on insights from across the year, this episode explores what finance leaders have really learned as the role continues to evolve under pressure from growth, technology, and rising expectations.

In this episode, we reflect on

• Why finance transformation fails when it is treated as a separate role rather than a day-to-day mindset
• How CFOs are learning to make faster, better decisions without waiting for perfect data
• What the explosive adoption of AI, including ChatGPT, signals for finance teams and leadership expectations
• The practical warning signs that data integrity and control environments are no longer fit for growth
• How CFOs can professionalise fast-growing businesses without killing the agility that made them successful
• The realities of growth versus profit in private equity-backed organisations and what investors actually expect

This episode features highlights and perspectives from 

• 240. AI in Finance: Complex Workflows to Scalable AI Solutions with Tariq Munir
• 218. AI in Finance | From Generative AI to Reinforcement Learning with Peter Morgan
• 234. The CFO as a Storyteller: Making KPIs Count with Matt Topham
• 227. AI in Finance: Preparing for the AI Revolution: Abundance or Catastrophe? with David Wood
• 235. First 100 Days as a CFO: Mastering the 60–90 Day Window as a CFO with Jeremy Earnshaw
• 244. CFO Stories: Acquisitions, Due Diligence & Building Trust with Charlotte Crowley
• 243. The 90-Day Finance Transformation Playbook with Hannah Munro
• 232. The Private Equity CFO: Myths, Mistakes & Misconceptions with Richard Sanders

and offers a clear-eyed view of where finance leadership is heading next.

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In this episode, Hannah Munro sits down with Omar Choucair, CFO at Trintech, for a forthright look at life inside private equity. Omar offers a clear view of what the role truly demands and why it isn’t for the faint hearted. He discusses the expanded remit of today’s CFO, the operational intensity of PE-backed firms and the importance of pace, people and process when value creation is the end goal.

The conversation covers

•  The sharp contrasts between public company and private equity expectations
• What a PE-ready finance team looks like and why curiosity, stamina and tight-knit business partnerships matter more than ever 
•  How to build trust across the business and move finance from scorekeeper to genuine strategic partner 
• The realities of scaling fast the role of technology, automation and a modern ERP in enabling profitable growth  
• What new and aspiring PE CFOs need to know from managing the CEO relationship to anticipating board demands

Links mentioned

• Omar's Linkedin
• Learn more about Trintech

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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, recorded in partnership with ACCA, Hannah Munro is joined by Nicolas Raynaud FCCA, CFO at the Science Museum Group. Nicolas shares a frank and practical view of what it really takes to settle into a new CFO role and why those early months demand clarity, curiosity and steady judgement.

In this episode, Nicolas covers

•  Why the first 100 days start with understanding the organisation you’re joining, not diving into delivery
•  How to diagnose whether you’re entering a growth phase, a turnaround or a realignment
•  The importance of preparing before day one and validating the brief you were given
•  How to balance early stakeholder engagement with the pressure to act
•  What to do when your findings don’t match expectations, and how to handle difficult course correction
•  Why staying open minded, curious and willing to learn will set the tone for long term success

Links mentioned

• Nicolas' Linkedin 
• Learn more about the Science Museum Group

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In this in-person conversation, Hannah Munro sits down with Matthew Robinson, Financial Controller at Zebra Pens, to explore the realities of running and transforming finance inside a small but ambitious business. 

This episode covers

• Why small-business finance needs pragmatism, balance and the courage to let go of total control 
• How Matt rebuilt finance around risk-based thinking, strong foundations and the ability to switch off at the end of the day 
• The hard lessons of a difficult first implementation 
• How Zebra Pens is moving towards 21st-century operations with integrated systems

Links mentioned

• Matthew's Linkedin
• Learn more about Zebra Pens
• Zebra Pens Customer Story Coming Soon!

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In this Transformation Troubleshooter episode, Hannah Munro and Neil Lynchehaun tackle two real scenarios sent in by finance and operational leaders wrestling with change. They cut through the noise and give practical, experience-led guidance on managing competing priorities, handling resistance and keeping transformation efforts on track.

What the episode covers

•  Why misaligned leadership priorities derail projects
•  How to define ROI early so cost concerns don’t dominate later
•  Ways to balance the natural tension between speed, control and risk
•  How to use stakeholder management, individual conversations and senior sponsorship to regain direction
•  What to do when a team member becomes disruptive during implementation and how to reset the room
•  Practical facilitation tools

Links Mentioned

• Previous session: Stop Shopping, Start Transforming 
• 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 

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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 

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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

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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 

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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

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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]

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