CIPFA CFO Leadership Academy 2025

Brendan is a senior leadership and professional consultant for CIPFA consultancy and training. He leads CIPFA’s CFO Leadership Academy in the UK and for the government of Canada. He is also heavily involved in CIPFA’s finance business partnering work and in change management assignments in the UK and in Europe. Email: brendan.mccarron@cipfa.org, Tel: 07810 547 226.

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Chris Swallow is a governance and leadership advisor. He mentors United Nations senior leadership in governance, advises the UK government on complex and sensitive international programmes, and works across the public and commercial sectors to support leadership teams. Chris began his journey as an Army officer, serving on operations around the world in locations such as Sierra Leone, Iraq, Afghanistan and even Bermuda. He had the privilege of leading both British and American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan from tactical field operations to national headquarters earning an MBE for his work bringing leadership reforms to the Iraqi Military. He also worked alongside soldiers from countries such as Germany, Romania, Sierra Leone, Jordan, Iraq and Afghanistan. These experiences taught lessons around communication, empathy and the balance between Leadership and Management. Since leaving the military Chris has specialised in helping organisations engage in strategic governance and organisational development. He works with CIPFA mentoring United Nations mission headquarters, allowing them to take a strategic perspective around performance, strategy and culture. Chris also works with the FCDO, British military and across the public sector, helping to bring evidence to decision making and build agility into command structures. As an Executive Leadership Coach, Chris also spends time with C-Suite board members and teams discussing leadership challenges and developing strategy.