Sara Furber, CFO of Tradeweb, won CFO of the Year at Markets Media Group’s 2024 Women in Finance Awards.

With acquisitions like ICD, r8fin and Yieldbroker, you’ve expanded Tradeweb’s global footprint, technology and client channels. How do these moves shape the company’s future?

Tradeweb is a growth company, and that means looking for both organic and inorganic opportunities. Bringing ICD, r8fin and Yieldbroker into the fold has been a big part of shapingTradeweb’s future. With r8fin, we’ve taken a meaningful step forward in leveraging algorithmic-based execution strategies, opening up new opportunities in the rates space. Yieldbroker allowed us to break new ground in the APAC region, giving us a stronger presence in Australia and New Zealand’s bond and derivatives markets, while ICD added corporate treasury professionals as our fourth client channel. All of these moves are helping us grow our technology, global reach and client footprint.

Your background in engineering and finance is unique. How has this combination influenced your approach to leadership and innovation?

My engineering background helped me hone my problem-solving and analytical skills, which has enabled me to break down complex problems into tangible, data-driven solutions. That foundation has really shaped how I make decisions in my role. When I started my career in Finance, I had no “classic finance training” which allowed me to look at things from a different perspective and often come up with creative solutions. That comfort with being open-minded to different points of view has really benefited me when it comes to leading and communicating with a large, diverse team.  It heightened my comfort with innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, and in many ways allowed me to communicate in a way that resonates with both finance experts and non-experts. I rely on those skills to motivate and drive results in my role as a leader and CFO every day.

You’re actively involved in professional development, including WBC events. What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles in finance?

My advice to women aspiring to leadership roles in finance is to lean into challenges, even when they feel a little daunting. Early in my career, I faced plenty of moments of doubt and even imposter syndrome, but those experiences taught me that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, and oftentimes, women spend too much time focusing on what they don’t know how to do vs. what great skills they bring to the table. Building a strong network is also key — organizations like the Women’s Bond Club have connected me with peers and mentors who’ve been incredible sources of advice and inspiration throughout my career.

You’ve emphasized the role of AI and ML in driving efficiency. What advancements are you most proud of, and how have they impacted Tradeweb?

I’m really proud of how we’ve embraced automation and emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning to make our workflows smoother and enhance productivity. Initiatives like ‘AI Days’ are increasing our team’s comfort with using tools like ChatGPT. For instance, we’ve used these technologies to accelerate key reporting processes such as the publication of our 10-K, by generating first drafts of policies and other documents in seconds instead of hours. These small changes free up my team to focus on higher value work goals that help drive Tradeweb’s growth forward.