On Friday 17th July, Manager Harry Young hosted the latest instalment of the Future Finance Leaders Forum, an invite-only roundtable series designed for the most ambitious qualified accountants in West and Central Scotland.
The purpose of the series is to bring together future leaders in finance, offering the opportunity to network with like-minded peers while gaining valuable career insights from established leaders across industry.
This session welcomed Richie Webster, Finance & IT Director at Bruichladdich, who shared his career journey and key reflections on how to progress in the finance profession and achieve long-term success.
Richie began his career with Deloitte in 2009, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2012 and progressing rapidly through three promotions in three years to Audit Manager. In 2015, he joined C&C Group as Internal Audit Manager before moving into a Commercial Finance Manager role. Over an impressive eight years with the business, Richie undertook six different roles, including Head of Finance, Divisional Finance Director, Group Operations Director and finally GB Finance Director. In 2023, he took on his current position at Bruichladdich, the iconic Scottish whisky brand, leading both Finance and IT across the business.
Across his journey, Richie has worked in diverse functions, taken on broader operational roles beyond finance, and developed a leadership style grounded in adaptability, commercial focus and strategic thinking.
During the roundtable discussion, Richie shared five key reflections that have shaped his career:
- Surround yourself with good people – the right team and network can elevate your performance and open doors.
- Be curious and maintain a growth mindset – keep asking questions and seeking new perspectives to expand your skills.
- Be authentic – stay true to your values and lead in a way that reflects who you are.
- Be useful – look for ways to add value beyond your immediate remit and make a positive impact.
- Understand your strengths and back yourself – know what you bring to the table and have the confidence to stand by it.
Richie’s story and insights were both inspiring and practical, offering clear takeaways for those looking to build a varied and upward career path in finance.
To register your interest in joining the Future Finance Leaders Forum and to be notified of upcoming events, please contact Harry Young at [email protected]
