Q: Let’s start at the beginning - what drew you to finance, and how did that path eventually lead you to CloserStill?

Sam: I’ve always liked numbers, but funnily enough, I originally wanted to be a vet! When that didn’t work out, studying finance and accountancy at university felt like the natural next step. I was fortunate to land an internship with KPMG, which led to a place on their graduate programme and really shaped the direction of my career. I then explored a bit of tax and account management before moving into ‘the real world’, having had the opportunity to work in a few different types of companies from medium size to FTSE 100 Plc. I joined CloserStill where I’ve been for over 9 years now. I’ve really enjoyed developing the finance team to make a difference to the business, which is something I find genuinely rewarding.

Q: Finance Week kicks off this week. Can you give us an overview of what the initiative is and why it was created? 

Sam: We created Finance Week after the pandemic, mainly because our team had grown and having to learn all the new systems training online was tough. Bringing everyone together in Coventry allowed for more effective face-to-face learning and knowledge sharing.

Q: Why is Finance Week important - not just for the finance team but for the whole organisation?

Sam: A big focus during Finance Week is on how we work with the wider business and how we can support them more effectively. We look at how to be more responsive and how to ensure what we’re delivering is not just raw data, but meaningful information. That’s one of the key messages we try to instil across the teams: taking data, turning it into insight, and presenting it in a way that helps drive smart decision-making. Another big theme is priority management. Like many teams, we’re dealing with a lot all at once. So, we also try to help people step back, see the bigger picture, and focus on what really matters, both from a finance perspective and in terms of how we help the business moving forward.

Q: What’s one misconception other departments might have about the role of finance within the company?

Sam: That finance are the people who say ‘no’. And to be fair, sometimes we are. But we are certainly not against spending. Actually, we’re very supportive of investment, but it has to be the right investment. Come to us with a clear business case and let us help you make a financially sound decision.

Q: What does a typical day as CFO look like?

Sam: I spend a lot of time meeting with people, whether that’s in person, over the phone, or catching up with the team to ensure everything is on track. A key part of my role is external reporting, mainly with the month end results but also the quarterly forecasts and budgets and cashflow forecasts. As you’d expect in a large global company, there’s always significant cash movement, whether for acquisitions or shifting funds between countries. I also work closely with the business to understand trading, forecasts and budgets, and review opportunities. We then translate that into clear, actionable insights to support the business in making profitable decisions.  

Q: What brings you joy within your role? 

Sam: For me, it’s always the people. In every job I’ve had, that’s been the constant, but I’ve never worked anywhere quite like CloserStill. The passion and energy here are unmatched. Everyone is accountable and genuinely contributes. That sense of ownership is motivating, and the people who thrive here really embrace that.

Q: What does good collaboration between finance and the business look like to you?

Sam: When I first joined CloserStill, the finance team was quite isolated, based in Coventry, mainly focused on paying bills and with little interaction with the rest of the business. Over time, we’ve grown the team and built more opportunities for finance to collaborate closely with other departments. Today, I’d say the relationship is genuinely strong. I know this because the business now reaches out early on, saying, ‘I want to make a change - what do you think?’ That kind of proactive involvement reflects real trust and partnership.

Q: How do you keep your team engaged, especially during high-pressure periods liked month-end? 

Sam: Motivation can definitely dip during busy times, and we introduced Finance Week to help combat this. It really helps break the routine, bring people together, and remind everyone why we do what we do. Another way to do that is by encouraging the team to attend our shows. For anyone in finance, seeing the end product is so powerful. It turns the spreadsheets into something real. It gives context, clarity, and makes you better at your job. It brings everything to life.

Q: What’s next for the finance team? Are there any big priorities or transformations on the horizon?

Sam: Our big focus right now is efficiency and giving people more time to focus on value-adding tasks. We’re working on a major reporting project aimed at automating as much as possible and moving towards self-serve reporting. With the business constantly growing, the demand for fast, accurate information keeps increasing. Back in the day, I didn’t need reports, I just knew the numbers. But now, with so many events, it’s no longer possible to keep track like that. So, the goal is to integrate all our systems into one reporting tool, ideally at the touch of a button. We can then use this to benchmark shows against each other which is exciting because it can allow us to finally answer, ‘why is this being done more efficiently over there?’.

Olivia: What advice would you give to early-career professionals in finance? 

Sam: Just get in there! Ask questions, have goals, and make the most of everything.