Team

Meet the Team

Our team of facilitators and mentors are all former CFOs and Finance Directors from across the globe. Drawing from their wealth of experience within and beyond the realm of finance they aim to collectively revolutionize corporate finance teams, making them more effective and efficient.

Dan Wells

Founder and CEO
Ex-KPMG equity partner and Deloitte audit engagement partner Dan Wells brings extensive experience in senior finance roles. He has delivered audit, advisory and M&A services to businesses worldwide. Dan is dedicated to helping finance functions by creating world-class community-led CFO development programs, team training, and powerful networks.

Kevin Appleby

COO & Podcast Host
Kevin is a chartered accountant who has worked as a CFO and management consultant. More recently, Kevin is involved in learning and development, teaching skills linked to business and financial transformation projects. Kevin's passion is to pass on his knowledge to as many people as possible and Kevin sees GrowCFO as a great place to do this.

Zoë Cooper

Sales & Marketing Lead
Zoë leads sales and marketing at GrowCFO, helping CFOs and finance teams discover the programs and resources that best support their development. With over a decade in digital marketing, she has built sales teams, founded an award-winning agency, and delivered global campaigns. At GrowCFO, Zoë creates strategies that connect finance leaders with learning that drives real growth.

Claire Gurpinar

Lead Program Coordinator
Claire coordinates program delivery at GrowCFO, ensuring CFOs and finance teams gain maximum value from their learning journey. She manages courses end-to-end, working with facilitators to deliver smooth, impactful sessions. With a background in project management and team development at HSBC, Claire creates engaging programs that make professional growth straightforward and effective for participants.

Paula Kensington

Lead Mentor APAC
Paula established the CFO Conversations platform, advocating for performance that benefits all stakeholders, including the environment. She emphasizes a holistic approach to business outcomes. Paula is a professional mentor, executive coach and seasoned CFO with highly impressive experience at Regus, Keycorp and Chubb Security Services.

Ashley Vukovits

Lead Mentor North America
As an Executive Mentor based in the US state Indiana, Ashley has incredible CFO experience in both SMBs and large listed company, covering fundraising, M&A and company exits. Ashley mentors an impressive number of finance leaders and aspiring CFOs to help them grow professionally while also maintaining their personal goals and work-life balance.

Catherine Clark

Lead mentor Europe
Catherine Clark, an Executive Mentor with 25+ years as a CFO and Director, has empowered over 1,100 finance leaders worldwide. Her mentoring elevates confidence and leadership, drawing from her extensive experience. As a Chartered Accountant and thought leader, she engages with CFOs and C-Suite Directors, inspiring personal and professional growth.

Damian Smith

Lead Mentor Middle East & Africa
Damian Smith, a “recovering CFO” with 25 years of experience, a regional BN$ CFO, Regional Sales Director, and a leadership and systemic team coach, specializes in transforming finance teams and coaching senior finance leaders. Damian has worked for many flagship businesses including Sony, BlackBerry, Virgin Media, Telefónica and Vodafone.

CFO Mentors

Our mentors are all former CFOs and Finance Directors from across the globe. Drawing from their wealth of experience within and beyond the realm of finance.

Course Facilitators

Our facilitators aim to collectively revolutionize corporate finance teams, making them more effective and efficient.

Our expert facilitators are former FDs & CFOs from leading companies...

Meet GrowCFO Founder

Dan Wells

Founder | CEO | Business Leader
Dan Wells, an ex-KPMG Big Four equity partner, previously served as an audit engagement partner at Deloitte, accumulating substantial expertise in delivering senior finance roles. His professional journey includes providing audit and advisory services to startups, scaleups, and large corporations across diverse global locales such as the UK, Europe, US, Africa, and the Middle East.

With over two decades of experience collaborating with finance leaders, Dan finds fulfillment in guiding talented individuals up the career ladder. Recognizing the formidable challenge of ascending to the CFO role, his career ambition revolves around crafting world-class community-driven CFO training programs and support networks. These initiatives are designed to ensure individuals never experience isolation or lack support in their roles.

Engaging with numerous finance leaders weekly, Dan assists in overcoming their most pressing challenges. His expertise spans a broad spectrum of topics, including soft skills, leadership, imposter syndrome, communication, relationship building, gravitas, influencing, personal brand development, resilience, value enhancement, and impact. He actively participates in public speaking engagements, chairing webinars, facilitating workshops, and serves as a leading commentator within the CFO profession.
 

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