CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance

Send us your thoughtsIn this special Financial Transformation Live episode, Hannah Munro sets out a clear, practical agenda for finance leaders who want 2026 to be the year transformation actually happens.This session deliberately moves away from technology hype and focuses on the fundamentals that enable progress. Hannah makes the case that 2026 must be a people and process year, not a rushed race to automate. As the pace of change accelerates and AI becomes part of everyday working life, finance teams need the capacity, skills and foundations to respond, rather than react.In this episode, Hannah coversWhy 2026 must be a people and process year, not a rushed race to automateHow to create real capacity in finance teams to drive change, not just survive month endThe risk of automating broken processes and why simplicity is the foundation of speedMoving finance from hindsight to foresight through faster closes and in-month reportingUsing the right technology for the problem, and why AI is not always the answerBuilding resilient, well-rounded finance teams that can adapt as the pace of change accelerates Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this third episode of the CFO 4.0 Revisited series, Hannah Munro is joined by Howard Tunnicliffe, now FP&A Director at Busuu, to revisit a conversation that remains highly relevant for modern finance leaders.Originally recorded when Howard was Head of Finance Subscriptions at The Economist, this episode tackles a topic that still separates good finance teams from great ones: soft skills. As finance continues to move beyond pure technical delivery, Howard shares practical insight into why behaviours, communication and judgement matter just as much as numbers.In this episode, you’ll hear:Howard’s career journey and lessons learned across global, matrixed organisationsWhy soft skills are critical for finance professionals looking to progress into leadershipHow to assess the strengths and gaps within your finance teamThe risks of ignoring soft skills in high-performing finance functionsWhich soft skills matter most in FP&A and senior finance rolesPractical ways to develop these skills across your finance team Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughts In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro is joined by Etinosa Agbonlahor, CEO of Decision Alpha, to break down why pricing causes so much anxiety and how finance leaders can take control of it in a structured, evidence-based way.Together, they explore how behavioural economics, customer insight, and disciplined iteration can turn pricing from a reactive afterthought into a strategic advantage.In this episode, they coverWhy pricing is the keystone of the business and what goes wrong when it is ignoredThe warning signs that your pricing strategy is misaligned with valueCommon pricing mistakes, including over-reliance on competitorsHow to research willingness to pay using both qualitative and quantitative methodsApplying behavioural economics to frame prices, guide choices, and improve conversionWhy pricing should be reviewed and refined regularly, not set and forgottenLinks mentioned:Etinosa's Linkedin Learn more about Decision Alpha  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsAs a follow-up to their Financial Transformation Live discussions, Hannah Munro is joined by Neil Lynchehaun, Transformation and Delivery Manager at itas, to launch The Readiness Challenge series.In part one, they take an honest look at what project readiness really means and why so many finance transformations struggle before they even begin. Drawing on real delivery experience, this episode focuses on the most common and underestimated blocker to success team capacity and capability. This episode covers: What project readiness really means before starting a finance transformationWhy team capacity is the number one cause of delays and failed projectsHow to assess whether your finance team genuinely has the availability to deliver changePractical ways to create capacity without defaulting to hiring more peopleThe importance of having the right mix of skills influence and experience in project teamsHow to reduce delivery risk through backfilling strategy retention planning and phased deliveryLinks mentioned:Connect with Hannah MunroConnect with Neil LynchehaunExplore more Finance Transformation Live sessionsCustomer Success StoriesBook a discovery call  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn 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 onWhy finance transformation fails when it is treated as a separate role rather than a day-to-day mindsetHow CFOs are learning to make faster, better decisions without waiting for perfect dataWhat the explosive adoption of AI, including ChatGPT, signals for finance teams and leadership expectationsThe practical warning signs that data integrity and control environments are no longer fit for growthHow CFOs can professionalise fast-growing businesses without killing the agility that made them successfulThe realities of growth versus profit in private equity-backed organisations and what investors actually expectThis episode features highlights and perspectives from 240. AI in Finance: Complex Workflows to Scalable AI Solutions with Tariq Munir218. AI in Finance | From Generative AI to Reinforcement Learning with Peter Morgan234. The CFO as a Storyteller: Making KPIs Count with Matt Topham227. AI in Finance: Preparing for the AI Revolution: Abundance or Catastrophe? with David Wood235. First 100 Days as a CFO: Mastering the 60–90 Day Window as a CFO with Jeremy Earnshaw244. CFO Stories: Acquisitions, Due Diligence & Building Trust with Charlotte Crowley243. The 90-Day Finance Transformation Playbook with Hannah Munro232. The Private Equity CFO: Myths, Mistakes & Misconceptions with Richard Sandersand offers a clear-eyed view of where finance leadership is heading next. Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn 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 expectationsWhat 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 demandsLinks mentionedOmar's LinkedinLearn more about Trintech Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn 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 successLinks mentionedNicolas' Linkedin Learn more about the Science Museum Group Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn 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 coversWhy 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 systemsLinks mentionedMatthew's LinkedinLearn more about Zebra PensZebra Pens Customer Story Coming Soon! Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn 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 toolsLinks MentionedPrevious session: Stop Shopping, Start Transforming Connect with Hannah MunroConnect with Neil LynchehaunExplore more Finance Transformation Live sessionsWhich Sage Product is Right For You Quiz!Learn more about Sage Intacct Customer Success StoriesBook a discovery call  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

In this engaging discussion, Patrick Dunne, an experienced chair and author of 'Boards', shares invaluable insights on what boards look for in a CFO. He emphasizes the importance of trust and respect in the CEO-CFO relationship and highlights key qualities like integrity and strategic skills that boards value. Patrick also dives into how new CFOs can foster strong connections and navigate board dynamics, offering practical tips on leadership and communication that can make or break senior relationships.