The Conscious Finance Podcast

How can a CFO help a business grow without losing sight of cash, profit and control?In this episode of The Conscious Finance Podcast, Leo Hewett speaks with James Orton, CFO of Kubus, a systems integrator that helps organisations simplify and manage complex IT solutions.Kubus is targeting threefold growth over three years. After doubling its headcount and making two acquisitions, the business is moving from a period of investment towards profitability. James sees the CFO’s role as enabling safe growth, not simply protecting the downside. He explains how to assess risk, communicate openly with the board and help the executive team make informed decisions.Drawing on a career spanning PwC, family-office M&A and CFO roles, James also shares what he has learned about acquisitions, forecasting and building trust.They also discuss:Why being brave is different from being recklessHow early warning signs and rolling forecasts can help prevent surprisesWhy a CFO needs to spend time across the business, not just in financeHow to balance strategic leadership with letting your team take ownershipWhat makes an acquisition strategically sound, and why the hard work often starts after the deal closesA practical conversation for CFOs, FDs and finance leaders who want to create value, support growth and build confidence with their teams and boards.Find out more:James Orton on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/james-orton-fcca-58539655Kubus: https://www.kubus.com/Leo Hewett on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leohewettCore3: https://core3.co.uk/🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode: https://linktr.ee/TheConsciousFinancePodcast

What happens when you build an accountancy practice with 11 AI team members and no human employees?In this episode of The Conscious Finance Podcast, Leo Hewett speaks with entrepreneur and author Alexis Kingsbury about building what he describes as the world’s first 100% AI accountancy practice. The experiment began as a way to test what AI could really do. It led to a bigger question: what are people for when AI can take on so much work?They discuss why adding AI to existing processes won’t automatically improve results, why its greatest potential may be better business decisions rather than efficiency alone, and how confident AI errors make human judgement and oversight essential. Alexis also shares practical advice for CFOs: start with the business problem, bottleneck or opportunity, then work out how AI can help.Alexis documented the experiment in Accrual Intentions: What Happened When I Built the World’s First 100% AI Accountancy Practice.Find out more:Alexis Kingsbury: https://alexiskingsbury.com/Accrual Intentions: https://accrualintentions.com/Alexis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkingsbury/Leo Hewett on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leohewettCore3: https://core3.co.uk/🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode: https://linktr.ee/TheConsciousFinancePodcast

In this episode of The Conscious Finance Podcast, Leo Hewett sits down with Anders Liu-Lindberg – finance transformation and business partnering expert, author, and former co-founder of the Business Partnering Institute.After spending 13 years at Maersk, Anders knows first-hand how difficult it can be to move from reporting the numbers to becoming a genuinely influential partner to the business.He joins Leo to explore why finance can be right and still fail to make an impact – and what finance professionals need to do differently to earn trust, influence decisions and create real business value.They discuss why technical ability alone is no longer enough, how finance teams lose the room within the first five minutes of a meeting, and why the strongest insights are useless without the influence to turn them into action.They also discuss:• How finance professionals can become effective business partners faster• Why finance needs to understand what its stakeholders genuinely care about• Anders’ five-step framework for turning financial insight into action• Why forecasts should be reality-led rather than target-led• The difference between making finance 10% faster and making it 10 times better• How AI could transform finance teams from a pyramid into a diamond• What happens to junior development when transactional work disappears• Why the most valuable skills for tomorrow’s CFO may sit outside financeFor CFOs, FDs and finance professionals looking to build greater influence, develop stronger teams and prepare their finance function for an AI-enabled future, this episode offers an honest and practical look at what needs to change.Connect with Anders Liu-Lindberg:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersliulindberg/Connect with Leo Hewett:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leohewett/Find out more about Core3:https://core3.co.uk/

In this episode of the Conscious Finance Podcast, Leo Hewett sits down with Adam Coffey - former CEO, private equity operator, best-selling author and founder of The Chairman Group.Across 21 years as a CEO, Adam completed 58 acquisitions, worked with nine private equity sponsors and generated exits worth billions. He joins Leo to share what that experience has taught him about the role finance leaders play in building, scaling and ultimately creating value in a business.They explore why the best CFOs go far beyond simply reporting the numbers, how finance can become the “radar” that helps a business see what’s coming next, and what CFOs need to do to become genuine strategic partners to their CEOs.They also discuss:• What Adam looks for in a CFO during their first 90 days• Why finance needs to move from keeping score to predicting the score• The key levers CFOs can use to drive value creation• How AI will change the role of the finance function• What CFOs should be doing years before a potential exit• Why more than 90% of deals Adam has seen fall apart during diligence• What private equity buyers really look for in a business• How CFOs can build greater influence across the leadership teamFor any CFO, FD or finance leader working in a scaling or private equity-backed business, this is a fascinating look at finance from the other side of the table.Connect with Adam Coffey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamecoffey/The Chairman Group: https://chairmangroup.us/Connect with Leo Hewett:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leohewett/Find out more about Core3:https://core3.co.uk/

From Big 4 to Better Business: Paul King on Profit, Purpose & Pioneering FinanceWhat if the path to financial success didn’t come at the expense of people or planet? In this episode, we sit down with Paul King – chartered accountant, startup CFO, and founder of Towards Better – to explore how finance leaders can do more than just manage the numbers. From advising global giants like Starbucks Europe on sustainability to pioneering circular economy strategies in early-stage startups, Paul shares how his career has evolved with one clear goal: building businesses that are better for the world.Paul gets candid about his unconventional journey - from feeling disconnected in the corporate world to discovering meaning and momentum in mission-led startups. We discuss the real (and imagined) trade-offs between sustainability and profitability, and why employee purpose is fast becoming the most powerful driver of retention. If you’ve ever wondered how to align commercial success with social and environmental responsibility, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical wisdom.

In this episode of The Conscious Finance Podcast, Leo sits down with Edwin Davies, Investment Director at BGF, for a deep dive into the world of growth capital. From his early days in audit at PwC to leading high-impact investments at one of the UK’s most active private equity firms, Edwin shares a refreshingly candid look at the highs, lows, and lessons from his career journey.Whether you're a founder looking to raise funding, a CFO aiming to add strategic value, or simply curious about what makes a business "investment ready", Edwin offers sharp insight into what investors really look for – from backable leadership to scalable models, killer KPIs and culture that clicks. It's a must-listen for anyone scaling a business with purpose.To find out more go to: core3.co.uk/blog

Kicking off Season 2 of The Conscious Finance Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Morse, CFO of Triodos Bank UK, to explore her refreshingly honest and unconventional journey into finance. From industrial plants to Downing Street, Sarah opens up about the power of purpose, the importance of aligning work with values, and why being a CFO is about so much more than numbers. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on conscious leadership, resilience, and how finance can be a genuine force for good.For more insights at the forefront of conscious finance go to: core3.co.uk/blog

Join Sophie Bailey, ESG Advisory Director at Deloitte, as she shares her inspiring journey into sustainability and finance. From her beginnings interning in Tesco's climate change team to shaping corporate ESG strategies, Sophie explores the growing role of sustainability in business, the impact of evolving regulations, and how organizations can create value through sustainable practices. Discover actionable advice for aspiring sustainability professionals and insights into the future of finance, where sustainability metrics and financial reporting go hand in hand.

Jayne Phan joins us today, sharing her journey from traditional finance to purpose-driven employee ownership. Jayne Phan's career began in the Big Four accounting firms, where she spent seven years at EY, including a stint in Canada. Initially, her focus was on securing a good salary and working for reputable companies, influenced by her father's traditional views on career success. However, as she transitioned through various corporate roles, she felt a disconnect between her work and her personal values, leading to a sense of unfulfillment. // SHOUTOUT FOR TODAY’S GUEST Want to find out more about the great work Jayne does? Check her out here: linkedin.com/in/jayne-phan-a033621a _______________________________ // FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/core3uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/core3uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/core3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/core3-uk/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRnUjt5R-Ad2LNETZfpsH6A Website: https://core3.co.uk/ _______________________________ //FOLLOW OUR HOST LEO LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leohewett _______________________________ // LISTEN ON Apple Podcast: https: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-conscious-finance-podcast/id1655836849 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-conscious-finance-pod7 Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/search/conscious%20finance%20podcast Amazon Podcast: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/148197e6-d350-4bf6-9bf8-d535d5716a6f/the-conscious-finance-podcast

Sarah Mortiboys, the CEO of the Bristol Sport Foundation kicks off the podcast today to tackle the importance of making sport accessible for all young people, especially in under-served communities. Growing up in a rural community, she found solace and opportunities through sports. Mortiboys's desire to help others stems from the sense of purpose and belonging sports can provide. Having gone through the mill with cancer, Sarah emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and looking at challenges as opportunities. She discusses her diverse career path in education, sport, and charity work, and the importance of transparency, collaboration, and emotional intelligence in leadership. Mortiboys also advocates for investing in children's physical activity to prevent societal challenges and promote long-term benefits. // SHOUTOUT FOR TODAY’S GUEST Want to find out more about the great work Sarah does? Check her out here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmortiboys/ _______________________________ // FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/core3uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/core3uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/core3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/core3-uk/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRnUjt5R-Ad2LNETZfpsH6A Website: https://core3.co.uk/ _______________________________ //FOLLOW OUR HOST LEO LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leohewett _______________________________ // LISTEN ON Apple Podcast: https: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-conscious-finance-podcast/id1655836849 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-conscious-finance-pod7 Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/search/conscious%20finance%20podcast Amazon Podcast: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/148197e6-d350-4bf6-9bf8-d535d5716a6f/the-conscious-finance-podcast _______________________________