The Finance Seat

What changes when finance has to support a business across different countries, cultures and markets? In this episode of The Finance Seat, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Paul Stevenson about the practical lessons he has learned from a career spanning KPMG, Pace, international finance leadership and manufacturing.They discuss why businesses cannot assume that what works in one country will work in another, the value of spending time face-to-face with international teams and the numbers Paul pays closest attention to in manufacturing: cash, margins and OpEx. Paul also shares his perspective on AI, moving from practice into industry, dealing with change and why the best finance people make the effort to understand the whole business.About Paul:Paul Stevenson is CFO of Facultatieve Technologies and Anima Care UK. Having started his career at KPMG, he has gone on to hold senior finance roles across a range of businesses and has extensive experience working with international teams and operations.Connect with Paul: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-stevenson-0934975b/ About Facultatieve Technologies:Facultatieve Technologies (FT) is a global leader in cremation and incineration systems. Recognised for delivering environmentally responsible and technically advanced solutions.Driven by the mission "Leading with Integrity, Innovating with Purpose, Prioritising Sustainability," FT designs and services high-performance cremators that are trusted in over 35 countries. With over 140 years of engineering expertise and a commitment to continuous improvement, the company sets the standard in world class cremators.FT is a specialist in the design, manufacture, and installation of cremators, abatement systems, and a comprehensive range of ancillary equipment.A global presence of over 1,300 cremators in 35 countries, including North America, some of the most efficient cremators in the world, ready-to-filter solutions, and up to 24/7 global support.FT delivers unparalleled performance and reliability.Innovative technology, trusted for generations, reliable by nature.Website: www.facultatieve-technologies.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/facultatieve-technologiesFollow to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

The difference between a successful transformation and one that drifts often comes down to what happens before anything really starts.In this episode of The Finance Seat, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Laura Beane, Finance Leader, about why finance transformation programmes struggle and what leaders tend to underestimate. They explore the importance of the early stages, the role of consistent engagement, and why listening to your people is what carries a programme through. Laura also sharesher experience of leading large-scale transformation and working closely with senior leadership teams, offering a practical view of how change actually plays out. Laura Beane is a Finance Leader with over 20 years’ experience at Direct Line, where she held senior roles across finance transformation and operated as Chief of Staff tothe CFO. Her work brings together technical delivery with a strong focus on people and leadership. If you are leading or part of a transformation, this conversation will help you focus on what really makes the difference. Connect with Laura: www.linkedin.com/in/laurafaybeane Follow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

The CFO role in a VC-backed business looks very different to what many expect. In this episode of The Finance Seat podcast, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Adam Uttley, CFO at Wayland Additive, about what it really takes to operate in a high-growth, deep tech environment. They explore how the focus shifts away from traditional reporting towards understanding key value drivers, how to balance innovation with commercial discipline, and whatinvestors are really looking for from finance leaders. Adam also shares his journey through corporate roles, start-ups and running his own business, and how those experiences have shaped his approach. Adam Uttley is CFO at Wayland Additive, a VC-backed engineering business developing advanced metal additive manufacturing technology. His career spans private equity,startups and entrepreneurship, giving him a broad perspective on finance leadership. If you are thinking about moving into a start-up or want to understand how finance operates in that environment, this episode gives a clear view of what to expect. Connect with Adam: www.linkedin.com/in/adam-uttleyAbout Wayland Additive:Wayland Additive is a UK-based engineering company specialising in metal additive manufacturing technology. The business develops advanced 3D printing systems designed to produce complex metal parts, supporting innovation across a range of industries.Website: www.waylandadditive.com  LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/wayland-additive Follow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

The CFO role is changing, and expectations are broader than ever.  In this episode of The Finance Seat podcast, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Kate Cooper, CFO at the Institute of Directors, about what leadership looks like beyond the numbers. They explore the transition from technical expert to strategic leader, the importance of flexibility and inclusion in modern finance teams, and how CFOs play a key role in shaping governance and ethical decision making. Kate also shares herperspective on the evolving relationship between CFO and CEO, and why that partnership is becoming more critical. If you are thinking about the future of the CFO role, this episode offers a practical and thoughtful perspective. Kate Cooper is CFO at the Institute of Directors, the professional body for company directors in the UK, where she plays a key role in shaping financial strategy, governanceand organisational leadership. Connect with Kate: www.linkedin.com/in/katecooper375About the Institute of Directors:The Institute of Directors is the UK’s professional body for company directors. It supports leaders through training, qualifications and resources, helping them develop the skills needed to lead organisations effectively and responsibly. Website: www.iod.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/school/institute-of-directorsFollow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information. 

Fractional CFO roles are talked about more than ever, but what does the reality actually look like? In this episode of The Finance Seat, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Rachel Smith, Fractional CFO at RLS Finance, about her journey from corporate finance into a portfolio career and what that shift really involves. They explore how fractional careers develop over time, the challenge of managing multiple clients and priorities, and why setting boundaries is essential if you want the model to work. Rachel also shares how she has shaped her work towards the areas she enjoys most, and why being comfortable with uncertainty is part of the role. If you are thinking about going fractional or working with a fractional CFO, this episode gives a clear and practical view of how it actually works in practice. Rachel Smith is a Fractional CFO at RLS Finance, working with a range of growing businesses to provide strategic finance support, from financial planning and business partnering through to supporting key decision making. Connect with Rachel: www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-smith-fca-8a514353Follow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

Interim roles don’t give you time to ease in - you’re expected to deliver almost immediately. In this episode of The Finance Seat, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Claire Tisch, Director at Unity Advisory, about how to deliver change at pace while bringing people with you. They explore what it takes to step into a business and quickly understand its dynamics, how interim roles allow leaders to challenge thinking without internal politics, and why shaping the brief is often just as important as delivering it.  The conversation also looks at the role of AI in finance,and how leaders should be thinking about it as part of a wider strategy rather than a standalone solution. Claire Tisch is an award-winning director, with a background in finance transformation and interim leadership across a range of organisations. She has led large-scale transformation programmes and was recognised as Finance Interim of the Year for her delivery and impact. Connect with Claire:www.linkedin.com/in/claire-tisch  About Unity Advisory:Unity Advisory is a next-generation CFO advisory firm, backed by Warburg Pincus, supporting ambitious mid-market organisations. They bring together AI-native finance, tax, and deals capabilities in one integrated model, free from audit conflicts and legacy constraints.  Website: www.unity-advisory.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/unity-advisory  Follow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

In this episode of The Finance Seat, Headstar Managing Director James Roach is joined by Ross MacGregor, Finance Director at Axiologik, to talk about what it really takes to scale a consulting business sustainably.Ross shares his experience of joining a growing digital consultancy with no formal finance function, navigating an early period of decline, and rebuilding towards stable, long-term growth. The conversation explores the realities behind utilisation, margin and headcount, and why growth needs guardrails if it is going to last.They also dig into finance partnering, the role of automation and systems, balancing permanent staff and contractors, and how finance leaders should think about transformation, data and ROI in an increasingly digital world.Connect with Ross: www.linkedin.com/in/ross-macgregor-21106352About AxiologikAxiologik is a multi-award-winning digital, technology, and engineering consultancy specialising in leading and delivering ambitious, mission-critical digital change. They thrive on complexity, guiding organisations through uncertainty and solving challenges others can’t. Axiologik’s industry-leading work helps clients achieve excellence in digital delivery. We’re proud to be one of the few UK consultancies awarded B-Corp certification, reflecting our commitment to positive societal impact and ethical, responsible practices.Website: www.axiologik.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/axiologikFollow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

In this episode of The Finance Seat podcast, Headstar Managing Director James Roach speaks with Mike Sprot, CFO at IDHL, about scaling a digital agency under private equity ownership.Mike reflects on joining IDHL during COVID, completing a PE deal remotely, and helping the business grow from 200 to 400 plus people through organic growth and acquisitions. They explore what successful integration really takes, why culture is often underestimated, and how agencies avoid losing sight of value creation.The discussion also covers life under private equity, managing performance pressure, balancing short-term results with long-term strategy, and how finance leaders are responding to AI, global expansion and increasing complexity.Mike Sprot is CFO at IDHL, a multi-brand digital marketing agency operating across the UK, Europe and the US.Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sprotAbout IDHL IDHL is the UK’s leading digital marketing, weband commerce specialist. Focused on delivering meaningful outcomes, they combineexperience, AI-driven innovation, and deep insight to deliver transformation and commercial acceleration for world-leading brands. Backed by 500+ specialists across the UK and US, and AI innovation through IDHL Labs, theyturn intelligence into measurable competitive advantage. Focused on what matters. Built for growth. Website: www.idhlagency.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/weareidhlFollow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

In this episode of The Finance Seat podcast, Headstar Managing Director James Roach is joined by Mel Ross, an experienced CFO with a career spanning corporates, private equity-backed businesses and early-stage startups. Most recently Mel works as a CFO at pubX - an innovative business that helps organisations deploy generative AI with clarity and governance.Mel shares how she moved into startup and fractional CFO work, and what she has learned about the financial blind spots founders often have. They discuss the differences between corporate, scale-up and early-stage CFO roles, and how priorities shift from profit to cash, structure to flexibility.The conversation also covers forecasting in uncertain environments, managing investor relationships, building finance teams at the right time, and the resilience required to operate in high-pressure early-stage businesses.Connect with Mel: www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-ross-09237b55About pubX:pubX is an AI enablement platform and consultancy that helps organisations adopt, scale and govern generative AI responsibly. Through frameworks, tooling and advisory, pubX supports businesses in deploying AI in ways that improve performance while managing risk.Website: www.pubx.aiLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pubxaiFollow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.

In this episode of The Finance Seat podcast series, Headstar’s Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Fiona Roberts, former Finance Transformation Director at TalkTalk Group - a major UK telecoms and connectivity provider. Fiona explains what finance transformation really is in practice, why strong initiation prevents scope creep, and how to keep momentum over multi-year programmes.They explore people vs. systems, the warning signs of change fatigue, what to look for in a transformation leader, and how to define success so the programme actually ends - before you move into continuous improvement.If you are planning or in the middle of a finance transformation, this conversation will help you focus on the decisions that matter.Follow The Finance Seat to be alerted about new podcast episodes and check out www.headstar.co.uk for more information.