The Finance Seat is Headstar’s new interview podcast series, hosted by our Managing Director, James Roach. Each episode James will sit down with CFOs and FDs from across the UK to bring you straight-talking conversations about how they build strong teams, manage cash, and deliver change – so you can do the same.
In this first episode we’re joined by Ciara Allan, CFO at ARC Inspirations, a high performing, commercially successful bar group in the North of England operating 3 brands with 17 venues in total.
Forecasting when the ground shifts
Hospitality can be unpredictable. Ciara shares how she builds confidence in cash forecasting and decision making when demand can easily fluctuate due to a range of factors such as the weather, sports fixtures and school calendars. She discusses setting expectations, extending near-term visibility, and keeping the leadership team calm without over-promising.
Cost control that helps, not harms
Ciara also discusses the contrast of cost control quick fixes versus more longer-term improvements that enhances capability and actually benefits employees. She also explores how she has helped transform the Finance department from being seen as the ‘No Corner’ by establishing strong relationships across the business and increasing transparency between finance and operations.
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