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