Alchemy Uncensored

What does it take to lead, mentor, and inspire across diverse markets? Leadership today is about more than just managing numbers — it’s about unlocking potential, empowering teams, and driving meaningful growth. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Gop Menon, CFO for India, Middle East & Africa at Informa, who brings a wealth of experience in leadership, mentoring, and th...

What role does finance really play in shaping business strategy? It is not just about the numbers. It is about driving transformation, enabling growth, and building teams that thrive. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Faisal Anwar, a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading across IPOs, M&A, restructuring, and strategic finance in the Gulf an...

What separates a good leader from a truly great one? It’s not just strategy, numbers, or execution. It’s emotional intelligence, presence, and the ability to inspire. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Kamran Malik, a seasoned Regional CFO with over 18 years of experience across APAC, the Middle East, and CIS. Known for his strategic insight and expertise in financial repor...

Dubai’s job market has always been a hotspot for professionals across finance and tax but what’s really happening in 2025? In this final instalment of the Alchemy Uncensored Podcast’s UAE Market Review, we take a closer look at Dubai’s recruitment landscape in H1. From shifting hiring trends to the industries seeing the fastest growth, this episode breaks down what’s changed since last year and wh...

The tax recruitment landscape is shifting, and in this episode of the Alchemy Uncensored Podcast, we break down exactly what’s changed between H1 2024 and H1 2025. Joined by our in-house tax specialist Rutika, we explore how the number of roles has evolved, which industries are driving growth, and what’s happening with niche tax demand. We also look at how the balance between immediately available...

Abu Dhabi’s recruitment landscape continues to evolve, and in this episode of the Alchemy Uncensored Podcast, we unpack what’s really happening on the ground. This H1 market review gives a focused look into the capital’s finance and tax hiring trends. We cover which roles are most in demand, which industries are actively hiring, and how the market has shifted since the start of the year. With stab...

Transformation isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the difference between keeping up and truly leading. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Lewis Elsey sits down with Tarek Sayed, a transformational CFO whose 20+ year career has spanned four continents and some of the world’s most dynamic organisations, from General Electric to Mastercard and Majid Al Futtaim Ventures. From overhauling finance systems to res...

How do you fast-track your career from audit to CFO and thrive in a high-growth, PE-backed business abroad? This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Lewis Elsey is joined by Josh Burton, CFO at Skybound Wealth Management and a chartered accountant who's spent nearly a decade building his career in Dubai. From navigating the leap from audit to industry, to driving transformation within a private equity env...

You did everything right. The job. The title. The wins. But behind the success? Burnout. Pressure. Disconnection. This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Lucie Lachaux - a former CFO turned mindset and performance coach, and the founder of Changing Minds. Lucie has coached over 500 leaders across 15+ countries and is ranked the #1 LinkedIn creator in the UAE for Personal Growth...

How do you shape people-first cultures in an age of automation, agility, and constant change? This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Sneha Jain, a dynamic People Leader with over a decade of experience across global giants like Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, VFS Global, and now Havaianas (Alpargatas Group). Sneha shares honest, sharp insights into what it really takes to lead HR today...

What does it take to lead finance in both global corporations and fast-moving startups? This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Tina Kapadia, a seasoned finance executive whose career spans over 20 years at firms like KPMG, Visa, Mastercard, and now as SVP and Global Head of Finance at Moove.io. With over two decades of experience, Tina shares hard-earned insights on building re...

How do you stay ahead as a senior leader in a world that never stops evolving? This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Mario Barili, a global finance and operations executive with a career built on adaptability and forward-thinking leadership. From the leadership lessons rooted in sport to the rise of AI in finance and navigating the modern career landscape, this episode is pack...

What if surviving a business crisis could make you unstoppable as a leader? In this episode, we dive into exactly that with returning guest Ralph Khoury — international CFO, mentor, and crisis leadership expert. From steering companies through global disruptions to building his own wellness and e-commerce brands, Ralph reveals what it really takes to lead with clarity, resilience, and vision. Cono...

Reaching the top in finance takes more than just numbers — it takes vision, leadership, and global perspective. In this episode, we speak with Ignacio Anglada, an international finance executive and former Group CFO at Juiphar Pharmaceuticals, a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange. Ignacio shares what truly defines a high-impact CFO, his journey across global markets, and the p...

Strong collaboration between departments is essential for any high-performing organization. In this episode, Conor McHugh sits down with Maher Sabbagh, a senior HR executive with over 20 years of experience across APAC, Africa, and the Middle East, to explore how people-centric leadership drives real business impact. Maher shares valuable insights on the importance of internal and external network...

Think HR is just about policies and paperwork? Think again. In this episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Gillespie, an experienced HR leader with over 20 years across the UK, Singapore, and Dubai. Jennifer’s career spans industries like banking, oil and gas, property, water technology, and supply chain—bringing a wealth of insight into what truly shapes a high-performing workforce. We explore the pow...

Reaching the top in the corporate world comes with its own set of challenges, especially for women in finance and business. In this episode, we sit down with Elena Overchuk, COO at Kyndryl, a global leader in IT infrastructure services. With 20 years of international experience, Elena specializes in business transformation and women’s leadership, particularly in the MEA and CEE markets. Elena shar...

Taxation is evolving fast, and staying ahead is critical for businesses and finance leaders. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Peter, a global tax expert with 44+ years of experience and the UAE Ministry of Economy's (via the ACCA) subject matter expert on UAE corporation tax. Dr. Peter shares his insights on the ever-changing tax landscape, the challenges tax professionals face in the UAE...

If you're an aspiring CFO, this episode is a must-listen! We’re joined by Zuned Bharuchi, a seasoned CFO and Chartered Accountant with over 25 years of experience across industries like logistics, energy, biopharma, and more. Zuned shares his expert perspective on what it takes to be a modern CFO, how the role has evolved, and why finance transformation is critical for success in 2025. From na...

If you’re in the finance world, this episode is a must-listen! We’re joined by Youssef Salem, CFO of ADNOC Drilling and the youngest CFO to make waves on Nasdaq and ADX. With a career leading billion-dollar deals and shaping MENA’s top unicorns, Youssef shares his expert insights on Islamic Finance what it really means and how it’s evolving.   We explore the fundamentals of Islamic Finance, why in...

If you’re a recruiter, HR professional, or jobseeker, this episode is for you! Hisham ElSaied, a chartered MCIPD member and certified coach with 18+ years of experience in Fortune 500 companies across MEA, shares his expert insights on the future of hiring. We dive into the interview process, with tips to help candidates and recruiters excel, discuss the growing role of AI in recruitment, and exam...

If you’re a jobseeker in the UAE, this episode is a must-listen! Weam Kamel, Director and Head of Abu Dhabi Operations, and Lewis Elsey, Principal Consultant at Alchemy Search share their expert advice on how to stand out in the competitive UAE job market.   They discuss the key differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi job markets, offer tips on nailing your interviews, and reveal what recruiters r...

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, we’re joined by Sheena Ganesh, a seasoned CFO and finance leader with over 25 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa. Hosted by Lewis Elsey, Sheena shares her expertise on the pivotal role corporate governance plays in shaping successful organizations. She provides valuable insights into how corporate governance has evolved across the Middle Ea...

In this episode, we’re excited to feature Babita Ganeriwala, CFO of TRACTEBEL Middle East, as she shares her incredible journey and over 15 years of experience in finance and leadership. A Chartered Accountant and an accomplished professional, Babita offers valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges of today’s business world. Babita discusses the evolving role of women in finance, the cruc...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome John Ioannou, where he shares his extensive expertise on creating psychologically safe workplaces and empowering people to unlock their full potential. With over 35 years in leadership across multiple industries. Join us as John explores the transformative power of psychological safety. He discusses the effects of toxic environments, the importance of bui...