Alchemy Uncensored

The UAE hiring market changed almost overnight. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by two of our interns, Cillian Farrell and Rushil Magdani, for an honest conversation about what has happened across the UAE recruitment market in the weeks following the regional conflict. Instead of interviewing one of our usual guests, Conor answers the questions many employers, job see...

Uncertainty is inevitable. How leaders respond to it is what makes the difference. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Alia Saleh, CFO of ISG Middle East, who is widely recognised for her work on leadership, the future of finance, and women's representation at senior levels. Together, they explore what finance leadership looks like in one of the world's most de...

What if every real estate decision was backed by AI? In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel is joined by Christian Kunz, Founder of Prop-AI, a platform focused on transforming real estate investing through artificial intelligence. Before founding Prop-AI, Christian held leadership roles across the UAE’s innovation and investment ecosystem, including serving as Chief Strategy, Innovation...

Many professionals want to grow in a corporate environment. Few understand what it actually takes to succeed in one. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Priyanka D'Souza, Vice President of Finance at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she leads FP&A, commercial finance, and strategic reporting across Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With mo...

Attracting talent is easy. Retaining talent is the real challenge. In today's market, businesses are competing for the same people, offering similar salaries, similar benefits, and similar opportunities. The difference is no longer who can hire talent. It is who can keep it. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Saad Maniar joins host Conor McHugh to discuss the challenges and opportunities s...

Relocating employees to the UAE sounds exciting on paper. In reality, the experience can often feel fragmented, overwhelming, and far more complex than expected. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel is joined by Amro Osman and Leila Gaafar to unpack how relocation is evolving and why companies are starting to rethink the employee experience around it. Neuk was built to simplify the re...

Fractional CFOs are becoming one of the most talked about roles in business right now. But many founders still do not fully understand what the role is actually meant to do. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Carl Lewis, a finance leader with more than 25 years of experience across the UAE, spanning multinational businesses, government entities, and complex transforma...

Not all growth creates value. And in industries under structural pressure, that distinction matters more than ever. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Laura Herbin Milhiet, Group CFO at OSN, one of the Middle East’s leading premium entertainment platforms. With over 20 years of international experience across Europe, the US, Asia, and the Middle East, Laura has been a...

Finance leadership is changing. And the expectations are changing with it. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Prasidha Pratap, a CFO with nearly two decades of experience across FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and the cosmetics industry. Together, they explore what leadership looks like in today’s finance environment. Because the reality is, it is no longer just about numbers,...

Moving from CFO to CEO is often seen as a natural progression. In reality, it is a completely different role. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Igor Marti, a global executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across LATAM, APAC, and EMEA, leading multi-billion dollar organisations as both CFO and CEO. Together, they unpack what really sits behind the transi...

Treasury is often overlooked. But that is starting to change. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Mohamed Kortam, a Middle East & Africa Regional Treasurer with over a decade of experience leading corporate finance, liquidity, and risk strategies across the region. Together, they unpack what the role of Treasury actually looks like today and why it is becoming incr...

Uncertainty is not new. But how you respond to it is what defines your next move. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel and Conor McHugh unpack what is really happening across the UAE market right now. From the outside, it may look like hesitation. From the inside, it is something else entirely. This conversation is built on real interactions with candidates and clients across finance...

Empowerment is not a buzzword. It is built in the moments where voices are heard, confidence is strengthened, and opportunities are created. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Rutika Hardikar is joined by three inspiring leaders Lata Loungani, Alia Saleh, and Bally Dabb for a powerful conversation on women empowerment in finance and tax. At the center of this discussion is She Counts, a commun...

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧. Understanding the cycle is not about predicting the future. It is about recognising patterns and making better decisions because of them. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Weam Kamel is joined by Renyl Rauf, a finance and strategy professional with over two decades of experience across capital-intensive industr...

In this special guest feature, our founder Conor McHugh sits down with Asad Siddiqui on the Asad Siddiqui Finance Insider Podcast to pull back the curtain on the UAE recruitment market. The Middle East market has shifted. In this deep dive, we explore the rise of the "Plug and Play" candidate and explain why companies are no longer just looking for talent, but for immediate regional impa...

Hiring is not about choosing between permanent or flexible talent. It is about knowing when each model makes sense. In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Graham Halton to unpack how fractional hiring is being used alongside permanent recruitment, not instead of it. This episode is proudly powered by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management p...

Why does finding the right role in Dubai feel harder, even when the market looks busy? In Part 3 of our Season 4 market special, we turn the spotlight on Dubai and unpack what is really happening behind the surge in competition, shifting salaries, and changing hiring priorities. If you are navigating the UAE job market, feeling the pressure of longer hiring processes, or wondering why roles feel m...

This episode gives you a clear and practical view of the UAE tax hiring market in 2025. This is Part 2 of our three-part series, and we focus on a question every tax professional is asking: what is really happening across Abu Dhabi and Dubai Tax Hiring market right now? If you… Are trying to decide between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Want to understand which skills are actually in demand, Or feel uncerta...

This episode will completely change the way you see the UAE hiring market. This is Part 1 of a three-part special, and it starts with something every professional wants to understand: what is really happening in Abu Dhabi right now. If you… Are considering Abu Dhabi for your next move, Want to know where the real opportunities are, Or feel confused by how different the market feels compared to bef...

What does it really take to create a workplace where people feel connected, supported, and able to perform at their best? In a world where talent expectations are shifting fast, employee experience is no longer a “nice to have.” It has become a strategic priority that directly impacts performance, trust, and financial outcomes. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, we bring together two leaders reshapi...

What does it take to build a culture where people truly thrive? In today’s world of rapid change and high pressure, leadership isn’t just about driving results — it’s about leading with empathy, clarity, and purpose. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Sabahatt Habib, Chief People & Culture Officer at The Giving Movement and a LinkedIn Top Voice, who is redefining how Pe...

What does it take to master finance across borders and cultures? Today’s finance leaders are more than number keepers; they are connectors, strategists, and enablers of global growth. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Olga Drevina, a global finance leader whose career spans multiple countries, industries, and transformation stories. Together, they unpack what defines the m...

What does it take to turn finance into a true growth partner for the business? The role of today’s finance leader goes far beyond numbers — it’s about storytelling, collaboration, and enabling smarter decisions. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Luca Rossi, a globally experienced finance leader with a passion for tech-enabled businesses and fast-scaling environments. From...

What does it take to build the financial engine behind a high-growth startup? The role of a startup CFO is not just about managing numbers. It’s about strategy, resilience, and creating the foundation for sustainable growth. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by James Evans, CFO at prop-tech rocketship Holo. With extensive experience driving financial transformation in the tec...

What does it take to step beyond finance and lead at the very top? The journey from CFO to CEO is more than a change in title — it’s about vision, influence, and the ability to inspire transformation across an organization. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by John Nolan, who shares his leadership journey from CFO to CEO. With years of experience navigating complex financial...