Season 4 Episode 24: A Decade in the CFO Seat

Ten years in the CFO seat. Multiple international markets. One industry.

How does a decade as a CFO change the way you lead?

This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Suhail Hoosain, Group CFO of Al Ansari Financial Services, a Dubai Financial Market-listed group with operations across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and India.

With nearly two decades in financial services and more than 10 years as a CFO, Suhail’s career has taken him across South Africa, the US, Guernsey and the UAE.

In this conversation, Suhail reflects on the journey that took him to CFO, the value of international experience and why he chose to build his entire career within financial services.

They also explore what being CFO of a listed company actually involves, how Suhail’s approach to leadership has evolved over the last decade and the lessons that only come with experience.

This is not just a conversation about reaching the CFO seat.

It is about how you continue to learn, adapt and lead once you get there.

What you will hear in this episode:

📌 Suhail’s career journey to Group CFO

📌 The influences that helped shape his career

📌 How working across South Africa, the US, Guernsey and the UAE shaped his perspective

📌 Why he has spent his entire career within financial services

📌 What being CFO of a listed company actually involves

📌 How Suhail has changed after more than a decade as a CFO

📌 The biggest lessons he has taken from his career

📌 His advice for aspiring finance leaders

This episode is proudly supported by Alaan الآن, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform.

Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work.

A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life.

Whether you’re working towards your first leadership role, aspiring to become a CFO or already sitting in the CFO seat, this episode offers a look at how experience continues to shape you long after you reach the top.

🎧 Listen to Alchemy Uncensored. New episodes every Wednesday.

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