Europe: Bigger Picture - Transitioning careers

Event information

Please note, this event has already taken place. As the event took place in breakout rooms, it is not available on demand.

A practical session for members considering a career move or planning their next step.

Choose one of three breakout rooms to hear from our expert speakers. In the registration form you’ll be asked to confirm breakout room and provide a little more information about yourself to help the conversation.

The session is planned to be interactive and recordings of the sessions will not be available due to the breakout nature of the event.

Our breakout sessions:

• From manager to partner
• Tackling the transition from practice to business
• The aspiring CEO in business

More details on the sessions:

From manager to partner

Hear from Michalis Stephanou, a Partner with PwC Cyprus, on his journey from ICAEW student to Partner and the lessons learned along the way. This session provides first hand perspectives on intentionally progressing within an accountancy firm through early career planning, continuous technical and leadership training, and seeking exposure beyond day-to-day client work. The discussion will also explore involvement in professional bodies and committees, building credibility, broadening perspective, and developing influence within both the profession and the wider business environment to position oneself as a trusted advisor. This session will offer a clear roadmap for aspiring Managers preparing for senior leadership and partnership.

Tackling the transition from practice to business

Hear from Louise Jacobs of Axera AI as she explores the realities of tackling the transition from Practice to Business. Louise will share insights on shifting mindset from technical excellence to commercial impact, navigating the fast pace of a tech start-up, managing rapid progression from Finance Manager to CFO, and securing funding to support growth and scale. This session offers a practical, real-world perspective for professionals interested in how experience gained in practice can translate into senior leadership and value creation within high-growth businesses.

The aspiring CEO in business 

Hear from Peter McKenzie as he shares valuable insights for aspiring CEOs aiming to lead at the highest level. Peter will explain how to plan your career path toward the CEO role, highlighting the key differences between CFO and CEO in terms of mindset, responsibility, and influence. The discussion will focus on the importance of stepping beyond finance to understand stakeholders, strategy, and organisational dynamics, with practical tips on gaining broader business knowledge, building influence, and leading confidently through transformation.

CPD hours

ICAEW's revised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Regulations bring in new CPD requirements. This includes a minimum number of hours and an ethics requirement. Attending this webinar could contribute up to 1hr 15mins of verifiable CPD, providing you can demonstrate that the content is relevant to your role.

A copy of the webinar booking confirmation email is accepted as evidence of verifiable CPD. Click here to use ICAEW’s self-assessment tool to help you work out how much CPD you will need to fulfil each year.