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Connecting aspiring younger members with senior finance leaders of large organisations
In 2021, ICAEW piloted the Future Leaders programme to connect FTSE100 senior finance leaders with younger members, to share experiences and insight through group discussions. Following the pilot’s success and positive feedback received, we are excited to launch Inspiring Future Leaders 2023.
Our senior finance leaders will each host four, free, one-hour virtual roundtables over a three-month period. They will share their experiences, stories and insights with a small group of future leaders on different themes agreed in advance. Possible topics include work/life balance, career decisions, building resilience or leadership.
There will be two cohorts taking place. The first cohort will run from April to July, and the second from September to November.
At the end of the year, we will bring together the senior finance leaders and future leaders for a celebratory dinner at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, London.
A unique opportunity to gain insight from a CFO of a large organisation in a confidential environment.
Ask questions and benefit from invaluable practical advice.
Four, one-hour virtual roundtables on key topics to support and progress your career.
Meet your peers and share challenges in confidence.
The sessions gave great insight not only on the path to CFO, but also the paths of others at a similar stage of their careers. The sessions were well structured and touched upon topics including, being visible, resilience, management skills and even NED positions. It’s very different being able to speak to a senior finance leader outside of your organisation – ICAEW setting up such an opportunity was greatly appreciated.
ICAEW members who are:
Andy became the Group Chief Financial Officer of National Grid plc in December 2018. Prior to that he has held a number or senior finance leadership roles across the group including Group Financial Controller, UK CFO and, most recently, Group Tax and Treasury Director. Andy trained as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and spent several years working in different roles there before joining National Grid in 2008.
Sonia has had over 20 years’ experience working within the media industry. She qualified at KPMG and took her first step into industry working for the BBC. Following a period working as FD at WhatIf, a Creative Innovation Consultancy, Sonia returned to the BBC. She has since held a number of senior executive roles, from FD of the production and content businesses through to CFO of BBC Studios. Most recently Sonia had been in a Commercial Director role, where her focus was on business transformation, leading initiatives to grow the business globally.
Mike joined the Board as an Executive Director and Group Chief Financial Officer on 6 December 2021. Mike has extensive experience in the housebuilding sector, having spent seven years at Countryside Properties plc, serving as Group CFO since 2018. Prior to joining Countryside, Mike held a number of senior finance roles from 2010 until 2014 at J. Sainsbury Plc, including latterly as Head of Investor Relations. Mike is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, having qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in 2002.
Becky is the first female CFO for DHL Supply Chain UK&I. She leads a finance team of over 650, in a £4bn organisation, employing over 40,000 employees in the UK&I. She was part of the leadership team leading the business through Brexit and Covid and then stepped into the CFO role 2 years ago, managing through the more recent macro economic events. Becky has spent 21 years in DHL working across multiple divisions, sectors and roles, primarily across finance and commercial roles. Prior to DHL, she worked for EY London completing her ICAEW Chartered Accountancy qualification.
This initiative was an enriching experience. It was a privilege to be mentored by a FTSE 100 Group FD, who was engaging and open in sharing his journey, learnings and abundance of knowledge. It was also a unique opportunity to meet peers across different industries and share our challenges. Brilliant initiative and well organised, couldn’t recommend it more!
Taking part gave me the opportunity to share my life experiences with the next generation of leaders. I was able to share stories and insight that I learned from my previous mentors and gained throughout my career. It’s important to give back and the opportunity to network with younger ICAEW members was both fulfilling and rewarding.
Places are strictly limited and subject to a successful application
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, incorporated by Royal Charter RC000246 with registered office at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA
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