Thread
1/ Hi 👋
I’m The Secret CFO.
I’m a career corporate CFO, specializing in large private businesses (10 figure + revenue biz)
I started posting on here in August, and reached 30k followers this week.
So, figured it’s a good time to re-introduce myself
Here’s my story.
I’m The Secret CFO.
I’m a career corporate CFO, specializing in large private businesses (10 figure + revenue biz)
I started posting on here in August, and reached 30k followers this week.
So, figured it’s a good time to re-introduce myself
Here’s my story.
2/ I started out in public practice with one of the Big 4.
Then once I’d certified, I jumped out fast… to take roles in business.
Initially in FP&A, then broadening out into controllership, corp dev, business partnering, etc …
Then once I’d certified, I jumped out fast… to take roles in business.
Initially in FP&A, then broadening out into controllership, corp dev, business partnering, etc …
3/ Through a lot of hard work, good luck and great mentors, I found myself CFO of a $1bn turnover business shortly after I was 30,
Since then I’ve got over a decade of experience as CFO.
All in billion dollar plus, multi-national businesses.
Since then I’ve got over a decade of experience as CFO.
All in billion dollar plus, multi-national businesses.
4/ I specialize in complex situations; turnarounds, refinances, exits, M&A, transformations, etc.
In short …
I like getting my hands dirty in situations where a lot of shareholder value (and sometimes even survival) is at stake.
In these worlds, finance is at the center.
In short …
I like getting my hands dirty in situations where a lot of shareholder value (and sometimes even survival) is at stake.
In these worlds, finance is at the center.
5/ I’ve led more than 20 M&A deals (buy and sell).
A few very big transactions, but also 1 or 2 very small ones too (<$500k)
I’ve seen a few sectors, but the ones I know best are manufacturing, retail, leisure, consumer goods, supply chains, property, etc.
A few very big transactions, but also 1 or 2 very small ones too (<$500k)
I’ve seen a few sectors, but the ones I know best are manufacturing, retail, leisure, consumer goods, supply chains, property, etc.
6/ I’ve also been lucky to work directly with billionaire founders and outstanding listed CEOs.
I’ve been able to learn from some really outstanding leaders and boards with a range of leadership and management styles.
I’ve been able to learn from some really outstanding leaders and boards with a range of leadership and management styles.
7/ So, the obvious question …
Why did I start on Twitter?
Having spent more than 20,000 hours as a CFO and having read hundreds of books, I’m a real student of business and finance.
I love what I do, and I’m always learning.
I wanted a way to document what I’ve learnt…
Why did I start on Twitter?
Having spent more than 20,000 hours as a CFO and having read hundreds of books, I’m a real student of business and finance.
I love what I do, and I’m always learning.
I wanted a way to document what I’ve learnt…
8/ I’m an active mentor irl, focused on developing finance leaders, and building teams.
And having recently gotten interested in writing, I thought Twitter would be a fun way to experiment.
Turned out I was right. I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought.
And having recently gotten interested in writing, I thought Twitter would be a fun way to experiment.
Turned out I was right. I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought.
9/ I also noticed that no-one was really telling the story of finance from inside businesses.
Which given that’s where the majority of finance pros actually work, I thought that was weird.
So I gave it a go.
Which given that’s where the majority of finance pros actually work, I thought that was weird.
So I gave it a go.
10/ After a false start in 2021 (I got no further than setting the account up), I started posting in August of this year.
And 2 and a half months later, I’ve got over 30k followers.
Wild!
And 2 and a half months later, I’ve got over 30k followers.
Wild!
11/ I quickly saw the ‘power of social media’ first hand for the first time.
My hunch was right. There is demand for hands-on insight, on what it really means to run a large finance function.
It also surprised me how much I have enjoyed the whole experience.
My hunch was right. There is demand for hands-on insight, on what it really means to run a large finance function.
It also surprised me how much I have enjoyed the whole experience.
12/ My DMs lit up.
I’ve engaged with so many cool people.
People I’ve admired from a distance for a long time have reached out and told me how much they like what I’m doing.
But most of all, I’m enjoying helping those of you on the CFO path, looking for a bit of advice.
I’ve engaged with so many cool people.
People I’ve admired from a distance for a long time have reached out and told me how much they like what I’m doing.
But most of all, I’m enjoying helping those of you on the CFO path, looking for a bit of advice.
13/ If you follow me, you can expect tweets of:
- simple summaries of finance concepts
- insight into the CFO mindsight
- skills leading large teams
- broader business skills relevant for CFO
- how to make great finance career decisions
- Lots of GIFs, and Succession references
- simple summaries of finance concepts
- insight into the CFO mindsight
- skills leading large teams
- broader business skills relevant for CFO
- how to make great finance career decisions
- Lots of GIFs, and Succession references
14/ I’ve got a list of 50+ future topics already.
I know many of you have found my threads helpful, but …
There clearly is a demand to go deeper. And in particular a proper catalogue of my content.
I know, because … you’ve told me!
So here’s what I’m gonna do:
I know many of you have found my threads helpful, but …
There clearly is a demand to go deeper. And in particular a proper catalogue of my content.
I know, because … you’ve told me!
So here’s what I’m gonna do:
15/ Introducing ….
CFO Secrets newsletter.
A deeper dive into topics useful for wannabe CFOs.
This will catalogue my ever evolving views on:
- how to get to the CFO seat
- how to succeed in driving shareholder value once you are there
CFO Secrets newsletter.
A deeper dive into topics useful for wannabe CFOs.
This will catalogue my ever evolving views on:
- how to get to the CFO seat
- how to succeed in driving shareholder value once you are there
16/ I expect to provide deeper insights, for those that want to go further than I’m able to in the threads.
It’s not ready yet, but I am working on it, and it will be soon.
If you want to get it first, whilst it’s crispiest, then sign up now
secretcfo.beehiiv.com/subscribe
It’s not ready yet, but I am working on it, and it will be soon.
If you want to get it first, whilst it’s crispiest, then sign up now
secretcfo.beehiiv.com/subscribe
17/ Thank you for your support. I get so many replies and DMs with amazing feedback, it’s been kind of overwhelming.
I don’t have much time to dedicate to this, but it’s been so much fun, I’ve forced myself to carve an hour per day out.
And it’s been worth it.
Stay crispy 😎
I don’t have much time to dedicate to this, but it’s been so much fun, I’ve forced myself to carve an hour per day out.
And it’s been worth it.
Stay crispy 😎
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