Beyond Finance: The CFO’s Role in Leadership, Ethics, and Governance with Kate Cooper, CFO at the Institute of Directors

Episode notes

The CFO role is changing, and expectations are broader than ever. In this episode of The Finance Seat podcast, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, speaks with Kate Cooper , CFO at the Institute of Directors, about what leadership looks like beyond the numbers. They explore the transition from technical expert to strategic leader, the importance of flexibility and inclusion in modern finance teams, and how CFOs play a key role in shaping governance and ethical decision making. Kate also shares herperspective on the evolving relationship between CFO and CEO, and why that partnership is becoming more critical. If you are thinking about the future of the CFO role, this episode offers a practical and thoughtful perspective. Kate Cooper is CFO at the Institute of Directors, the professional body for company directors in the UK, where she plays a key role in shaping financial strategy, governanceand organisational leadership.