Rutherford Cross’ Jonathan Donnelly recently hosted the first event in a new series in collaboration with CIMA.
On Friday, 25th April, we had the privilege of hosting our first Future Business Leaders Lunch in collaboration with CIMA at our Glasgow office. The event brought together senior finance professionals from a range of sectors – including manufacturing, legal, facilities management, travel, logistics, and the public sector – for an engaging and insightful discussion.
We were delighted to welcome Tommy Cowan, Vice President of Airbus Programmes at Spirit AeroSystems, as our guest speaker. Tommy shared invaluable insights from his extensive career, which spans over a decade at Spirit AeroSystems, having previously worked for IBM and CBRE. His journey began in finance, where he held various roles including Finance Manager, Finance Director, and Finance & Commercial Director. In 2017, he transitioned into programme management as Senior Director, and in 2021, he was appointed Vice President of Airbus Programmes. This progression underscores Tommy’s commitment to understanding the broader operational landscape and his dedication to professional growth.
Carla Rossini, Chair of CIMA Scotland, also joined us to discuss the Institute’s engagement with its members and her experiences of applying CIMA principles throughout her career. Carla’s insights highlighted the importance of continuous learning and the role of finance professionals in driving strategic decision-making across organisations.
The event fostered lively discussion focused on the evolving role of finance professionals as strategic partners within their organisations. Attendees explored the significance of immersing themselves in the operational and commercial objectives of a business to make a meaningful impact. Tommy emphasised the value of seeking secondments outside of finance to gain a comprehensive understanding of operations, thereby positioning finance as a collaborative partner rather than a separate entity.
The conversation also touched upon the importance of developing business curiosity and building credibility to confidently challenge assumptions and drive change. A key takeaway was the need for finance professionals to empower their operational counterparts to take ownership of financial outcomes, fostering a culture of collaboration over blame. Tommy further discussed the benefits of working beyond traditional finance roles to support ongoing professional development and establish oneself as a true business leader.
The event allowed attendees to forge new connections and share experiences. We are grateful to Tommy, Carla, and all participants for their contributions to a successful and enriching discussion. Looking ahead, we plan to host a similar lunch for CIMA-qualified finance professionals in Edinburgh later this year, continuing our commitment to supporting the professional development of our network.
For more information or to be informed of future events in this series, please contact Jonathan Donnelly at Rutherford Cross via [email protected].
