The New F*Word (F for Fractional Finance)

Curious about ditching a cushy corporate finance gig for the wild ride of a fractional CFO business? I sat down with Kat Willem-Kent, a trailblazer who traded a top firm for Fractional Finance, growing it from a one-woman show to a seven-strong team with HR disruption in her sights. Over lunch in London, she sparked the idea and mapped it out in a sunny Paddington square. Kat’s story is raw—bold leaps, scaling chaos, and balancing family life, all spiked with energy healing and manifestation.

In this episode, she dishes on recruiting CFOs, managing client demands, and her killer tech stack (Xero, Fathom, Float). Beyond numbers, Kat’s driven by purpose, blending personal growth with big plans. Our conversation is punchy, real, and loaded with insights for entrepreneurs, finance nerds, or anyone hungry for a fresh take on business.

This episode’s a bit different, I’m trying something new by bringing on not one, but two guests — Michael Spyrou and Tim Johnson, co-founders of Axcelera.

I’ve been really curious about how the role of the fractional CFO is evolving, and these two are right at the forefront. Axcelera is a group of CFOs with a fresh approach—combining strategic financial planning with smart tech to help growing businesses thrive.

Michael’s got over 20 years of finance experience across multiple countries and sectors. His focus? Helping SMEs get a grip on their numbers and make confident decisions. Tim’s background is in banking and entrepreneurship—he’s founded multiple businesses and even ran call centres in the Caribbean. Together, they’ve built something pretty special.

In this chat, we get into:

* Why the fractional CFO is so key for scaling businesses

* The importance of delivering insight, not just information

* How tech is transforming the finance function

* What founders really need from their CFO

If you’re running a business or advising one, this is well worth a listen.

Want elite execs without the big bill or long-term lock-in? I sit down with Stephen Halpin, the mind behind Portfolio XD, a team offering fractional C-suite talent—CEOs, CFOs, CMOs—on demand. Frustrated by consultancy roles where sharp strategies just sat unused, Stephen crafted a model that delivers real impact, not just slides. Post-COVID, Portfolio XD took off as SMEs sought flexible, high-calibre leaders to tackle funding rounds or global growth.

Here’s the twist: it’s not just cost-effective—it’s a total rethink. Imagine a UK media firm landing a Toronto CEO or a bioscience startup tapping a Boston CCO, no recruitment hassle. Stephen breaks it down—speed, expertise, no risk for companies, and execs (not just retirees) love the flexibility. He’s upfront about the missteps too, like corporate pros stumbling in fast-moving SMEs. And his take on networks? It’s who you know that sparks the magic. This ain’t fluff—it’s raw, punchy, and might just make you rethink your own game plan.

What’s it take to be a fractional CFO? I’m talking with Elliott Gasper from OxConsult. He’s a hands-on fixer who’s raised millions and scaled companies big-time. Now, he’s shaking up fractional finance.

Elliot shares the three types of fractional CFOs he has identified so far and which bucket he falls under. The industry is still growing and with a lot of noise, business owners still don’t get what fractional CFOs do. But Elliot loves that because it’s a chance to make real impact for businesses.

He also shared how having dyslexia as a kid got him labelled a “terrible employee.” Now? It’s his problem-crushing superpower. He’s also kicked off the Fractional Finance Forum—CFOs sharing battle scars and hacks. Solo gig, but teamwork wins.

As I mentioned, I’m teaming up with Elliott for an upcoming webinar where we’ll be discussing the best finance tech stack for 2025 with industry experts:

📅 Monday 24th March, 3pm (GMT)

👇 Register now to secure your spot and get your finance function future-ready!

https://lu.ma/rng2jp39

In this episode, I am joined by Daniella Wainwright (Wainwright Consulting), an inspiring fractional CFO who left the corporate grind to build a successful consulting business based on authenticity, mindset work, and a balance between business and well-being.

Daniella’s journey is incredible—starting as a trainee accountant at 16, managing multi-million-pound businesses, and eventually shifting to fractional finance work. We talk about her growth, the power of networking, and key lessons she’s learned about marketing and personal branding, especially on LinkedIn.

What really stood out to me was her focus on health and balance in a demanding industry. Daniella also shares how she built a collective of fractional CFOs, offering candid insights into the challenges and rewards of growing a service-based business.

This conversation left me feeling inspired, and I think it’ll do the same for you.

In this episode, I sat down with Rachel Marshall, founder of Magic Digits, an accounting firm for creative industries. Rachel’s story really resonated with me—she built her business from the ground up during the chaos of the pandemic, balancing career growth and family life.

Rachel shared what it takes to scale a business, the challenges she faced, and how she went from being a one-woman show to building a team. She also gave us a peek into the details of business growth, from managing hiring and cash flow to creating a remote team that fits her lifestyle.

Having transitioned from freelance to running her own company, I found Rachel’s lessons incredibly insightful—especially when it comes to making tough decisions, managing expectations, maintaining client relationships, and adapting as your business evolves.

How can the right financial expertise accelerate growth for startups and scale-ups, without the hefty price tag of a full-time CFO? In this episode, Colin speaks with Stephen from Growth CFO about the fractional finance revolution. With experience both on the investor side and as a CEO, Stephen shares why fractional CFOs are a game changer for small and mid-sized businesses.

Stephen highlights the importance of seasoned financial leadership, particularly during crucial growth stages, and how a fractional CFO provides not only operational oversight but strategic advice. Stephen discusses how businesses benefit from having experts who’ve ‘been there, done that’, and offers insights into building strong investor relationships and improving cash flow management.

You’ll also hear about the challenges in the funding landscape, how fractional CFOs can help navigate tricky financial waters, and why embracing financial transparency early can set you up for long-term success.

How can fractional CFOs change the way startups and scale-ups approach growth and financial strategy? In this episode, Matthew Powell, a seasoned fractional CFO, shares his journey from corporate finance at EY to running his own successful consultancy. Matthew discusses the significant advantages of bringing in a fractional CFO early on in a business’s life cycle, especially when it comes to fundraising, forecasting, and strategic planning.

With years of experience in managing financial teams, Matthew explores the crucial role of finance leaders in startups, explaining how a well-structured finance function can be the linchpin for long-term success. He delves into the importance of establishing sound financial systems and processes, particularly in fast-growing companies, and why early-stage businesses can’t afford to ignore solid financial advice.

Matthew also reflects on his time building Fluro, a peer-to-peer lending platform, and how he navigated challenges around scaling and fundraising. From tackling compliance hurdles to pivoting business models, his insights on financing, operational strategies, and cash flow management are invaluable for any growing business.

What drives someone to transition from a stable corporate career to launching a fractional CFO practice? In this episode of The New F* Word podcast, we speak with Elisabeth Sabin, a newly minted fractional CFO, about her transformative journey into the world of fractional finance. Elisabeth shares the motivations behind her decision to leave corporate finance for a more flexible and fulfilling career, one that allows her to balance professional ambition with family time and a passion for helping small businesses thrive.

We dive into the challenges Elisabeth faced as she transitioned to self-marketing and client acquisition in the fractional CFO space, discussing how long-term vision and a solid foundation are key to overcoming short-term uncertainty. We explore the evolving role of CFOs in business and how Elisabeth’s approach focuses on strategic financial guidance rather than just number crunching.

Elisabeth also shares her passion for working with impact-driven businesses, where financial success aligns with social impact. We discuss the psychology behind financial decision-making, the importance of trust and emotional intelligence, and how Elisabeth plans to scale her practice sustainably while staying true to her values.

How can fractional finance leadership transform small businesses, and why is the role of a fractional CFO so vital? In this episode of The New F* Word podcast, I speak with Nikole Mackenzie founder of Momentum Accounting, as we explore how outsourced financial services are reshaping the way small businesses manage their finances.

Nikole shares her journey from traditional public accounting to launching Momentum Accounting in 2017, a company that helps businesses with revenue ranging from $1 to $10 million streamline their financial operations. We discuss the many reasons business owners turn to fractional CFO services, often out of frustration or urgent need, and how Nikole uses educational content to build trust and showcase the value her services provide.

We also dive into the tools and strategies that have helped Nikole grow her business, such as her innovative cash potential calculator, and how she effectively uses marketing and branding to position Momentum Accounting as a leader in the fractional finance space. Nikole’s insights into managing a growing team and her vision for the future highlight how fractional finance can unlock growth and financial clarity for small businesses.