Inspiring the Next Generation of CFOs: Insights from Sharp Consultancy at Deloitte’s Leadership Event

​Last Thursday 6th February Sharp Consultancy were kindly invited by Andrew Ward and James Izzard of Deloitte in Leeds to attend their Next Generation CFO Programme as Guest Speakers and to present on The Journey to Becoming a CFO – The Recruiter’s Perspective. ​Michael Ball and Lee Sweeney, both Partners in Sharp Consultancy’s, The CFO Partnership undertook the wonderful task. ​We asked Mike for his thoughts:"It was a wonderful experience presenting to some of the most inspirational Financial Controllers and Financial Directors in the region. The ambitious group of delegates will surely populate the board rooms of many of Yorkshire’s and the UK’s finest businesses in years to come and it was a privilege for Lee and I to share our experiences of what is needed to transition in to a first class CFO. Thank you, Andrew Ward and James Izzard, for the kind invitation"​Lee added:​​"As recruiters, there is often a misconception that conducting an executive search for a client is the sum total of our service offering. The reality is quite the contrary at Sharp Consultancy and The CFO Partnership. Working with individuals to support and advise them through their career journey is one of the most satisfying aspects of our roles. I would invite anyone currently on that path to contact us if they would like any further support"​The journey to becoming a CFO is one that requires dedication, strategic career moves, and continuous development. Events like the Next Generation CFO Programme provide invaluable opportunities for aspiring finance leaders to gain insights, build networks, and refine their approach to leadership. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, those who embrace learning and adaptability will be best positioned for success. ​Are you looking to strengthen your team with top-tier finance and accountancy professionals? At Sharp Consultancy, we excel in connecting your business with exceptional talent for temporary, interim, or permanent roles. With our well-established offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our experienced consultants are dedicated to serving businesses across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't leave your recruitment needs to chance—contact us TODAY and let's find the perfect candidates to drive your business forward.

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HOW TO PROMOTE FROM WITHIN

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​There are many positive reasons from both an employer and employee perspective when it comes to promoting individuals from within an organisation. For dedicated and talented members of the team it provides clear career progression routes and encourages higher levels of staff retention; in addition, these individuals are motivated and have an in-depth understanding of the business as well as established relationships with clients, customers and colleagues.

However, it is worth remembering that someone who excels at their job, may not necessarily be suitable for a managerial role and, similarly, the best managers are not always – or have been – the top performers within the teams that they now lead.

What is vitally important when it comes to promoting from within an organisation is recognising the qualities that are needed to make the step into a managerial role. It is also essential to appreciate that the manager route is not for everyone - or that more time is needed – and have in place alternative progression routes, training or mentoring to enable those with potential to receive the additional support they need to make a move up.

Key qualities to look for when promoting from within:

  • Communication: do they display good communication skills and are they able to communicate well with people at different levels throughout the organisation?

  • Leadership: are they someone who leads by example, is motivated and proactive in their approach? Do they encourage and support others that they work with?

  • Time management and organisation: do they organise their time well to ensure workloads are manageable and deadlines are achieved? Can they see the bigger picture and have an appreciation of different priorities and responsibilities?

  • Teamwork: do they work well within a team? How will they make the adjustment to managing those they had previously worked at a similar level to? Can they motivate and encourage others to work together to achieve a collective outcome?

  • Solutions-focused: can they look objectively at a situation and suggest suitable approaches to overcome any problems? Do they have the ability to support others in their team and are they approachable?

Before recommending a promotion:

If there is someone that you feel could
be a good candidate for an internal promotion, it can be beneficial to identify
opportunities where they can take on additional responsibilities – such as
taking a lead role of a particular project – to gain an insight into how they would
perform.

After confirming a promotion:

Ensure that you continue to provide suitable support whether that is recruiting someone to back fill the position that they have vacate, team restructure or a mentoring programme whilst they adjust to their new role.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance professionals.  With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT UStoday to discuss your recruitment needs with a member of our team.