Most successful finance leaders aren’t born, they’re made through relentless learning, strategic career moves, and mastering the art of networking. In this episode, Chris Jeyakumar shares the rollercoaster journey from a humble ‘Reading Boy’ childhood to leading global brands like BMW, McLaren Automotive and Aon. His story is packed with eye-opening lessons on navigating corporate politics, embracing change, and turning every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Chris reveals how early setbacks, like struggling with chemistry or feeling out of place in unfamiliar industries, shaped his resilience and adaptability.

You'll discover the power of building a strong network, the importance of self-awareness in career decisions, and why taking on high-pressure projects accelerates learning faster than any classroom. His insights dispel the myth that success depends solely on technical skills, highlighting how emotional intelligence and trust-building are game-changers for leadership. We break down:

• How to strategically select roles that build your skills and credibility
• Why a diverse team sparks innovation and differing experiences challenge the status quo
• The critical role of mentorship and proactive learning in fast-tracking your career
• The importance of perseverance in a culture that demands deep commitment, and how to survive the intense days of rapid growth
• Transitioning between industries and starting from scratch without losing confidence

This episode underscores the importance of integrity, self-reflection, and intentional risk-taking. Too often, professionals wait for permission or perfect timing, Chris shows that forging your path requires guts, curiosity, and most importantly, you make your own luck. Perfect for aspiring leaders, ambitious finance professionals, or anyone ready to push beyond their comfort zone, this conversation equips you with actionable insights to grow your impact.

Guest Chris Jeyakumar is a proven leader with over 20 years of experience transforming businesses, from high-performance automotive to global financial services. His leadership philosophy centres on trust, personality, and embracing change, principles that have propelled him to the top of his field.

Most finance leaders focus on the technical side of their role, until they realise the real game-changer is mastering the art of soft skills. Hugh O'Neill shares how curiosity, active listening, and emotional intelligence transformed his journey from Dublin accountant to innovative tech advisor, proving that leadership in finance is less about numbers and more about understanding people.

In this episode, Hugh reveals why the true power lies in asking questions rather than assuming you already know the answers. You'll discover how navigating the grey areas of subjective judgment, embracing change with humility, and cultivating psychological safety are essential for leading high-performing teams. We break down stories from his varied career, moving from audit to industry, managing cross-functional teams, and now advising CFOs on technology—highlighting the critical moments where soft skills made all the difference. We’ll explore:

• The importance of curiosity and asking the right questions in leadership
• How early influences and extracurricular activities shape leadership values
• The role of emotional intelligence in fostering trust and aligning teams
• Practical insights on managing change and developing resilience
• The impact of soft skills on career advancement and team success

You'll also learn why the discipline learned in early education with public speaking, extracurricular activities, and resilience, laid the foundation for Hugh's leadership approach. Whether you're a young finance pro or a seasoned leader, this episode provides practical insights on how to foster trust, align teams during change, and develop the emotional intelligence needed for scaling success.

Perfect for finance leaders aiming to elevate their impact, or professionals seeking to thrive in the fast-evolving landscape, Hugh’s stories will inspire you to harness the power of curiosity and empathy. Tune in to understand why being a great leader is about much more than technical mastery, it's about connecting deeply, listening intently, and leading with purpose.

Hugh O’Neill is a finance expert at FloQast, known for transforming the way finance teams modernise and manage change. With a rich background from Dublin to London, and extensive experience across industries, Hugh’s insights cut through the noise to reveal the human side of finance leadership.

Most finance leaders never realise how foundational and impactful our early experiences are on us. Kevin Manners’s journey from building sites in Watford to leading finance teams at McLaren Automotive and Ineos Grenadier, reveals the lessons that shape authentic, resilient leadership, lessons often learned through mistakes, high-stakes turns, and bold risks.

In this candid episode, Kevin shares how working alongside his electrician father instilled core values of hard work and value for money, principles that propelled him from a childhood in North London to the cutting edges of automotive innovation. Hear how starting his career analysing receipts on day one laid the groundwork for mastering problem-solving, people management, and navigating organisational politics, skills that proved vital in scaling companies like McLaren during its explosive growth phase.

Discover how Kevin’s willingness to take calculated risks, like stepping into a six-month McLaren contract that turned into several transformative years, can inspire you to embrace uncertainty and leverage it for success. We break down the subtle art of leadership shadow and influence, why creating psychological safety accelerates growth, and how navigating complex industry shifts, such as the FCA’s crackdown on short-term lenders, taught him resilience and strategic agility. We’ll explore:

• The importance of foundational skills like Excel troubleshooting and their unexpected impact on leadership.
• The power of culture and leadership style in shaping organisational behaviour.
• How to manage political dynamics with subtlety and authenticity.
• The critical role of systems thinking in strategic decision-making—especially when unwinding complex, costly initiatives.

Kevin’s story underscores: staying true to yourself, embracing failure as a pathway to growth, and the importance of creating environments where people can learn from mistakes without fear, lessons every aspiring CFO or finance leader needs today. Whether you’re navigating your own career inflection point or facing industry upheaval, Kevin’s insights are your blueprint for sustained leadership excellence.

Perfect for finance professionals aiming to lead with authenticity, disrupt with purpose, and turn challenges into opportunities. This episode is your call to action: how will you craft your own story of bold decisions and impactful leadership? Kevin Manners is a seasoned finance executive with extensive experience across automotive engineering, private equity, and financial services. His gritty, hands-on background shapes his authentic approach to leadership and strategic growth.