Key Takeaways with Abida Lalani
For the latest episode in our “Key Takeaways with” series, Chris sat down with Abida Lalani, former Director of Strategy and Transformation & Executive Board Member at Costain Group PLC, and previously at HSBC, KPMG UK and Lloyds Banking Group, to explore how leaders can create not just results, but enduring value.
They discuss:
š¹ What value creation really means in practice
š¹ How to balance operational excellence with human-centred leadership
š¹ Why transformation must extend beyond performance to legacy.
Abida shares her unique perspective with powerful insights on integrity-driven change and how leaders can navigate uncertainty while building organisations, and outcomes, that last.
The Evolving Role of a UK CFO
The role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in the UK is undergoing significant evolution, expanding beyond traditional financial responsibilities to become a strategic partner in driving business growth and decision-making. The biggest challenge for a CFO is navigating the complex and often unpredictable financial landscape, which requires balancing short-term financial health with long-term strategic goals.
1% For The Planet
As a certified member of 1% for the Planet, Drake Darcy | Horton International – UK commit to donating 1% of our total revenues to environmental causes.
The Uk, Innovation and the Global Food Crisis
Matt speaks to Jim Totty, one of the UK’s first and best known cleantech investors, about the role of UK start-ups in bringing world class innovation to theĀ sector. As well as renewables, energy storage and electric mobility, he highlights decarbonisation technologies and the emerging importance of tech in the food and agricultural industry.
Are We Going to be Known as the Age of Pollution?
Matt speaks to Jim Totty, one of the UK’s first and best known cleantech investors, about the role of UK start-ups in bringing world class innovation to theĀ sector. As well as renewables, energy storage and electric mobility, he highlights decarbonisation technologies and the emerging importance of tech in the food and agricultural industry.
The Environmental Impact of Wildfires
Matt speaks to telecoms entrepreneur-turned-climate pioneer Carsten Brinkschulte about his solution for early detection of wildfires, one of the planet’s worst emitters of CO2, as well as having a devastating impact on natural habitats and biodiversity. Dryad Networks aims to help reduce the impact using machine learning and telecoms infrastructure.
Key Takeaways with Premal Parekh
Premal Parekh shares his perspectives from a CFO. Prem was most recently a Divisional FD/CFO at LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) and Refinitiv, an LSEG business prior to which he was a Finance Director at CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) and Berkeley Group Plc.
We discuss:
His earliest experiences of work and why he chose a career in accounting & finance.
One of the most challenging lessons heās learned in his career so far.
Which skills are important for finance leaders to learn/maintain in a world of generative AI/automation and how to keep up.
His advice for anyone who is early or mid-career in finance.
Who has been his biggest source of inspiration.
What he is most passionate about professionally
Key Takeaways with Ed Guest
Ed is the Group COO and CFO at UNLIMITED who previously held CFO appointments at LOC Group, DTZ and Ogilvy.
He shares his insights in a variety of areas including: transitioning from CFO to COO & CFO, his recently written Productivity Playbook, harnessing AI, Machine Learning and Automation, UNLIMITED’s Human Understanding Lab.
Key Takeaways with Mark Leruste
Mark is a leadership and communications expert as well as the best-selling author of Glow in the Dark. He is on a mission to help entrepreneurs and business leaders impact the world with their story by embracing courageous vulnerability.
We discuss: the importance of authenticity in the corporate world., his advice for anyone who is hesitant about āputting themself out thereā, the benefits of sharing our personal stories in a business or professional context.
Key Takeaways with Karin Meurk-Harvey
Karin is the Chief Commercial Officer at Smart DCC and a Non-Executive Director at Rotork plc. She previously held key leadership roles at Vodafone, EE, Anite and Ericsson.
We discuss: her experiences of overcoming barriers as an ethnic, female in the Technology sector, changes in leadership styles to accept gender and ethnic equality, her advice for women in earlier stages of their careers.
