Navigating CFO Challenges: Insights from Rowan Darling, CFO, Clemenger BBDO

In this episode of the Books in the Boardroom podcast, we kick off Season 3, CFO Catalyst, by diving into the world of Chief Financial Officers. Host Sumith explores financial leadership with Rowan Darling, CFO at Clemenger BBDO. They discuss Rowan's transition from audit to commercial operations, the impact of AI in finance, and balancing short-term results with long-term investments. Rowan shares insights on talent development, emphasizing that willingness to learn often outweighs technical skills. The conversation covers leadership growth and aligning individual career goals with organisational objectives.

00:00 Introduction: Skill vs. Will
00:12 Welcome to Season 3: CFOs in Focus
00:52 Meet Rowan Darling, CFO at Clemenger BBDO
01:16 Rowan's Journey: From Ernst Young to Clemenger
02:12 Understanding SOX Compliance
03:24 Roles and Responsibilities of a CFO
04:48 Transitioning from Audit to Commercial Operations
07:02 Mentorship and Continuous Learning
10:27 The Impact of AI and Automation
16:29 Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
23:52 Leadership and Team Development
25:35 Future Aspirations and Closing Remarks

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