UK Sectors

The Resilient Accountant: Leading through a determination to drive change

Hear Owen Davies FCCA, Head of Finance at Transport for Wales and secondee at Pullman Rail, talk to Donna Beddis FCCA about finding resilience in leading through a determination to drive change. As well as being an advocate for the public sector, Owen is also a crusader for being brave and embracing the commercial sector, hunting out value in commercial opportunities to improve the value proposition for the people of Wales. Hear about his determination to extend the remit of Transport for Wales - a course of action which has given him opportunities to create new ideas and procedures - all whilst earning the trust of the Welsh Government and the wellbeing of his teams to deliver the changes.

Finance redefined: Risk management and controls with Jane Walde

Are your finance and business decisions fully protected against the risks quietly building in your organisation? In this episode, we show how finance teams can work smarter with risk and audit functions to stay ahead. We break down what an effective controls framework really looks like, with practical examples of proportionate controls and insights into the common risks that often slip under the radar. From strengthening risk awareness to discovering tools and techniques that make controls more effective, this episode equips accountants in business with actionable strategies they can implement immediately. If you’re looking to move beyond compliance and play a central role in safeguarding your organisation’s success, this conversation is essential listening. Jane is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and is a member of ACCA's Global Forum for Governance, Risk and Performance. She is an Associate of Satarla and specialises in Enterprise Risk Management. Find her on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-walde-44181a58/]. To access a workshop that covers the requirements of provision 29 of the 2024 UK Corporate Governance Code, contact [https://satarla.com/] and enquire about the Effective Risk Governance and Material Controls Workshop. There is also free guidance on how to do a bow-tie risk assessment on the Satarla site.

The Resilient Accountant: Making space for the future even though the present is busy

Donna Bedis interviews Veer Parmar, the 2025 UK Public Sector Advocate of the Year, about his work in the NHS. Veer, a finance business partner at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, has been instrumental in promoting innovation, particularly in AI in healthcare, and developing a finance graduate scheme across nine NHS Trusts. He emphasizes the importance of consistency, collaboration, and integrity in his work. Balancing ambition and empathy is key. People are stretched, change can feel overwhelming, the best approach is to listen, understand concerns and move at a pace that feels safe. Veer discusses the challenges of balancing immediate pressures with long-term transformation and the significance of small steps in driving change – “making space for the future even though the present is busy”. He also highlights the role of financial insight in improving patient and staff outcomes and advocates for using one's experience to support colleagues and the community.   Since this podcast was recorded, Veer has become the Chair of the Health Sector Panel and is working on leading AI-based activities for the network.   Connect with Veer on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/veer-parmar-fcca-04bb2a3a/]

At the 4Front: Clients and career growth with Freddie Winter

Bridget Foley sits down with Freddie Winter, Senior Finance Consultant at EY, to explore the realities of pursuing the ACCA qualification while working in a Big Four firm.   Freddie shares what sparked his interest in finance and accounting, and how that curiosity evolved into a career at EY.   He brings the qualification to life with a practical example of applying audit and assurance knowledge directly to client work - highlighting the immediate value of ACCA learning in a consulting environment.   Freddie speaks candidly about the challenges of managing work, study, and personal life, including the sacrifices required during busy periods. He emphasises the importance of staying connected to your “why” and protecting non-negotiable wellbeing priorities.   Whether you're considering ACCA, applying to a Big Four firm, or currently juggling study and work, this episode offers honest insights and practical advice to help you succeed. Visit our ACCA Big 4 and Mid-Tier Hub [https://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/member/sectors/big4-and-large-firms.html] for helpful resources, articles and tools to support your career journey.

Inside BFSI: Redesigning finance and payroll with Varun Monteiro

Varun shares how his ACCA training and experience across the business helped him execute a management buyout, scale and exit his first company, and build a payroll and HR tech business with a clear vision. We explore how AI, real-time payments, and open finance are transforming finance roles, why leaders must manage complexity rather than control, and how the BFSI sector can shift from risk avoidance to risk intelligence to support entrepreneurship and non-linear careers. Subscribe to the series for more insights from across financial services Join the FS Community on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7460030/] Explore the ACCA FS Hub [https://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/member/sectors/financial-services.html] for resources, events, and opportunities to stay ahead Varun Monteiro on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/varun-m-75485a18/] Laura Reay on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reay/] About the Guest Varun Monteiro FCCA is the CEO and founder of Finity, an HR and payroll technology company reshaping how organisations onboard, pay, and reward their people. A qualified ACCA accountant and adviser on the ACCA Financial Services Panel. Over the past decade, he has led global teams as COO and CFO, focusing on automation, process improvement and scaling businesses while improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. A digital innovator and natural relationship builder, Varun specialises in HRTech, post-deal support, business process outsourcing, product and project management, and financial planning and modelling. About the Series - Inside BFSI Inside BFSI: voices from across the financial services sector showcases the stories, challenges, and insights of professionals shaping the future of banking, financial services, and insurance. Each episode highlights real-world experiences and emerging themes across the sector - from technology and innovation to leadership and talent development.