Why you need a turnaround CFO: Driving leadership and collaboration during a crisis When a company is in financial distress, the arrival of a new CFO is rarely synonymous with business as usual. It signals a turning point or at least …

The evolving role of CFOs in driving corporate sustainability As businesses negotiate an era of unprecedented global challenges and opportunities, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are emerging as key players in driving corporate sustainability initiatives. No longer confined to traditional financial management, …

Climate finance: funding mitigation and adaptation to climate change Climate change stands as one of the most daunting challenges of our time, demanding substantial financial resources to combat its causes and cushion its impacts. At the heart of this global endeavour …

The term “FemTech,” short for female technology, was introduced in 2016 by Ida Tin a Danish entrepreneur co-founder of the menstrual tracking app Clue. Her vision was to normalise conversations about women’s health and reduce the stigma surrounding topics like menstruation …

The Women’s Health Gap The women’s health gap is a global issue that reflects embedded systemic inequalities in healthcare outcomes, access and research. While it is often associated with conditions specific to women, such as endometriosis or menopause, the gap extends …

In the evolving corporate landscape of the UK, the role of Chief Transformation Officers (CTOs) is poised for significant transformation in 2025. As businesses grapple with rapid technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, and an increasingly competitive market, the necessity for effective …

What is the landscape for Interim CFOs in 2025? As of 2025, the hiring landscape for interim Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in the UK is characterised by significant demand driven by economic uncertainties, sector-specific needs, and the ongoing transformation of business …

What is the Landscape for UK CFOs In 2025? As we move further into 2025, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in the UK are preparing to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape characterised by technological advancements, macroeconomic shifts, and changing stakeholder expectations. With …

Building Resilience in Business for Sustainable Growth In today’s world, where global challenges such as climate change and economic instability have become unavoidable, building resilience is essential for businesses that seek sustainable growth. This resilience is not just about enduring hardships …

What was the landscape for CFOs in 2024 in the UK? In 2024, the landscape for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in the UK reflects significant shifts in corporate expectations, compensation, and career trajectories. These changes are indicative of broader trends in …

Climate Change Impact on Human Health and Business Implications Climate change is emerging as a major 21st century health threat with global impacts that already affect public health systems, healthcare providers and a range of industries. In an era where environmental …

CSR vs ESG: Understanding the key differences and implications for modern business In recent years, the business world has seen a significant shift towards more sustainable and responsible practices. Two acronyms consistently come up and have gained prominence in this arena: …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Challenge of Methane and its Business Implications The global effort to combat climate change has traditionally focused on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in the …

Transitioning to Net Zero – Getting More Women in Green Jobs As the UK strives to achieve its ambitious net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050, the transition to a green economy presents both challenges and opportunities. One critical aspect of this …

In the contemporary landscape of responsible business practices, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors have emerged as critical metrics for evaluating a company’s impact and sustainability. While much attention has historically been placed on environmental and governance considerations, the “S” in …

Female Entrepreneurs in Consumer Goods: Empowering Innovation The corporate landscape has witnessed a notable surge in female entrepreneurship in recent years, with emphasis in consumer-backed businesses. Cosmetics, beauty, wellbeing, and healthcare in particular have become hotbeds of innovation and transformation led …

With the need to shape a more sustainable economy, consumer companies have an important role to play in changing the way we consume. Setting sustainability targets is key to protect the planet whilst still retaining a booming client base. However, with …

AI & Finance: Automating Accountancy Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into our daily lives as its capabilities and applications expand exponentially. With open-source generative AI or large language model programmes like ChatGPT and Google Gemini growing in public conscious …

The Future CFO As we navigate through uncertain geopolitical times, grapple with unexpected world events, and embrace the digital revolution, the future of the Chief Financial Officer as a function stands at a critical juncture. There are a multitude of elements …

Future-Proofing and Crisis Leadership: A CFO’s Role In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate finance, the Chief Financial Officer’s role has becoming increasingly nuanced and complex. Beyond oversight of finance functions, reporting requirements, and strategic concerns, CFOs are now just as likely …

The impact of climate change on women Climate change is one of the largest challenges we will face in the coming years. Its effect has been different in every region of the world; heat waves, droughts and floods are affecting us …

Impacts and Trends for Finance Teams As we reflect on Q1 2024 and look ahead to Q2, the landscape for finance teams continues to evolve, presenting unique challenges and opportunities, particularly at the mid- to senior level. Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Dynamics …

Successes in Female Funding The landscape of entrepreneurship in the UK has witnessed a transformative shift in recent years, with a gratifying emphasis on fostering diversity and inclusivity. One notable aspect of this evolution is the increasing support and funding opportunities …

JAMES WITHERS – DIRECTOR OF GROUP FINANCE AT BURGER KING UK Career Overview  After leaving university I joined KPMG’s audit practice, based in the Gatwick office and working across a range of middle market clients. I left KPMG shortly after completing …

Long celebrated for its ability to transform the way we look and feel, the cosmetics industry has more recently been undergoing a slow but radical transformation of its own, in the shift towards sustainability. As environmental concerns continue to dominate the …

In today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape, the need for leadership that is not only forward-thinking but also socially responsible has never been more pronounced. As businesses endeavour to navigate an increasingly complex world, women are making significant strides in reshaping this …

The aviation sector has long been a vital component of globalisation and modern connectivity. Progress in the skies can come at a cost though, and, like many others, the aviation sector is now at a crossroads of reconciling its growth trajectory …

With the need to shape a more sustainable economy, consumer companies have an important role to play in changing the way we consume. Setting sustainability targets is key to protect the planet whilst still retaining a booming client base. However, with …

A couple of months into 2023 and it looks like the “permacrisis” is here to stay. Unstable political times across the world, high inflation and environmental concerns have taken centre stage and are influencing consumers’ behaviours. Their priorities are changing and …

Career Overview My career has been focused on commercial financial management of music publishing and recorded music rights. I have worked across the music industry including at Universal Music Group, BMG Music, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music Publishing, PRS for Music …

With an ever-expanding world population and increasing pollution levels the need to build a more sustainable human society has become obvious. For years we have forgotten about nature and assumed we could keep going with our consumption and production habits for …

CAREER OVERVIEW After completing a degree in Economics and Econometrics and the UK Chartered Accountancy exams, David pursued a career in Finance in a diverse range of multinational businesses, including PepsiCo, Thomson Corporation, Sapient and Zipcar. David has held senior positions …

The Role Of CFOs In The Sustainability Journey Most companies have now started their journey towards a more sustainable way of doing business. The European Union has recently approved the corporate sustainability reporting directive which introduces more detailed reporting requirements and …

CAREER OVERVIEW Former Dentsu International executive Andy Leck is Flight Story’s Chief Financial Officer. Earlier in his career, Andy was Financial Director of the IT transformation programme at WPP, working across areas of media, advertising, and market research. Prior to joining …

Digital transformation has been on the agenda of companies for several years and has been embraced by Leaders with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Change management is complex and digital transformation has sometimes been lowered to the rank of simply implementing new …

The transport and logistics industry is pivotal to all our lives and constantly needs to change and adapt to remain competitive. The pandemic has accelerated some trends, it has also brought to light new challenges and opportunities in the supply chain. …

Technology, Media & Telecoms Update  Over the last couple of years TMT companies have been at the centre of all our lives. The lockdowns brought about by the pandemic have meant our reliance on them to work, entertain ourselves and remain …

The Role of the CFO in Risk Management With the volatile environment the world has and will continue to face for the foreseeable future, risk management has become a key item on companies’ agendas. Up until a couple of years ago, …

As we are going through a time of unprecedented change, businesses have had to adapt quickly to new ways of working and changing geopolitical and economic environments. Finance leaders have been highly involved in shaping how businesses should adapt and as …

Navigating the current economic and geopolitical climate whilst remaining competitive and planning for the future The theme of this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos was “History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies”. It is Spring 2022 and …

Ethical sourcing and production have increasingly become essential components of modern business operations, encompassing fair trade practices, local sourcing and sustainable manufacturing. These approaches not only contribute to social and environmental sustainability but also offer tangible benefits for businesses. In recent …

Carbon Neutrality And Supply Chain Decarbonisation We all remember the great feeling of hope that came after the Paris agreement in 2015 when world leaders committed to take action to fight climate change. Although a lot of work has been done …

The purpose of companies has, for a long time, been to generate profit and to maximise shareholder value. The success of a firm has always been measured by its ability to make money, until the new century arrived and the emphasis …

Over the last few weeks we have witnessed an increased number of meteorological catastrophes around the world. From heatwaves in Canada, to devastating floods in Europe and China, these events have made the consequences of climate change even more real to …

Traditional business models have seen disruptions from many newcomers and start-ups over the last 15 years and the pace of disruption is not slowing down. With increased competition in most sectors and challenging economic environments it has become more and more …

Major financial transactions such as an IPO or a merger and acquisition process are key events in a company’s life. These operations are linked to milestones in the life of a company and are affected by the business environment. A Range …

Mental health and well-being really came to the front of the agenda in the last 10 years however the pandemic has undeniably put a different light on the topic. All of us have faced situations that we never imagined we would …

Sustainability and how it relates to talent attraction and retention What is more topical than sustainability? With Extinction Rebellion back on the streets of London and more and more climate events causing destruction and loss of human lives our focus has …

The suddenness of the last crisis has meant that many organisations have had to respond quickly and adapt to new ways of working at a pace never seen before. Operating models have been transformed, protracted decision-making processes have been replaced by …

This year, the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26) will take place in the United Kingdom. Never before as a society, have we been so concerned and engaged about environmental issues such as climate change. Building a sustainable …

2020 has seen the emergence of a new threat which has forced the world to change and readjust. Today’s globalised economy means every part of the world has been affected by the spread of COVID-19. In the UK, we have seen …