S2, EP 23: Beyond the Balance Sheet: Vladen Potapenkov’s Global Path to CFO

In this episode, we sit down with Vladen Potapenkov, Chief Financial Officer at Nutrano Produce Group, to explore his remarkable 20-year journey through the global food and beverage industry. Born in Ukraine and raised in Russia, Vladen’s story is one of adaptability, curiosity, and leadership across continents.Beginning his career in a comprehensive graduate program with Agrana Fruit, Vladen quickly rose through a series of finance and operational roles across Europe before relocating to Australia - where he ultimately became CFO for the region. After 15 successful years at Agrana, he took on a new challenge within a Private Equity-backed company, continuing to drive transformation and growth.In this conversation, Vladen shares his pathway to CFO, his approach to leadership beyond finance, and how he’s led large-scale system implementations that deliver lasting impact. He discusses his belief in team-based leadership, how he’s helped stabilize even the most challenging teams, and his deep passion for mentoring and developing young talent.Whether you’re an aspiring finance leader, a people-focused executive, or someone fascinated by global business journeys, Vladen’s insights reveal what it truly means to lead with purpose, resilience, and a belief in people as the ultimate driver of success.

In this episode, we sit down with Mats Weiss, the dynamic CFO of Orro Group - a Swedish country boy whose journey from the golf course to the global finance stage is nothing short of remarkable.Starting his career at PwC in Sweden while playing professional golf, his path has taken him through leadership roles at global giants like Nike, Philip Morris, 20th Century Fox, and beyond. Along the way, he’s worked across Europe, Australia, and Asia Pacific - building a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and relentless curiosity.We explore his early days growing up in the southeast of Sweden, playing every sport imaginable - from tennis and handball to table tennis and volleyball - and how that foundation in teamwork and competition shaped his approach to leadership.From navigating the entertainment industry during Disney’s acquisition of Fox, to steering an ecommerce business through the chaos of COVID-19, and now leading financial strategy at Orro Group, this episode is a masterclass in leading through change, staying curious, and building a global career without losing your roots. Whether you're a finance professional, an aspiring leader, or just love a good origin story - this episode will inspire you to think bigger, stay agile, and never stop learning.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we sit down with Mats Weiss, the CFO of Orro Group, whose extraordinary journey from the countryside of Southeast Sweden to boardrooms across Europe, Australia, and Asia is nothing short of inspiring.A former professional golfer who launched his career at PwC while still competing on the fairways, our guest brings a unique blend of discipline, adaptability, and curiosity to everything he does. From roles at global giants like Nike - where he worked in their ice hockey division - to nearly a decade at Philip Morris, his path took a transformative turn when he joined 20th Century Fox. There, he rose rapidly through Nordic, ANZ, and Asia-Pacific finance leadership roles before relocating to Australia and later navigating the transition during Fox’s acquisition by Disney.Post-Fox, he took on the challenge of steering MYSALE Group through the turbulence of COVID-19 as CFO/COO and later returned to his Swedish roots with ICA Group before joining Orro Group.This episode is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and the power of staying curious - highlighting how a lifelong passion for sports, a global mindset, and a willingness to take bold career leaps can shape a remarkable professional journey.Whether you're a finance professional, aspiring leader, or someone navigating cross-cultural careers, this conversation offers practical insights and authentic inspiration.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we sit down with Lorenz Haefeli, the CFO of Bailey Nelson, a finance leader whose journey has taken him from Sydney’s Northern Beaches to the fast-paced world of automotive giants like Tesla and onto international optical retailer Bailey Nelson.Starting his career in audit at KPMG before making the leap to London, he’s since held finance roles across insurance, automotive distribution, and innovative retail. Along the way, he’s combined a passion for cars with a sharp commercial mindset to lead high-impact finance teams in both established and scaling businesses.Key highlights include:How an early foundation in audit built strong analytical and strategic thinkingWhat transitioning from insurance to automotive taught him about adaptabilityLessons from working at Subaru and Tesla—where passion meets precisionThe value of international experience early in a finance careerHis approach to aligning finance with business goals in a high-growth retail environmentThis episode is a must-listen for finance professionals interested in navigating cross-industry careers, leveraging personal passions, and driving strategic impact across global markets.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we sit down with Paul Bertie, a finance and operations leader who’s navigated a dynamic career across Australia and South Africa from growing up in the wine region just north of Cape Town, to leading transformational change in retail, ecommerce, and consumer goods.With a career that started in finance roles at Puma and Sunglass Hut, and evolved into high-impact leadership across global markets, Paul shares how embracing change, staying grounded, and thinking commercially have shaped his journey.Key highlights include:How his early roles in retail finance built the foundation for operational leadershipThe mindset shift from functional expert to business transformerLessons learned from working across wholesale, ecommerce, and retail mediaWhy cross-market experience (South Africa & Australia) sharpened his strategic edgeHis passion for purpose-driven leadership and building high-performance teamsThis episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a career in finance or operations and looking to lead with both clarity and impact.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we sat down with Shihara, who spent 14 years at Unilever and worked across an incredible 17 roles—rising from graduate to CFO.We explored what it takes to build a meaningful career and the mindset that helped her grow through every opportunity.Key highlights include:The power of saying yes to opportunities—even when they stretch you.Why she believes in “doing things that put you on the map.”Her mission to “leave behind a legacy” in every role she takes on.The importance of mentors and sponsors—especially those outside of finance.How embracing change and staying curious helped her navigate a dynamic career path.This episode is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration for anyone looking to grow their career with intention and impact.🎙️ It’s an energising listen—tune in now!

In this episode of Go To CFO, we’re joined by Cameron Mostyn, Head of Finance at Blackmores, for a conversation that blends technology, leadership, and purpose.Cameron shares how AI is reshaping the finance function, his approach to leading change through strategic storytelling, and why crafting your message to your audience is the key to making an impact. We also dive into his passion for supporting mental health initiatives, including his fundraising work for the Black Dog Institute.Packed with practical advice and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for finance leaders, change-makers, and anyone striving to lead with both head and heart.If you’re able, please consider donating to the Black Dog Institute and help make a real difference: Black Dog Institute - RLT EXPEDITION TEAM Completing The World's Hardest Events For Mental Health Research

In this special episode of the podcast, [axr] Finance & Accounting recruiters, Kunal Gupta and Dave Goldbach sat down to talk all this jobs, market trends, skills in demand and more! It's packed full of insights, as they talk through what will be the top skills in demand for accountants in 2025 and what you can do to level up in your career and make your next career move, the right one! It's a fantastic listen - tune in now!  

Back by popular demand - our review of the [axr] 2025 Salary Guide! In this episode, Dave Goldbach & Kunal Gupta give you a deep dive into our latest salary guide, including: What to expect from Finance & Accounting roles in 2025 How we’ve categorised the salaries and what the numbers meanSkills in demand for 2025 for finance and accounting professionals   What we are looking for as recruiters when recruiting these roles and how we refer back to this guide  How to level up in your career and make great career decisionsIt's a great listen, so tune in now, and don't forget to download our 2025 salary guide here: https://bit.ly/2025-salary-guide

In the latest epsiode of [axr]'s 'How To' career series Amanda Dinte, Zara Church and Amelia Kettle sat down to share their top tips for resigning effectively. Highlights include: The main reasons why someone leaves a role, including: access to opportunities they are not getting in their current role, lifestyle factors, along with company culture and a misalignment with management. Advice they would give to people wanting to make a move and why it’s important to explore all your options first before taking that leap of faith. The best way to have that conversation with your manager if you have decided to leave – approach the conversation rationally and level-headed. Be prepared. How to navigate a counteroffer and what it really means.If you're looking to make your next move, listen in now for some great advice!