At the end of June, CP’s Tech & High Growth team hosted their latest TechCFO Annual Summit, bringing together the UK’s most forward-thinking VC and PE-backed finance leaders for an evening of connection, insights and inspiration.
The highlight? A powerful fireside chat between High Performance podcast host Jake Humphrey and two-time Olympic triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee MBE.
Not for want of trying, few in the room will ever compete at the elite level of endurance sport. But Alistair’s reflections on mindset, resilience and leadership struck a deep chord with the hundreds of fast-growth finance leaders who joined us at The Shard.
Below, you’ll find the key takeaways from the conversation – and why they matter more than ever for finance leaders scaling at speed.
CONSISTENCY OVER INTENSITY
Alistair was clear: success isn’t about occasional brilliance. It’s about showing up, day after day, for years.
“Endurance sport is boring. It’s a dose-response relationship. The more of it you do, the better you get. The hard part is being consistent over a long period of time.”
For finance leaders in high-growth businesses, this is a familiar truth. Building a finance function that can scale with the business – while managing investor expectations, funding rounds and compliance – requires relentless consistency, not just bursts of effort.
Lesson: Build systems and habits that support long-term performance. The best finance leaders don’t just react – they create rhythm and reliability in the face of chaos.
REDUCE FRICTION. REDUCE DECISION FATIGUE
Alistair shared how he engineered his environment to make training inevitable. From buying a house near the best trails and pools, to keeping his shoes warm by the back door, he removed every possible excuse not to train.
“If you’re sat on the sofa thinking, ‘Should I go to the gym?’ – you’ve already lost the battle.”
This insight applies directly to finance leadership. The more routine decisions can be automated or simplified – through systems, delegation or process – the more energy remains for strategic thinking.
Lesson: Design your environment for success. Whether it’s your tech stack, team structure or personal workflow, reduce friction so you can focus on what matters most.
HIGH PERFORMANCE IS A TEAM SPORT
Despite competing in an individual sport, Brownlee was quick to credit his team – including coaches, physios and training partners – for his success.
“I stood on the start line alone, but I needed a team of 10 people to get me there. They weren’t as obsessed as I was, but I had to inspire them to care.”
In high-growth businesses, finance leaders often find themselves at the centre of a complex web of stakeholders. Success depends not just on individual performance, but on the ability to align and inspire others.
Lesson: Leadership is about influence, not control. Build a team that believes in the mission — and give them the clarity and support to deliver.
RESILIENCE IS A DAILY DISCIPLINE
Alistair reframed resilience not as a response to crisis, but as a daily practice.
“Resilience isn’t just about the big injuries or failures. It’s about overcoming small challenges every day – five times a day.”
In the fast-paced world of start-ups and scale-ups, setbacks are constant. The ability to bounce back – from a missed forecast, a delayed fundraise, or a failed hire – is what separates good finance leaders from great ones.
Lesson: Build resilience into your routine. Embrace discomfort, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE. SET THE STANDARD
When asked how to build a high-performance culture, Alistair’s answer was simple: lead by example.
“You’ve got to show people what high standards look like. And you’ve got to be clear about the process to get there.”
This is especially important in finance, where the tone set by the CFO often defines the culture of the entire function. Whether it’s month-end close or a board meeting, how leaders show up matters.
Lesson: Culture starts at the top. Model the behaviours you want to see – and make the path to excellence clear and repeatable.
ENJOYMENT FUELS ENDURANCE
Despite the intensity of his training, Alistair said he enjoyed 50–80% of it. Why? Because he made it enjoyable – by training with great people, choosing inspiring locations and focusing on what he loved.
“You have to enjoy it. Otherwise, how can you do it 50 weeks a year for 10 years?”
Finance in high-growth businesses can be intense. But it doesn’t have to be joyless. Whether it’s celebrating wins, investing in team culture, or finding flow in a spreadsheet – enjoyment fuels endurance.
Lesson: Don’t just survive the journey – enjoy it. Build a culture where people want to show up and do their best work.
FAILURE IS THE PRICE OF AMBITION
Jake Humphrey shared a quote from Nike’s CMO: “Failure is the price of ambition.” Alistair agreed – and added that the best teams embrace failure as part of the process.
“You’ve got to know where the breaking points are. That’s how you grow.”
For CFOs and finance leaders, this means creating a culture where experimentation is safe, and where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities – not career-ending events.
Lesson: If you want your team to push boundaries, you have to make it safe to fail. That starts with how you respond to setbacks.
PURPOSE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT
When asked why he trained so hard, Alistair admitted he didn’t always have a clear answer.
“I never had a good answer to that. But maybe that’s okay. If you can answer it too easily, you might be in the wrong game.”
This is a powerful reminder for finance leaders. Your “why” might not be a neat mission statement. It might be a drive to build, to solve, to lead. What matters is staying connected to it – especially when things get tough.
Lesson: Purpose doesn’t have to be perfect. But it does have to be personal. Keep coming back to what drives you.
HIGH PERFORMANCE IS A CHOICE
Alistair closed with his definition of high performance:
“It’s standing on the start line, knowing you’ve done everything in your power to be the best prepared you can be.”
That’s a mindset every finance leader can adopt – whether preparing for a board meeting, a fundraise, or a major systems overhaul.
Lesson: Preparation is power. Control what you can, and show up ready to perform.
A FEAST FOR THOUGHT
Alistair Brownlee’s journey from Olympic podiums to entrepreneurial ventures is a masterclass in mindset. His reflections at TechCFO’25 offered more than inspiration – they delivered a blueprint for high performance that’s as relevant in the boardroom as it is in elite sport.
Thank you to Jake and Alistair for their fascinating conversation, and thank you to all the exceptional finance leaders who brought the evening to life.
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