From Finance to Focus: Building a Product-Led Culture at Yoto with CFO Ben Averis

Episode notes

Download our checklist, The 8 CFO Stategies for Smart Scaling Enter the competition today: What does it mean to build a finance function that is truly aligned with product, operations and customers? In this episode of The CFO Playbook, David McClelland is joined by Ben Averis , CFO of Yoto , the screen-free audio platform helping children explore stories, music and learning on their own terms. Ben shares his strategic journey of steering Yoto through its ambitious expansion across five countries, including the US, which stands as its largest market. Listeners will gain a firsthand account of balancing operational growth with financial discipline in a seasonal business, as well as insights into the distinct challenges of raising capital and making sound decisions in a fast-paced startup environment. Our conversation takes a deep dive into Ben's transition across industries, from navigating the turbulent waters of the travel sector during the pandemic to embracing the vibrant startup landscape at Yoto. His reflections on cash flow management during crises offer valuable lessons and underscore the critical nature of agility and foresight in financial leadership.