Leadership, exit strategy & building high-impact teams - Lessons from Stephan Burow

What does it really take to lead a private equity-backed business through growth, exit, and transformation while staying true to your leadership style?In this episode, Stephan Burow, CFO at Lintbells, shares his journey from Unilever to high-growth scaleups like Gousto, and now to leading finance, tech, and people at a purpose-driven pet wellness company.We dive into:🧠 The mindset shift required to thrive as a PE-backed CFO⏱  Why pace, 80/20 thinking, and intentional time management are make-or-break🤝 How Stephan builds high-performance, people-first cultures🧩 Secrets to handling exits and investor pressure🐾 Why purpose mattersWhether you’re an aspiring CFO, in the middle of a scaleup journey, or leading through a private equity transaction, this episode is packed with insights and best of all - refreshing honesty.🎧 Listen now and tell us: What’s the hardest part of leading in a PE-backed environment?Chapters00:00 – Intro & Background02:00 – From Unilever to Scaleups06:00 – Why Pace & Impact Matter10:00 – Gusto, Growth & the 80/20 Rule14:00 – Transitioning to CFO in PE20:00 – Managing Investors & Exit Process26:00 – AI, Finance & the Future30:00 – Leadership, Mentorship & Culture38:00 – Broadening the CFO Role45:00 – Risks, Cybersecurity & What Keeps Him Up48:30 – Legacy, Purpose & Final Advice

AI is transforming finance—but how do you cut through the noise and turn data into real impact?In this episode, Rosanne Werner, CEO of XcelerateIQ, shares her journey from Deloitte to driving data-led transformation at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. She breaks down:📊 Why finance leaders must master data storytelling🔄 The AI mindset shift CFOs need to stay ahead💡 How to bridge the gap between technology and leadershipHer advice? Master the art of storytelling, embrace AI, and never stop learning.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GnbJUynQHno💬 What’s the biggest challenge you see in AI adoption for finance leaders? Drop your thoughts in the comments.#CFO #AIinFinance #Leadership #FinanceTransformation #STOIX

How does a CFO successfully balance career and motherhood? 🤘 Dominique Highfield of Bloom & Wild shares her insights.From building strong support systems to embracing self-confidence, she demonstrates that balance is the key to long-term success.In this episode, Dominique offers an honest perspective on integrating professional and personal responsibilities. She discusses her approach to managing both roles, navigating pivotal career moments, and maintaining a fulfilling work-life balance.✨ With the support of her husband and a dedicated team, she has learned to prioritise what truly matters—excelling in her career while making meaningful time for her family.We also explore the impact of mentorship, the role of opportunity, and the importance of self-belief in achieving professional growth.💡 Her key advice? Focus on doing what you love, find the right fit, and career growth will naturally follow.A sincere thank you to Dominique for sharing her valuable experiences with us! 🙌📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QOuP2VObcgs #CFOInsights #WorkLifeBalance #WomenInBusiness #STOIX

What a fantastic episode this was! Dan Sherfield, former Head of Finance for Psycle  and current CFO of Grind | Certified B Corp, takes us behind the scenes of his nine-year journey transforming a local café chain into an e-commerce sensation. Through many ups and downs, including navigating the pandemic, Dan led Grind’s shift to e-commerce with agility and vision—proving that in today’s world, adaptability isn’t optional. For aspiring CFOs, he stresses the importance of knowing your business inside and out, so you can make smart decisions that drive sustainable growth. 🔄📊But it's not all about the numbers. Dan also prioritises work-life balance ⚖️, setting boundaries to stay healthy and energised. He models leadership that doesn’t sacrifice personal well-being for professional success. Plus, his commitment to sustainability 🌱, with Grind’s B Corp certification, shows that growth and doing good can go hand in hand. 🌍How do you keep your focus sharp in a fast-paced world? From rolling to-do lists 📝 and exploring AI’s potential 🤖, to building trust and inspiring teams to rally behind a shared vision.A big thank you to Dan for detailing this unique experience with us!If you’re looking to draw inspiration from a seasoned CFO, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9tQztaZl1H4 #Leadership #CFO #Adaptability #EcommerceSuccess #AI #STOIX

We had a lot of fun recording this episode with Mary C., former Managing Director and former Chief Financial Officer at JustPark! With over a decade of diverse financial experience, Mary takes us on her fascinating journey—from jellybean-wrapping to corporate finance to leading in the tech start-up space.Amid the laughs, you’ll uncover profound insights on:⚙️ Adapting to a start-up culture with a focus on cash generation and profitability🚀 Mastering the art of building strong relationships🏋️ Taking calculated career risks🌈 The importance of diverse experiences for aspiring CFOsA huge thank you to Mary for sharing her unique expertise with us!If you’re looking to refine your hiring strategies or simply draw inspiration from a seasoned CFO, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/c1oRwkcY8vc#FinanceLeadership #CFO #CareerAdvice #SuccessAndFailure #STOIX

Well, this is a unique journey—swapping an outstanding sports career for chartered accountancy. 🏉In this episode, we sit down with Mark Foster, former SVP of LIV Golf, and and CEO of WinSure Group , whose impressive background spans real estate, corporate finance, and private equity. 💼What sets Mark apart is his remarkable journey from professional sports to corporate leadership. In this conversation, he shares how lessons from his sports career have shaped his leadership style and resilience. 📖Mark reflects on how his collegiate sports experience instilled discipline, problem-solving skills, and adaptability under pressure—traits that have been invaluable in his finance career. He also explores how these principles contribute to building strong leadership in today’s competitive corporate world. 🦾This episode is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways for leaders aiming to develop resilience and achieve success, both in business and beyond. 🚀Thank you, Mark Foster, for sharing your unique journey with us.If you’re in private equity—or aspiring to be—you’ll gain raw, genuine insights from Mark’s story. Don’t miss this one! 👇📺 Watch here: https://youtu.be/CEar84JkR1E#CareerSwitch #Sport #Finance #PrivateEquity #STOIX

Law, Finance & Sustainability: Aurore Gil's Inspiring Journey 📖Studied law and finance, then earned her stripes at business school in Paris, and built a remarkable 14-year career in M&A at UBS - all while starting a family.Aurore’s story didn’t stop there. After stepping away from banking, she pursued sustainability at Cambridge University and went on to drive change as the Investment Director at Cibus Capital LLP. 🚀In this motivating episode of the STOIX Podcast, we explore:🗺️ Early career ambitions and the realities of investment banking⚙️ Leadership challenges and qualities that define success🚀 Transitioning from IB to private equity and championing ESG🏋️ Balancing a high-powered career and family lifeIf you’re in M&A—or aspiring to be—you’ll gain raw, genuine insights from Aurore’s journey. Don’t miss this one! 👇Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKRr_4Do480#MandA #Finance #Motivation #STOIX

Growing up in South East London in the 70s and experiencing overt racism and hatred having been born in Bombay and moving to the UK aged 2.........A chip on his shoulder, or a flame to get to the top of Finance? 🔥Getting lucky. 🍀Making sacrifices. Working all hours of the day and the weekend. 😰The reality of being a big PLC and Private Equity CFO. 💥Becoming 'The Saviour' and making the tabloids at M&C Saatchi Group 😇#podcast #cfo #privateequity #finance📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaNKPdS05M0&t=148s

We’re very excited to welcome Alex Gersh, most recently, Chief Financial Officer at Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE), ex-CFO PaddyPowerBetfair (now Flutter Entertainment) and before, CFO at Sportradar Group to the latest episode of The STOIX Podcast! With over 30 years of diversified international financial experience across technology, consumer, digital, and eCommerce industries, Alex is truly a heavyweight name in the finance world.In this powerful conversation, Alex shares his deep insights on leadership, success, and navigating career challenges. From the importance of smart hiring and interviewing for success, to embracing failure, taking bold chances, and recognising the role of luck in a career – this episode is packed with useful insights for finance leaders.If you're looking to improve your hiring strategies or simply get inspired by a seasoned CFO, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcxUM4cQkwU

In this episode, we sit down with Carmela Borrotzu-Evans, Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations at Apexx Global, to dive into her career journey and gain invaluable advice for aspiring CFOs. Carmela shares her perspective on how to evaluate if a company or role is the right fit, the importance of having autonomy in your career, and the “green flags” to look for during an interview.Carmela also offers key advice for professionals preparing to step into their first CFO role, discussing the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned from her own experience. Whether you're aiming for the C-suite or looking to elevate your finance career, this episode is packed with practical insights and leadership wisdom.