CFO 4.0 Podcast

259.CFO 4.0 Revisited: Soft Skills and the importance they have in Finance Teams with Howard Tunnicliffe

2026-01-27

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In this third episode of the CFO 4.0 Revisited series, Hannah Munro is joined by Howard Tunnicliffe, now FP&A Director at Busuu, to revisit a conversation that remains highly relevant for modern finance leaders.

Originally recorded when Howard was Head of Finance Subscriptions at The Economist, this episode tackles a topic that still separates good finance teams from great ones: soft skills. As finance continues to move beyond pure technical delivery, Howard shares practical insight into why behaviours, communication and judgement matter just as much as numbers.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Howard’s career journey and lessons learned across global, matrixed organisationsWhy soft skills are critical for finance professionals looking to progress into leadershipHow to assess the strengths and gaps within your finance teamThe risks of ignoring soft skills in high-performing finance functionsWhich soft skills matter most in FP&A and senior finance rolesPractical ways to develop these skills across your finance teamExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.Subscribe to our Podcast!

No. of episodes

280

Latest episode

2026-07-14

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Welcome to CFO 4.0, where we explore the dynamic landscape of Financial Leadership in the era of Technology 4.0. I'm your host, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas, a pioneering Financial Transformation consultancy.

 

In this podcast series, we unravel the intricate connection between cutting-edge technologies and the financial domain. It's more than just adopting tools; it's about cultivating the skills necessary to navigate and spearhead the transformative journey within Finance. 

 

CFO 4.0 embodies the archetype of the Financial Leader in the future — a fusion of strategic visionaries and tech-savvy innovators. As the CFO role swiftly evolves from a mere cost controller to a strategic influencer, each transition opens up novel possibilities. Tune in as we share valuable insights and guidance from inspirational CFOs and finance leaders every episode, empowering you to revolutionise your processes, people, and data.

 

Seize the opportunities, propel your business and career forward, and lead with unwavering confidence. Join us in shaping the future of Finance — this is CFO 4.0, your guide to the Future of Finance.

 

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