Scottish Finance Leaders Network Celebrates Successful Relaunch in 2024

The Scottish Finance Leaders Network (SFLN) proudly marks the successful relaunch of its inclusive programme for both seasoned and emerging CFOs. Throughout 2024, the network has grown to over 350 members under the leadership of co-chairs Graeme Menzies and Nicola McIntosh, supported by a committee of regional chairs and sponsors FWB and EY.

The Finance Directors Group in Scotland, established over 20 years ago, began as a gathering of CFOs from top Scottish companies to share insights and support each other. Evolving alongside Scotland’s business landscape, the group welcomed CFOs from prominent private, family, and investor-backed businesses. By 2020, the network had grown to over 200 members, managed by a single voluntary Chair.

Graeme Menzies, Finance Director at AFG Media Ltd and the networks co-chair, commented, “We’re all aware of how lonely and isolated the CFO/FD role can become, so the ability to learn from and collaborate with peers will provide a really helpful network as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

In 2024, the group relaunched into the Scottish Finance Leaders Network, with a renewed focus on inclusivity and development. The reformed network now boasts over 350 members and has already delivered six events across its core cities – Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

2024 Highlights

The network’s relaunch in Glasgow brought together over 40 senior finance professionals and CFOs at EY’s offices. The event featured insights from prominent CFOs Alastair Irvine (formerly of Howden Group) and Gregor Goodwin (formerly of MB Aerospace) who shared their experiences in navigating successful company exits. Stewart Macintosh, Group CFO, David Brown Santasalo commented that the event provided “invaluable insight into the crucial role a CFO plays in delivering sustainable growth in a PE environment and ultimately how to turn that growth into a successful exit.”.  Read more.

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, CFOs are becoming pivotal stewards of investment capital. In Edinburgh, EY’s CTIO and AI Strategy Leader Catriona Campbell provided insights, discussing opportunities and risk presented by current trends. This was complemented by examples from Scottish Water Executives, John Cairney and Nisarg Hirani. Read more.

A full house attended our Aberdeen event focussed on ‘managing your career’, featuring insights from Kerrie Murray, CFO at THREE60 ENERGY, and Ally Scott, EY’s Managing Partner. Their inspiring career journeys provided valuable leadership and financial strategy lessons.

Gordon Farmer, CFO at Global Energy Group, shared with us, “Financial leaders today are faced with a variety of challenges whether that is transitioning markets/services of the business to incorporating artificial intelligence into process within their businesses.  Being able to connect financial leaders and create a forum for sharing experiences and knowledge in comfortable environment can only help strengthen Scottish businesses.”

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2025 and Beyond

The network now enters 2025 with plans to scale and grow to meet the needs of CFO’s across Scotland. FWB are proud to partner and sponsor the network alongside our friends at EY.

Jennifer Campbell, Business Development Director at EY reflects on 2024, “I am pleased to share the success of the relaunch of what was a long-established Finance Directors Forum into the Scottish Finance Leaders Network. It has been fantastic to have played a role in connecting over 150 finance leaders last year. Seeing them connect, share details, and agree to follow up on shared challenges is exactly what this group aims to support, and we are honoured to play a part in this.

I would like to extend a personal thanks to everyone who attended the event. We hope to see these connections continue to flourish in 2025 and look forward to welcoming new members to the network.

EY, alongside FWB, have been long-standing sponsors of this network, and I very much look forward to playing an active role in 2025.”