CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance 239. PE Backed: The CFO’s Balancing Act Between Growth and Governance with Ian Pugh
Aug 12, 2025
Ian Pugh, CFO at Precise TV, shares his insights on the role of finance in private equity. He discusses the significance of building trust with investors and effectively managing crises. Ian reflects on lessons learned from a serious fraud incident and how to create engaging board presentations that cater to diverse stakeholders. He highlights the delicate balance between governance and growth, emphasizing the need for effective communication during business transitions and the essential role of CFOs in fostering a supportive team culture.
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PE CFOs Need Breadth And Agility
- Private equity CFOs must be generalists who combine technical accounting with hands-on business support.
- You must be comfortable managing unknown problems and cross-functional issues that default to finance.
Lead With Bad News And A Plan
- Tell investors bad news immediately and explain what you are doing about it.
- Propose options and invite their input so they feel involved, not surprised.
Handling A Sophisticated Bank Fraud
- Ian managed a sophisticated email-hijack bank fraud where a decent sum left the business.
- He told the board straight away, explained how it happened and what actions were taken to recover funds.