CFO 4.0 Podcast

Hosted by Hannah Munro

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284

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to CFO 4.0, where we explore the dynamic landscape of Financial Leadership in the era of Technology 4.0. I'm your host, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas, a pioneering Financial Transformation consultancy. In this podcast series, we unravel the intricate connection between cutting-edge technologies and the financial domain. It's more than just adopting tools; it's about cultivating the skills necessary to navigate and spearhead the transformative journey within Finance. CFO 4.0 embodies the archetype of the Financial Leader in the future — a fusion of strategic visionaries and tech-savvy innovators. As the CFO role swiftly evolves from a mere cost controller to a strategic influencer, each transition opens up novel possibilities. Tune in as we share valuable insights and guidance from inspirational CFOs and finance leaders every episode, empowering you to revolutionise your processes, people, and data. Seize the opportunities, propel your business and career forward, and lead with unwavering confidence. Join us in shaping the future of Finance — this is CFO 4.0, your guide to the Future of Finance. We’d love for you to join our community, and if you like what you hear (which I’m sure you will 😉) it would be great if you rate and share.

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60 recent

August 18, 202632 min

283.The Fractional CFO Files: How CFOs get Sales, Ops & Products on the same page with Roger Castle

Roger Castle is a fractional Finance Director and CFO with The CFO Centre. In this episode, Roger joins Hannah to unpack what it really takes to lead through change, from persuading a fast-growing team to accept its first-ever cost cuts, to helping SME owners turn vague ambitions into concrete, achievable growth plans. Roger shares the practical realities of working as a fractional CFO across multiple clients at once, and the mindset shift required to move from corporate scale to hands-on SME finance. In this episode, they cover: Leading a workforce through its first-ever cost-cutting exercise Reading personality types to get sales, ops and product directors aligned around the numbers Turning short-term-focused CEOs into long-term planners Blending top-down market data with bottom-up revenue modelling Managing a management buyout alongside an incumbent FD

August 11, 202645 min

282. CFO Revisited: Start-up CFO to COO - Funding, Scaling and Recruiting in a start-up world with Sabrina Castiglione

In this episode of CFO 4.0 Revisited, we're looking back at Hannah Munro's conversation with Sabrina Castiglione at the time, Chief Operating Officer at Pento, and now CFO at Omnea. Sabrina's path into finance leadership is anything but conventional. She studied chemistry at university, spent years in financial services, then made the leap into startups as CFO at Tassie before stepping into the COO seat at Pento. In this session, Hannah and Sabrina cover: How a business's needs shift as it moves from Seed to Series A and beyond What life as a startup CFO really looks like Making the move from CFO to COO The current landscape for startup funding How the economic climate has changed what investors look for People vs roles - what recruitment looks like inside a startup Links mentioned in this episode Sabrina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scastiglione/ Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here . Subscribe to our Podcast!

August 4, 202634 min

281. CFO Stories | The UK's Youngest CFO on Building Trust, Not Just Teams with Sophia Levell FCCA

In this episode of CFO Stories, Hannah is joined by Sophia Levell FCCA, CFO of Access Fertility and one of the youngest CFOs in the UK. Sophia shares the fast-tracked path that got her there and what she's learned since. In this episode, we cover: Why she dropped out of college to start her ACCA journey early The mentor-shaped transition from finance operator to strategic CFO Hiring for complementary skills, not personality Building trust with the C-suite through constant, unfiltered communication Sophia's advice for anyone stepping into their first CFO role Links mentioned Sophia's Linkedin Learn more about Access Fertility Learn more about ACCA Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here . Subscribe to our Podcast!

July 28, 202635 min

280. CFOs CFO | How to Delegate Like a CFO: Strengths, Ownership & Fractional Support with Sara Daw

In this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, host Hannah Munro is joined by returning guest Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group, to explore how CFOs can build the right team around them from smart delegation to bringing in a fractional "CFO's CFO" for M&A, systems work, or steady-ship support. In this episode: Why delegation should focus on outcomes, not tasks How to build a team that plays to individual strengths What to do when a delegated task goes wrong The emerging "CFO's CFO" model and when to use it Ground rules for successful peer-level fractional partnerships Why the future of executive work is a team sport, not a solo act Links mentioned in this episode: Sara's Linkedin Learn more about the CFO centre Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here . Subscribe to our Podcast!

July 21, 20261 hr 0 min

279. How AI, Demographics and Change Are Reshaping Finance Careers with Clive Webb

In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro is joined by Clive Webb, Head of Business Management at ACCA , to discuss ACCA's report Career Paths Reimagined exploring how careers in finance are being reshaped by AI, demographics, and shifting expectations of work, and what CFOs need to do now to prepare their teams for the future. In this episode, they cover: The eight key drivers reshaping careers in accountancy and finance Why the UK's ageing population and declining birth rate mean we'll all need to work longer How AI and automation are shifting organisations from a "pyramid" to a "diamond" structure Why curiosity is the standout skill for the human-machine era The balance of technical skills vs soft skills Practical advice for CFOs on developing talent pipelines and rethinking assumptions Links mentioned: Clive’s Linkedin Learn more about ACCA Career Paths Reimagined report Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here . Subscribe to our Podcast!

July 14, 202651 min

278. CFO 4.0 Revisited | Driving Change in Finance: Unleashing the Power of Transformational Leadership with Ilana Esterrich

In this episode of CFO 4.0 Revisited, we're looking back at episode 134, where Hannah Munro was joined by Ilana Esterrich, then CFO at Planned Parenthood, now CFO & Strategic Advisor for a rich conversation on sustainable transformational leadership. Ilana shares her wealth of knowledge and experience in driving successful organisational transformations, highlighting the critical role change management plays in achieving lasting results. In this episode, we cover: The significance of people skills in driving successful change How to communicate the "why" effectively and align it with individual motivations Creating a sense of one team and fostering a culture that's open to change Why reducing non-value-adding activities in finance processes matters

July 7, 202642 min

277. First 100 Days as a CFO: The Career Strategies Every New CFO Needs to Know with John Lees

In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Monro sits down with John Lees career strategist, coach, and author to unpack the real work behind a successful CFO transition. John shares why your first 100 days actually begin long before day one, how to balance appearing confident with genuine curiosity, and the art of "checking in" with peers, stakeholders, and even the person on the security desk. He also digs into the people dynamics that make or break a new role: spotting enablers, navigating blockers, understanding personality at the top, and building trust across the C-suite fast. In this episode, you'll learn: The three biggest mistakes new CFOs make in their first 90 days How to practise "informed curiosity" to build credibility from day one Why due diligence on culture and people matters more than technical skills How to navigate difficult early conversations when the numbers don't add up The check-in framework for 30, 60, and 90 days and why it matters Links mentioned in this episode John's Linkedin Learn more about John Lee's Associates John's Book "Get Ahead in Your New Job" Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here . Subscribe to our Podcast!

June 30, 202641 min

276. The Hidden Tax: How Emotion Shapes Your Financial Decisions with Lesley Thomas

Financial decisions are rarely as rational as we think. In this episode, Hannah Munro is joined by Lesley Thomas, Founder of the Money Confidence Academy, to explore the hidden psychology driving the choices CFOs and finance leaders make every day. In this episode, we cover: Why financial decisions are driven more by emotion than data The role your childhood relationship with money plays in your leadership style today How to separate personal identity from the decisions your role demands you make Why avoiding difficult conversations creates a "hidden tax" on your organisation's performance How to overcome decision paralysis and know when you have enough information to act The importance of building a culture where your team feels safe to share ideas and concerns Lesley's Five R's framework for making clearer, faster, and more confident decisions Links mentioned Lesley's Linkedin Learn more about The Money Confidence Academy Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here . Subscribe to our Podcast!

June 23, 202646 min

275. Why culture beats technology in transformation with Tomas Hollingsworth

CFO 4.0 is back! In this unmissable relaunch episode, Hannah Munro sits down with Tomas Hollington, Director of Technology at BW Workplace Experts, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead change in a fast-growing, technology-driven business — and trust us, it's not what you'd expect. What’s covered in this episode Why culture and trust are the real foundations of successful change How to manage the pace of innovation without overwhelming the business Practical ways to prioritise ideas and avoid “change for the sake of change” The role of leadership programmes in driving behavioural and cultural shifts How to turn sceptics into your most valuable allies in transformation Why technology success depends more on people than the tools themselves Links mentioned in this episode Tomas' Linkedin Learn more about BW Workplace Experts Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here . Subscribe to our Podcast!

June 16, 202654 min

274. CFO 4.0 Revisited | CFO Stories: How to become a data-driven CFO with Glenn Hopper

When we first released this conversation, it was our 100th episode, a milestone that felt worth marking with something special. Now, 174 episodes later, it's clear why this one deserved a revisit. Host Hannah Munro is joined by Glenn Hopper, Author of Deep Finance and now Managing Director at VAi Consulting for a discussion that's only grown more relevant with time. With over 15 years of experience in the CFO seat, Glenn brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it really means to build a data-driven finance function, whether you're leading a startup or a global enterprise. In this episode, they explore: The different levels of data maturity within an organisation — and how to honestly assess where yours sits How finance teams can evolve into finance scientists, moving from reporting the past to shaping the future Why real-time data has become a non-negotiable for modern finance leaders The practical steps to becoming a truly data-driven organisation