- Event: Finance Forum 25
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Session Chair: Alistair Roman
- Speakers: Olaide Olunloyo (Head of Finance, Jesus House), Helen Morgan (FD, Character.com & ACCA Global Council Member)
- Estimated read time: 5–6 minutes
Quick Summary
How can finance leaders evolve from controllers of data to creators of value?
At last year’s Finance Forum, three senior finance professionals explored the shift from financial reporting and control to strategic clarity, technology adoption, and human-centered leadership.
From risk management and governance to digital transformation and mentoring the next generation, this in-depth discussion reveals how modern CFOs and finance teams can thrive in a changing financial environment.
A New Era for Finance Leadership
Modern finance leaders are operating in a transformed world. With digital transformation reshaping financial planning, and finance teams expected to contribute to broader business strategy, the role of the CFO has never been more complex or influential.
At the Finance Forum in London, Alistair Roman led a session titled Transforming Finance Leadership: Redefining the Role for a Changing World. Joined by Olaide Olunloyo and Helen Morgan, the discussion focused on how finance leadership is evolving beyond control and reporting into a function defined by clarity, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
From Control to Clarity
The session began by asking what effective finance leadership means today. Olaide described the shift as moving “from control to clarity” explaining that leaders now need to provide insight and interpretation rather than simply ensure compliance.
Finance, she said, must communicate clearly across all departments, enabling informed decisions through accessible financial data. “The days of being the smartest person in the room are gone. Our job is to create environments for smart conversations and better decisions.”
Helen agreed, adding that the finance function has become central to business growth through finance business partnering and financial strategy. Finance professionals, she said, “are now trusted advisors who help shape direction and deliver value, not just report on it.”
Together, the speakers made it clear that the evolution from control to clarity lies at the heart of modern finance leadership. It is about financial fluency, transparency, and using financial insights to influence at a strategic level.
From CFO to CVO: The Value Shift
Helen noted that the CFO’s remit is expanding into the realm of value creation, a shift often described as the rise of the Chief Value Officer. The modern finance leader is expected to champion long-term financial planning, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement, while also managing core financial operations.
Olaide added that this evolution demands new personal qualities. “Curiosity and courage” she said, “are essential for today’s leaders. We need to stay curious about how we can create value, and have the courage to take decisions that drive change.”
Both speakers highlighted that this transformation requires strategic thinking and a willingness to challenge legacy practices. Finance must now play a leading role in shaping corporate finance strategy, helping organisations build resilience and adaptability in uncertain markets.
Balancing Governance and Innovation
Governance remains a central pillar of finance, but innovation is increasingly vital to maintaining agility and competitive advantage. The challenge is how to keep both in balance.
Drawing from her experience in the charity sector, Olaide explained that strong governance does not restrict innovation; it enables it. “Governance gives innovation roots, and innovation gives governance the wings to fly” she said. “The key is creating a culture where both coexist.”
Helen added that risk management frameworks should not limit creativity, but guide it. “You’ll always have your framework, your bottom line, your compliance” she said. “The question is, how can we do that without stifling innovation? We want structure, not restriction.”
Alistair expanded on this idea, explaining that finance is moving beyond simple financial accounting into a more predictive, forward-looking function. He described “autonomous finance” as the next stage of evolution, where technology anticipates issues before they arise. This, he said, is the future of financial analytics and financial strategy.
Building Resilience in Finance Teams
Resilience emerged as one of the defining themes of the session. Both Olaide and Helen agreed that a successful finance team depends on psychological safety, open communication, and shared learning.
Olaide urged finance leaders to create a culture where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn. “If we create an environment where people feel safe to fail, we build resilience” she said. “I love the idea that FAIL means ‘First Attempt in Learning’. When teams see failure this way, they innovate faster and grow stronger.”
Helen added that resilience comes from continuous development and access to the right tools. “If your team doesn’t have the systems they need, you hold them back” she said. “When we implemented a new ERP system, we cut our month-end by half. That investment gave us time to analyse and focus on strategic outcomes.”
For both speakers, resilient finance teams are built not just on financial skills, but on trust, empowerment, and a shared sense of purpose.
Technology and Financial Transformation
Technology featured heavily in the discussion as a catalyst for leadership transformation. Helen described how digital transformation initiatives have redefined her role. “Technology is at the forefront of how you drive your team forward” she said. “Whether it’s data analytics or automation, we need to understand what’s out there and how it benefits the business.”
Olaide echoed her point. “Tech is here to stay” she said. “We can’t hide behind ‘I don’t like AI.’ The question is how we use financial technology to lead better.”
Both agreed that automation and AI are not threats, but tools that enhance financial planning and decision-making. By improving efficiency, technology allows finance leaders to focus on strategic planning and value creation, rather than routine reporting.
Alistair cautioned that digital tools alone are not enough. “Transformation fails when technology is rolled out without the right skills or process changes” he said. “You need alignment between people, data, and technology. Only then does digital transformation deliver real value.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
The panel also addressed how finance leaders can prepare future generations for leadership. Helen admitted that understanding younger professionals can be challenging but essential. “This generation wants purpose, flexibility, and mobility” she said. “They see finance as a platform for entrepreneurship and impact.”
Olaide agreed that finance leaders must move from management to mentorship. “They don’t want managers. They want mentors” she said. “Give them a voice. Show them that their ideas matter.”
The conversation highlighted how the next generation values financial acumen combined with ethical leadership and innovation. Finance leaders must therefore foster environments where learning is continuous and diverse perspectives are encouraged.
Helen observed that many young professionals now look to influencers and digital voices for inspiration, not traditional hierarchies. “If that’s where they look for guidance” she said, “we need to be those influencers within our own organisations.”
The future of finance leadership will depend not just on data and strategy, but on human connection and mentorship.
Rethinking Perfection and Empowerment
When asked what they wished they had known earlier in their careers, both speakers reflected on personal growth.
Olaide shared that the pursuit of perfection often holds finance professionals back. “There’s always pressure to be perfect, but expertise comes from progression, not perfection” she said. “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you probably have the wrong team.”
Helen echoed that sentiment, referencing author Mel Robbins’ simple leadership philosophy: Let them. “Let your team do things. Don’t try to control everything. Different perspectives strengthen the team, and the more they learn, the more effective the organisation becomes.”
Alistair added that openness to learning remains the defining quality of effective leadership. “Be willing to learn and adapt” he said. “That’s how you develop as a leader and as a person.”
THRIVE: The Future Model of Finance Leadership
Looking to the future, Olaide introduced an acronym that perfectly summarised the mindset needed to succeed as a modern finance leader: THRIVE.
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Trust: Build trust across departments through transparency and consistency.
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Humanity: Lead with empathy and remember that finance is about people as much as numbers.
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Resilience: Stay calm and adaptable in changing financial environments.
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Innovation: Use technology and financial analytics to drive smarter decision-making.
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Value Creation: Move beyond financial reporting to lead business growth.
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Ethics: Maintain integrity and accountability in all financial strategy decisions.
These principles, she explained, will define the next generation of finance leaders who can balance governance, digital innovation, and humanity in equal measure.
A Profession Redefined
The discussion closed on a forward-looking note. Finance, once seen as reactive and numbers-driven, has become a dynamic and influential force shaping the organisation’s future.
As Alistair concluded, “Finance is arguably the most exciting function to be in right now. Between AI, data, sustainability, and strategy, this is where the future is happening.”
The panel agreed that finance leaders who embrace clarity, technology, and mentorship will continue to elevate their organisations. The future of finance leadership lies in partnership, purpose, and progress, not perfection.
For CFOs and finance executives, the message was clear: lead with clarity, empower your teams, and embrace innovation. Success in this new era of finance will depend on your ability to combine financial data, strategic insight, and human leadership to create long-term value.
Speakers
Alistair Roman FCCA, Session Chair, International CFO, Ex John Lewis Partnership. Alistair is a UK based strategic CFO and finance transformation leader, with senior roles spanning John Lewis Partnership, Virgin Media O2, BP, and VeriSign Inc.
Olaide Olunloyo, Head of Finance, Jesus House. Olaide leads finance for a London based charity, focusing on financial sustainability, resource allocation, and compliance, she is an ACCA Fellow, charity accounting specialist, and trained financial coach.
Helen Morgan FCCA MBA, Finance Director, Character.com, ACCA Global Council Member. Helen is Finance Director at Character.com, an experienced Non Executive Director and Trustee Treasurer at Citizens Advice Bureau, with a background across retail, telecoms, tech, financial services, and membership organisations.
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Technology → Strategy → Leadership
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Olaide Olunloyo and Helen Morgan on evolving finance leadership, moving beyond control to value creation, using tech, trust, and mentoring.