The Forward Thinking CFO

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, host Stephen Aldridge is joined by Daniya Stewart - a former banker turned startup founder and now fractional CFO and advisor to early-stage businesses. Daniya shares her fascinating journey from a 17-year career in renewable energy project finance to launching and scaling Phomo - a Vietnamese meal kit startup born in lockdown. She takes us behind the scenes of her founder experience: the initial idea sparked by missing her favourite lunch, raising over £300,000 in funding, securing retail interest from the likes of Selfridges and Whole Foods, and ultimately winding down the business after a tough fundraising environment in 2023. Now running Valor Advisory, Daniya works with early-stage companies to help them build financially resilient business models - applying hard-earned lessons from her time as a founder and startup operator. In this episode, Daniya and Stephen explore: - What project finance taught her about startups - Why she bootstrapped Phomo before seeking investment - How she navigated capital raises through angel investors and crowdfunding - The hard truths about D2C economics and retail pivots - Her reflections on failure, survivorship bias and the power of sharing the full founder story - The value she brings now as a fractional CFO to other founders on a mission Daniya’s honesty, humour and insight make this a must-listen for anyone navigating the realities of growing an early-stage business.

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, we take a deep dive into a crucial question for finance professionals: Can I trust this model? Stephen Aldridge is joined by Christine Donnet, a fellow modeller here at Numeritas, to discuss practical ways to assess the reliability of a financial model. Whether you're inheriting a model, conducting due diligence, or simply trying to validate your own work, this conversation provides valuable insights into identifying potential risks, inefficiencies, and hidden pitfalls. Topics covered in this episode include: - The importance of model quality in financial decision-making - Quick techniques to assess a model’s structure and integrity - Common warning signs of errors and inefficiencies - Best practices for maintaining a well-structured, transparent model - When it might be time to rebuild rather than repair Plus, they share some of the internal tools and techniques we use to evaluate model integrity efficiently. If you're looking for a smarter approach to financial modelling and risk assessment, this episode is for you. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this team discussion episode, so please do get in touch with any feedback you have.

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, Stephen Aldridge is joined by Maria Ghibu, a fractional CFO, entrepreneur, and non-executive director at the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors. Maria offers a fascinating account of her journey from financial auditor to fractional CFO, sharing her insights into post-merger integration, the robotics and biotech sectors, and the importance of good governance. In this episode, Stephen and Maria delve into: ● Challenges of funding and scaling in the robotics sector ● Lessons in investor relations, scaling, and startup operations ● The impact of fractional CFOs on startup scaling and governance ● How AI supports but doesn’t replace skilled audit professionals If you’re a finance leader or entrepreneur navigating complex growth challenges, this episode is one not to miss. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about Maria - or get in touch with her - check out her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-ghibu/

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, Stephen Aldridge is joined by Jeremy Earnshaw, former CFO and founder of Clarendon Executive Coaching and Mentoring. With over 25 years of global C-Suite experience, Jeremy shares his journey from finance to executive coaching, offering invaluable insights on "Coaching with Purpose" and empowering leaders to achieve transformative results. In this packed episode, Andrew and Jeremy explore: - How coaching aligns with organisational goals - Evaluating the ROI of coaching through financial and performance metrics - Why building personal relationships between coach and coachee is crucial for success - Case studies on coaching through mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising With a focus on bespoke coaching strategies and MSc-level academic expertise, Jeremy shares his incredible experiences of helping C-Suite executives, new leaders, and aspiring top talent navigate leadership complexities. Whether you're a finance leader or exploring coaching, this episode is a must-listen. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about Jeremy- or get in touch with him - check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyearnshaw/

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, Stephen Aldridge is joined by Andrew Lynch, Head of FP&A at Blue Light Card. With a rich background in finance leadership across diverse industries - from wholesale to tech - Andrew shares invaluable insights on leveraging the finance function to enhance commercial performance. In this packed episode, Andrew and Stephen explore: - The pivotal role of financial planning and analysis in business strategy. - How to distinguish between budgeting and forecasting, and their distinct roles in business planning. - Techniques for optimising marketing spend and managing supply chains more efficiently. - The power of data warehouses and ETL processes in financial analysis. - The evolving impact of AI on data analysis and the potential transformation of finance roles. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about Andrew - or get in touch with him - check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewglynch/

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, Stephen Aldridge is joined by David Forbes, a seasoned corporate treasurer and former financial modeller. David's impressive career includes roles at Serco, Mitie, and Logicor, where he honed his expertise in modelling and treasury management. During his long tenure at Serco, David worked on diverse projects such as public-private partnerships and PFI. His experience spans across a wide variety of sectors from aviation to healthcare and education. His move to Logicor in 2021, a logistics real estate business operating in 19 countries across Europe, meant a need to quickly adapt to the complexities of a treasury function in a very different environment. Their fascinating discussion focuses on the often mis-understood role of the treasury function, as Stephen and David delve into: - The evolving role of corporate treasury and its critical importance in business operations. - Why precise cash forecasting, effective external relationships and a well-managed team are vital. - Strategies for maintaining efficiency and adding value amidst changing interest rates. - Developing a robust data and digital strategy within treasury functions. - Modern Treasury Management Systems to streamline data handling and centralise treasury information. Whether you're a seasoned CFO or an aspiring one, this episode offers valuable insights from a leading expert in the field. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about David, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmforbes

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, Stephen Aldridge was joined by Lawrence Edwards-Smajda, CFO of Haier UK & Ireland, the mastermind behind a number of well-known big brands like Hoover and Candy. Lawrence's journey to Haier is a fascinating one, beginning with what was essentially a 12-month interview that paved the way for a captivating story you won't want to miss. An experienced finance professional and commercial leader who has performed and succeeded in many varied and pressurised positions and situations, Lawrence brings an incredible wealth of experience to this episode. During their fascinating discussion, Stephen and Lawrence delve into: - Implementing SAP and navigating digital transformation Standardising data and processes for success - Managing a business amidst a pension scheme deficit - Reorganising UK operations and finance functions effectively - Developing a commercial finance strategy in alignment with business objectives Whether you're an established CFO or aspiring to be one, in this fascinating conversation, you’ll gain plenty of valuable insights from a true leader in the field. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about Lawrence, check out her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-edwards-smajda-46211912/ If you want to learn more about Haier Group, have a look at their website at – https://corporate.haier-europe.com/

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, we go a little off-piste as Cameron Miller, the Hydrogen Development Manager at Carlton Power, joins us to discuss the current state and future of hydrogen in the UK. As the shift from fossil-based to renewable energy sources gains momentum, Cameron's expertise sheds light on the pivotal role of hydrogen in this transition. Carlton Power is an independent UK energy development company that develops and finances renewable energy and renewable-associated infrastructure projects, so it is at the forefront of the energy transition. Cameron brings an innate passion for the ongoing changes in the global energy transition. During their discussion, Stephen and Cameron explore: - Why hydrogen is crucial for the energy transition - The UK government's support mechanism for hydrogen production - The UK's hydrogen strategy and its potential to replace natural gas Whether you're passionate about sustainable energy or considering investments in renewable energy projects, this conversation offers a valuable insider view. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about Cameron, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmmiller17/ If you want to learn more about Carlton Power, take a look at their website – www.carltonpower.co.uk

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, we were joined by the hugely knowledgeable Paul Lines, Corporate Finance Advisor and Consultant at Garwood Solutions, a firm that advises Professional Services and IT firms, as well as their investors. Paul specialises in helping firms to grow and develop through mergers and acquisitions, and having been in the business for over 20 years, he’s practically a lifelong M&A practitioner, with a wealth of deals under his belt. In this episode Paul talks about his career to date, the many reasons why firms consider mergers and acquisitions, and the key steps involved in the process. During their discussion, Stephen and Paul explore a number of topics, including: - The compelling reasons for firms to consider M&A as a growth driver, even in challenging times. - Why sellers must be prepared for negotiations - with their financial house fully in order. - The current upswing in the M&A market, fuelled by pent-up demand and private equity activity. - Common pitfalls to navigate, especially when contemplating international acquisitions. - The need for buyers to be crystal-clear on their strategic objectives to identify their ideal acquisition targets. Paul also offers valuable advice to those who may be interested in specialising in M&A. So whether you’re a business leader, just starting out in your career, or an established CFO with an interest in M&A, this fascinating conversation will give you plenty of real, actionable advice to prepare you for the road ahead. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about Paul, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-lines/?originalSubdomain=uk If you want to learn more about Garwood Solutions, take a look at their website – http://www.garwoodsolutions.com

In this episode of The Forward Thinking CFO, we were joined by the hugely knowledgeable Aneal Vallurupalli, CFO at Airbase, a spend management software company. Aneal brings a unique perspective to the table, as he not only holds the CFO position at Airbase but also works directly with CFOs and finance departments to streamline their processes, so gets to experience both sides of the coin. Aneal’s career began in technology investment banking at Union Square Advisors, His background includes early to late-stage corporate finance, corporate development, operations, and tech M&A. With over 12 years of experience in financial operations, Aneal has seen firsthand the challenges of manual processes and the need for automation. Aneal has been instrumental in building Airbase, so brings a wealth of insights to this episode. During their discussion, Stephen and Aneal explore: - The evolving role of CFOs in rapidly growing companies - The importance of modernising procurement and payment processes - Accounts payable automation, fraud monitoring, and building customer trust - Overcoming challenges in acquisition and post-merger integration strategies - Successfully managing a remote-only company - Navigating economic downturns and preparing for future growth Whether you’re an established CFO or an aspiring one, this captivating conversation will give you plenty of food for thought. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch below with any feedback you have. If you want to find out more about Aneal, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneal-vallurupalli-4b573a38/ If you want to learn more about Airbase, take a look at their website – www.airbase.com