Steve Hare

📊Since 2019, Net Working Capital days has increased by 9.1 days  for the most cash intensive sectors. The PwC UK Working Capital Study has revealed that whilst the majority of these sectors have seen significant increases in DSO over the last 5 years consistent with global trends, there has also been a deterioration to days inventory outstanding.  Read the study to find out more ➡️https://pwc.to/3N33aAQ #WorkingCapitalStudy

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Over the first half of 2024, here at Inspired Search - the executive search division of Inspired - we have seen a significant increase in demand from employers for Finance Directors and Chief Finance Officers.  You may have seen the statistic cited across a range of articles that over 40% of business leaders believe that the main reason for the UK’s current CFO shortage is down to the increase in CFOs moving into CEO positions. Inspired Search is powered by its combination of network and research, read more about how we can help you in your search for a CFO here: https://lnkd.in/eEB5a3ye #CFO #ChiefFinancialOfficer #FinanceDirector #FinanceRecruitment #ExecutiveSearch #Headhunting

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To lift the economy out of the low growth and low productivity environment, the UK needs to have a well defined Industrial Strategy. A new report out from @PwC_UK - which surveyed over 1200 of the UK's senior business decision-makers and interviewed more than 60 business leaders - is set to address that. Find out what it says here and get in touch if you'd like to know more. #IndustrialStrategy

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📋Interested in what business confidence is looking like for the rest of 2024? The ICAEW released their latest Business Confidence Monitor, based on 1,000 interviews with ICAEW Chartered Accountants from a range of UK sectors, regions and company sizes. Read our expert commentary on the findings below ⬇️

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📢📢 our CFO agenda has been refreshed! See the key topics that CFOs and finance leaders are talking to us about below 👇👇 #CFOagenda Grant Thornton UK LLP

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Join us for our next Manufacturing Outlook webinar on Tuesday 17 September. We’ll be in conversation with Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO of Make UK Stephen will share his expert insights on the opportunities and challenges facing UK manufacturers today. From talent shortages to supply chain complexities, we’ll cover it all. Plus, we’ll explore the impact of digital innovation and the journey towards sustainable practices and net zero. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eUYnkd9P #ukmfg #ukmanufacturing #manufacturingoutlook #webinar

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RSM UK's latest quarterly economic outlook is now live, and the forecast for the year ahead looks promising with a period of growth expected to be on the horizon, driven by increasing business investment, wage growth and consumer spending. The recent slowing in wage growth is likely to continue next year as much lower inflation is factored into pay deals and the better availability of labour keeps costs down. Meanwhile, there are still significant questions around the accuracy of the labour market data, which has been volatile lately. The biggest challenge is getting more than one million missing employees back to work. Current vacancy data, workforce numbers, the numbers of people available for work and the training times required for some health occupations, tells us that the UK labour market alone will not fulfil the sector requirements in the short to medium term. Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/ddF57wWZ Feel free to reach out to Thomas Pugh or myself if you have any questions

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The UK is determined to seal the gender gap. For this reason, it set up FTSE Women Leaders Review, an independent initiative to increase the number of women on FTSE 350 boards. We're happy to report that its efforts are paying off. According to the eye-opening FTSE Women Leaders Review February 2024 Report, FTSE 350 companies have surpassed women's leadership targets by 40% one year before the target period is set to elapse! This demonstrates what is possible with consistent effort and voluntary quotas. We welcome the shift focus on women representation at Exec level and increase representation of Black NED and Execs in the FTSE 350. Link to the full article is in the comments. --------------------- Hello, I'm Yemi, I am the founder of Engage Transform, I headhunt exceptional talent for progressive companies. Register for our free webinar, "7 hacks to accelerate your career" https://lnkd.in/eS-SWEiT #SealingTheGenderGap #FTSEWomenLeaders #FTSE350Boards #FTSEWomenLeadersReviewReport

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A really interested perspective in this article, although most GFCs would expect to add value, in addition to ensuring appropriate governance and control procedures are in place. It is an enormously valuable role at the group centre of a corporate and often critical on the journey towards the attainment of the CFO role. The more opportunity it has to add value the more attractive it will become, not always the case for some.

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Great to announce a hat trick of deals in the pet sector for BDO UK LLP over the last two months. The industry continues to evolve and move at a pace, with consolidation continuing to be part of the strategy for most operators. Our consumer insight report by Tom Holt also shows that consumers are continuing to spend on their pets above most other categories. We look forward to seeing the next 12 months evolve. #ukdeals #petsector #consumer #insights

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Are we seeing a rise in 'portfolio careers'? In her first op-ed for The CFO, Sara Daw at The CFO Centre UK notes a significant shift is emerging in high-level finance careers, with increasing numbers of experienced executives choosing #flexible, #fractional roles over traditional corporate positions. Key drivers behind this transition include: 👉 Work-life balance: Leaders like Paula Amesbury describe moving to fractional work after years of putting corporate demands ahead of personal needs, including health and family time. 👉 Strategic variety: Christopher Wicks highlights the value of working across multiple businesses, keeping skills sharp and challenges fresh versus handling "the same emails, problems, and meetings" in a single role. 👉 Impact and purpose: Linda Nelson and HARNISH HADANI share how fractional roles allow them to create meaningful change across multiple SMEs, applying their corporate expertise where it can have the greatest impact. This new model allows seasoned finance leaders to dial their commitments up or down, typically working with 3-7 businesses simultaneously. The approach offers both professional #diversity and #risk mitigation through multiple income streams. As Daw notes, this isn't just a trend but a reimagining of executive careers, shifting from traditional "pay-roll" to flexible "access-role" positions. Read her full op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/gy_eUuWi #CareerEvolution #FinancialLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #FutureOfWork

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Following a stable first half of the year, UK manufacturers performance in the third quarter reveals a mixed picture for the sector. Download our report with Make UK for the latest findings: https://lnkd.in/eYmQVZ-A #UKmanufacturing #UKmfg #manufacturingoutlook #supplychains

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I attach the 10th edition of BDO's popular Regional Manufacturing Outlook Report in partnership Make UK, our yearly benchmark of the sector.   #manufacturing #ukmanufacturing #bdo

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Away for a week following the election results and lots to catch up on ........ starting with how we expect Labour to implement their first steps for change, in order to meet their pledge to get “Britain’s future back”. Lots to consider for individuals, families and business owners. Find out how the proposed changes could affect you ➡ https://lnkd.in/eQR6mBYF #financialplanning #taxplanning #wealthmanagement #businessowner #tax

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Our next guest in our Pathway to Partner series is Clare Hawthorn, Partner at BDO UK. In this 6-part interview with Clare, our Principal Talent Partner, Bex Hall explores Clare’s journey to becoming a Partner. Clare reveals details about her career progression, what challenges she faced and what advice she would offer to people aspiring to become a partner one day. In this first part, we find out about how Clare’s career started and how it evolved. #CareerProgression #FinanceProfessionals #CareerGoals

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