87: Mind the gap – aspirations to a CFO

In this podcast, we explore the findings of the Aspirations to CFO survey, conducted by the London women in leadership network, which examined the aspirations and experiences of finance professionals across the NHS.Joined by experienced CFO's, we discuss the opportunities and barriers facing aspiring finance leaders, including the perceived ambition gap and expectation gap. The conversation also explores the realities of the CFO role, the importance of flexible working, inclusive leadership, male allyship, and the structural challenges that continue to influence progression into senior leadership positions.This episode is in collaboration with the London regional finance academy.

In this new HFMAtalk episode, our guests explore how organisations can better support neurodivergent colleagues. Through personal experiences and practical insights, our guests discuss the challenges and successes of navigating the workplace, the impact of reasonable adjustments, and the steps leaders can take to build more inclusive teams. We also highlight useful networks and resources available to support neurodiverse staff and their allies. The host for this episode, Gavin Rush, interim head of operational finance at Cheshire and Wirall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is joined by Wes Baker, chief data officer at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Andy Petherbridge, deputy manager – primary & community care at NHS England.

We bring you the fourth episode on our mini-series that focuses on NHS finance career stories where we explore the diverse journeys of finance professionals across the NHS. Lisa Robertson, senior policy manager at the HFMA, will be speaking to people at different stages of their careers and from organisations across the country to discuss the experiences, challenges, opportunities and lessons that have shaped their unique career paths.In this episode, Lisa is joined by Eimear McCauley, executive director of finance, contracts & capital development at Western Health and Social Care Trust.

We are now onto our third episode of the mini-series focusing on NHS finance career stories wherewe explore the diverse journeys of finance professionals across the NHS! Lisa Robertson, senior policy manager at the HFMA, will be speaking to people at different stages of their careers and from organisations around the country to discuss the experiences, challenges, opportunities and lessons that have shaped their unique career paths. In this episode, Lisa is joined by Catherine Philips, executive director of finance at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Craig Marriott, director of finance at NHS Lothian and Heledd Cooper, director of finance at NHS Highland.

This episode is the second of the mini-series focusing on NHS finance career stories where we explore the diverse journeys of finance professionals across the NHS. Lisa Robertson, senior policy manager at the HFMA, will be speaking to people at different stages of their careers and from organisations around the country to discuss the experiences, challenges, opportunities and lessons that have shaped their unique career paths.In this episode, Lisa is joined by Ayesha Ahmed, finance assistant at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Guy Dakin, senior management accountant at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Sofiya Khan-Ringshaw, corporate business partner and transformation accountant at North East London NHS Foundation Trust.

This episode is the first of a mini-series focusing on NHS finance career stories where we explore the diverse journeys of finance professionals from across the NHS. Lisa Robertson, senior policy manager at the HFMA, will be speaking to people at different stages of their careers and from organisations around the country to discuss the experiences, challenges, opportunities and lessons that have shaped their unique career paths.In this episode, Lisa is joined by Amy Whitaker, chief finance officer at Mid Yorkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Madi Parmar, chief finance officer at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

This episode features a conversation with Paul Brown, who stepped down last year from his role as an ICB chief financial officer and now works as an independent advisor to the NHS. Having been involved with HFMA for many years, Paul shares reflections on his career journey and insights gained since leaving his full‑time CFO role.New HFMA members in band 7+ roles, or those recently qualified, can access half-price membership for two years. Register before 30 June 2026 to take advantage of the offer, use code: Member50OFF

In this episode of HFMAtalk, we share a session from our recent pre-accounts planning event.Chaired by Debbie Paterson, senior technical manager at the HFMA, the discussion features Gary Mincher, finance manager at Wye Valley NHS Trust, and Ian Howse, key audit partner at Deloitte. They explore how to foster effective relationships with your auditor, highlight best practices, and outline the critical questions to ask for a smoother audit process.

In this episode, we bring you a session from the recent HFMA pre-accounts planning event.Lisa Robertson, senior policy manager at the HFMA, is joined by Ben Sherriff, associate partner at Deloitte LLP, to explore auditor feedback from the latest planning cycle. Together, they unpack what auditors are focusing on, key themes emerging from the process, and the in-year developments finance teams need to be aware of as they prepare for year-end.

In this episode, we explore why sustainability reporting is now a board-level priority and why finance leaders must take an active role.Kat Ridley, policy manager at the HFMA, is joined by William Hughes, director and climate & nature sustainability services lead at Forvis Mazars, and Wendy Cheeseman, head of sustainability and carbon management at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to discuss the updated HFMA sustainability reporting briefing and what it means for organisations preparing their year-end accounts.They address common misconceptions, the impact of Phase 3 TCFD reporting, and the growing importance of climate-related scenario modelling for finance teams. The conversation highlights the risks of disengagement, the benefits of integrating sustainability into financial decision-making, and the practical steps finance leaders should take ahead of the 2025/26 year end to ensure robust reporting.You can find the policy briefing here.