At Finova, flexibility isn't limited to one team or one stage of your career, it's part of our culture.
Our Work From Anywhere benefit gives colleagues the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world for up to four weeks each year, helping them balance their professional responsibilities with the people and places that matter most.
In this edition, we caught up with George Kakavelakis, Finance Director, to hear how he used the benefit to spend more time with family in South Africa, how he maintained business continuity while leading a busy finance function, and why he believes flexibility and accountability go hand in hand.
1. Where did you choose to work from, and what inspired that decision?
I have close family in Johannesburg, South Africa, so I took advantage of the opportunity to work abroad during December. It allowed me to extend the time I could spend with my family over the festive season, while continuing to fulfil my responsibilities and remain fully connected with the business.
2. As Finance Director, your role carries significant responsibility. What considerations did you make before deciding to work abroad?
The first consideration was ensuring I had a suitable working environment with reliable internet connectivity, alongside obtaining the necessary IT approvals. From a business perspective, it was important to ensure continuity within my team in the UK and that key stakeholders and external partners were comfortable with meetings taking place remotely. With the right planning, it was straightforward to put those arrangements in place.
3. How did you ensure continuity across financial reporting, forecasting and leadership responsibilities while away?
Preparation was key. We planned around important reporting deadlines, set clear expectations across the team and scheduled regular virtual check-ins to maintain our usual rhythm of communication. Having those routines in place meant there was no disruption to delivery or decision-making.
4. Did working from a different environment change your perspective in any way — professionally or personally?
Professionally, my approach didn't really change, but personally I really valued being able to create a clear distinction between working time and family time. It meant I could enjoy an extended stay with my family while remaining fully engaged in my role during the working day.
5. What does it mean to you that Finova offers this benefit, even at senior leadership level?
For me, it demonstrates the trust Finova places in its people, regardless of seniority. It provides the flexibility to spend meaningful time with family that I wouldn't otherwise be able to see for an extended period, while continuing to deliver in my role. That balance is incredibly valuable.
6. How do you think benefits like this influence company culture and employee performance?
Benefits like this reinforce a culture built on trust, accountability and flexibility. They give people the freedom to manage their work in a way that fits around their lives, without compromising on performance. For many employees, particularly those with family overseas, it's a meaningful benefit that can make a real difference to both wellbeing and long-term engagement.
7. Were there any challenges to manage — time zones, board meetings, deadlines — and how did you approach them?
Planning the timing of my trip was important to avoid particularly busy periods in the finance calendar. Time zones are also something to consider, but in my case Johannesburg is only two hours ahead of the UK, so it was easy to align with normal working hours. With good planning, the practical challenges were minimal.
8. Would you encourage others in leadership roles to take advantage of this benefit? Why?
Absolutely; it provides leaders with greater flexibility without compromising their responsibilities. If taking an extended period of annual leave isn't practical, this benefit offers another way to spend longer with family or experience a different location while remaining fully engaged at work. With good planning and communication, it's a fantastic example of how flexibility and accountability can go hand in hand.
George's experience demonstrates that flexibility doesn't have to come at the expense of performance. With the right planning, communication and trust, it's possible to remain fully engaged in a leadership role while making more time for the people who matter most.
At Finova, our Work From Anywhere benefit is just one of the ways we support our people to thrive both professionally and personally.
If you're looking for a career with a company that values flexibility, collaboration and trust, take a look at our careers page to explore our latest opportunities. We'd love to hear from you.
