In this episode, Books to the Boardroom had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Edwards , CFO at Perfection Fresh Australia , who shared his remarkable journey from aspiring tradesman to finance leader. Andrew's career path took him through BP's global operations, where he developed the communication skills and inquisitive mindset that became his defining strengths. We explored how Andrew navigated becoming a management accountant by 24, his philosophy of " don't avoid the risk, manage the risk...
Jul 05, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 14
"Understanding the problem puts you 50% of the way to addressing it." In this episode of Books of the Boardroom , Season Three of the CFO Catalyst Podcast, host Sumith welcomes Simon Turner , CFO and ELT member with nearly three decades of experience in finance. Simon shares insights from his unique career path, from serving on nuclear missile submarines in the Royal Navy to becoming a CFO. They discuss leadership, the importance of addressing problems head-on, the evolution of data analytics, t...
Jun 29, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode of ' Books of the Boardroom ' podcast, Sumith chats with Andre Luchesi , Group CFO at Westpork and DBC in Western Australia. Andre's got a really interesting story - from corporate life to running his own ice cream business in Brazil and back to the CFO world. Andre talks about how economic cycles really work, why understanding the big picture macro stuff matters so much for CFOs, and how scooping ice cream taught him more about business empathy than any boardroom ever could. The...
Jun 23, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode of the CFO Catalyst Podcast, host Sumith welcomes Winston Abeyeratne , CFO at Conference Group in South Australia. Winston shares his immigration journey, starting 12 years ago, and his career transition from audit trainee at KPMG in Sri Lanka to various roles in the finance sector in Australia. He discusses the importance of backing statements with numbers, the challenges of working with high-net-worth individuals, and provides advice for new migrants and aspiring CFOs on buildi...
Jun 08, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Navigating the People-Centric Transformation in Finance In this episode of the Books to the Boardroom , season three of the CFO Catalyst Podcast, host Sumith is joined by Ben Edmonds , CFO at Alberts in Sydney. The conversation covers Ben's career journey from an early interest in tourism management to becoming a CFO, highlighting the influence of his father and his practical experiences in various financial roles. Ben emphasises the transformative nature of the CFO role, the importance of peopl...
Jun 01, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Leadership Insights: Navigating the Modern CFO Role with Christina Temme In this episode of the Books to the Boardroom CFO Catalyst podcast, we speak with Christina Temme , CFO at AC3 in Sydney. Christina shares her extensive experience in finance, legal, and compliance, discussing the evolving scope of the CFO role and the importance of logic, decision-making, and embracing change. She highlights her journey through a solo backpacking adventure, her passion for mathematics, and her strategies f...
May 15, 2025•31 min
In this episode of the CFO Catalyst Podcast , host Sumith welcomes David Hill, CFO of Mosh . They delve into the unchanging fundamentals of business and the evolving tools and skills required for successful financial leadership. David shares his unique journey from childhood entertainer to top finance executive, discussing the importance of critical thought, communication, and problem-solving in the CFO role. They also explore the democratisation of finance, the impact of AI and digital transfor...
May 07, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Adapting to Change: Lifelong Learning and Technological Advancement with Luke Howes In this episode of the Books of the Boardroom podcast, season three of CFO Catalyst , the host interviews Luke Howes, CFO at Six Degrees Executive . They discuss the importance of lifelong learning and curiosity in both personal and professional development. Luke shares insights into the values-led and relationship-driven approach of Six Degrees Executive, as well as the significance of serving all stakeholders, ...
Apr 29, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode of the Books to the Boardroom Podcast, Season Three CFO Catalyst , I welcomed Scott Walkinshaw, CFO of New North Feed , Western Australia's largest vehicle equipment, transport, and crane company. Scott shared how businesses face tremendous pressure today - squeezed between clients demanding more for less and staff wanting flexible arrangements. Technology is the key to doing more without adding overhead. Scott had a fascinating journey, including meeting the Queen at 19 as an ap...
Apr 18, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Join host Sumith and guest Manuel Nesta, a senior finance professional based in Perth, Australia. Manuel shares insights from his career journey and current role as CFO at Acquire, a software company specialising in natural resources and ESG compliance. Key points: The evolution of finance from transaction processing to strategic advisory Digital transformation and automation in finance departments How AI is revolutionizing financial processes and decision-making The growing importance of ESG re...
Apr 12, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In the latest episode of the Boardroom Podcast's CFO Catalyst series, host Sumith welcomes Martin Gyde , an experienced CFO from New Zealand who calls himself "the Gordon Ramsay of Finance." Martin shares his journey from aspiring policeman to senior financial professional, influenced by his father, a former retail CEO. With his competitive nature shaped by a background in high-level rugby and tennis, Martin brings a refreshingly direct approach to financial leadership. After 25 years in CFO and...
Apr 05, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Navigating the Finance Role in the Era of AI: Insights from Jarrod Magee, CFO of Sapia.ai In this episode of "Books of the Boardroom Podcast" (Season 3: CFO Catalyst), host Smith dives deep with Jarrod Magee, CFO of Sapia.ai, exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the finance function. Jarrod shares his journey from Deloitte consultant to C-suite executive, revealing the challenges and pivotal decisions that shaped his career. Get an insider's look at Sapia.ai’s cutting-edge recru...
Mar 21, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Auditing with EY's Madhu Nair In this episode of the Books of the Boardroom podcast, host Sumith talks with Madhu Nair, Partner at EY Australia, who brings nearly three decades of experience in the accounting profession. Madhu takes us on his professional journey from handwritten ledgers in India to becoming a Partner at one of the Big Four firms. He shares how his accountant father inspired his career choice and reflects on the satisfaction he's found stayin...
Mar 15, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 3
From Dreams of Acting to Leading Finance - The Journey of Ilona Abram In this episode of Books in the Boardroom podcast, Ilona Abram shares her unconventional journey from aspiring actress to Group CFO at Aquatic Achievers Group. Hosted by Sumith, Ilona delves into her diverse career path, including her roles in HR, IT, and risk procurement beyond traditional finance. The discussion covers her experiences with significant business growth, mergers, and acquisitions, as well as her strategic appro...
Mar 08, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 2
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 sk...
Mar 02, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Patrick Kerlin, CFO of One Door Mental Health, discusses the organisation's work and his journey to joining them, highlighting the importance of a purpose-driven approach and empowering teams to make decisions. He emphasises that finance should serve as a support function and underscores the value of listening to the team. Reflecting on his early career, Patrick shares his experience of standing up for honesty and integrity, a principle he deems crucial in the finance profession. We explore the ...
Jul 01, 2024•30 min
In this enlightening episode of Books to the Boardroom , we sit down with Tracey-Lee Napier, CEO and Company Director of Holistic Lifestyle Services . Tracey-Lee shares her remarkable journey in the disability sector, providing insights into the valuable services her company offers and the importance of building a robust team culture. Tracey-Lee emphasises the significance of recognising the value of each team member and fostering a culture of effective communication and problem-solving. Her pas...
Jun 28, 2024•34 min
In this exciting episode of Books to the Boardroom, we sit down with Gabriel (GG) Guedes , the dynamic COO & CFO of Lyka , a trailblazing company delivering human-grade meals on subscription to dogs across Australia. Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, Gabriel's journey is as inspiring as it is diverse. With a background in engineering and a master’s degree from Italy, he transitioned into the world of management consulting before embracing his entrepreneurial spirit at Lyka. Gabriel shares his ...
Jun 03, 2024•37 min
Join us this week on Books to the Boardroom podcast as we welcome Kamy Brar , Director of Finance & Operations (CFO) at The Entourage . Kamy shares his incredible journey from starting as a trainee to becoming a leading figure at The Entourage, where they coach entrepreneurs and business owners on how to work on their business, not just in their business. In this episode, Kamy recounts a memorable experience as a passionate Liverpool FC fan, illustrating the power of passion, determination a...
May 23, 2024•42 min
Step into the world of financial leadership with us in this exclusive episode of Books to the Boardroom, featuring Tim Bensley , the esteemed CFO of Carpet Call. Tim brings a wealth of expertise in finance, strategic planning, and business operations, making this episode essential listening for financial professionals and aspiring leaders alike. Throughout his career, Tim has demonstrated a keen ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, driving growth and optimising performance in dynami...
Mar 13, 2024•39 min
Join us for this week's episode of Books to the Boardroom, featuring Tony Berry , the dynamic Business Development Manager and Owner of Tidy Up . Tony brings a wealth of entrepreneurial expertise and strategic vision to the table, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring business leaders and seasoned professionals alike. Through his journey as an entrepreneur, Tony has navigated the challenges of building and scaling a successful business, gaining invaluable insights along the way. From id...
Mar 13, 2024•38 min
In this episode of Books to the Boardroom, we have the privilege of welcoming Kate Carruthers , the esteemed Head of Business Intelligence and Chief Data & Insights Officer at UNSW, as this week's guest speaker. With her extensive expertise in data-driven decision-making, technology, and leadership, Kate brings a wealth of insights that are invaluable for today's business leaders. Throughout her impressive career, Kate has spearheaded initiatives to harness the power of data and analytics to...
Mar 13, 2024•38 min
In this episode of Books to the Boardroom, we are thrilled to welcome Jacob Muraca , the accomplished COO/CFO of Bondi Sands, as our esteemed guest speaker. With his extensive experience in finance, operations, and strategic leadership, Jacob brings a wealth of knowledge and insights that are invaluable for today's business leaders. Throughout his career, Jacob has demonstrated a remarkable ability to drive growth, optimize processes, and lead teams to success. Join us as we delve into his journ...
Mar 13, 2024•31 min
In this episode of "Books to the Boardroom," we are honoured to welcome Lorraine Finlay as our distinguished guest speaker. Lorraine brings a wealth of expertise in constitutional law, human rights, and public policy, making her insights invaluable for leaders navigating complex challenges in today's dynamic world. Drawing from her extensive background and diverse experiences, Lorraine delves into key topics relevant to leadership development and organisational strategy. From her work as a legal...
Mar 13, 2024•39 min
In this insightful episode of "Books to the Boardroom," we are honoured to host Rimma Gayfullina, the financial controller at GoSee. Recognised as the 2022 New Zealand Emerging Finance Manager, she has an extraordinary story that begins in Eastern Russia. It's here that her fascination with international accounting emerged. In our discussion, Rimma unfolds her transformative journey, emphasising how her academic pursuits in accounting expanded her outlook, underscoring the vital role of a global...
Jan 15, 2024•39 min
Welcome to Books to the Boardroom podcast, where we delve into the essence of leadership through the stories of remarkable individuals. In this episode, we're honored to host Peter Nijmeijer , the CFO at Heritage Lifecare. Peter's journey is a tale of unexpected turns and valuable lessons. It all began with his deep connection to music, particularly the piano, which he recently rediscovered as a source of relaxation and focus. However, what truly set Peter on his path were two pivotal moments. F...
Nov 28, 2023•36 min•Ep. 99
Step into the world of leadership with Sigal Pilli , the Chief Financial Officer of Seer Medical, on this week's episode of Books to the Boardroom. Sigal's journey is nothing short of remarkable, and she's here to share her experiences and leadership insights. Nearly two decades ago, Sigal immigrated to Australia with her partner and three children, embarking on a profound adventure filled with challenges and triumphs. Her early exposure to leadership dynamics occurred when she accompanied her f...
Nov 28, 2023•37 min
Embark on an inspiring leadership journey as we delve into the remarkable career of Denice Bennett , Group CFO of Third Age Health , in this week's episode of Books to the Boardroom. Denice's journey is a striking testament to her exceptional leadership acumen, one that originated in a completely different realm—working with a London-based karaoke company. Her story showcases her remarkable ability to recognise and seize unanticipated opportunities, steering them towards transformation. What tru...
Nov 20, 2023•44 min
We're thrilled to host Anthony Quinn , Founder of Arctic Intelligence and Co-Founder of AML Accelerate. Originally from the UK, Anthony's journey is a testament to resilience. Facing sponsorship challenges during his gap year in Australia, he turned setbacks into opportunities, ultimately creating a unique path back. His corporate experience includes roles at major banks like Goldman Sachs, Westpac, ING and Macquarie, where he juggled entrepreneurship while bootstrapping his own business. In 201...
Nov 13, 2023•43 min•Ep. 97
We are absolutely ecstatic to have our very first guest speaker from the USA with us today – please give a warm and exhilarating welcome to Judy Farcus Serra , the brilliant CFO of Headquarter Automotive ! Judy is a prominent figure in the automotive industry in Florida, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to excellence. As the CFO, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the financial health and growth of the group's multiple dealerships, which include well-known brand...
Nov 06, 2023•39 min•Ep. 96
