Ask A CFO Episode 25: Sarika Joshi, Asia Pacific CFO, Hunter Douglas

Why It Matters

Her account underscores how the CFO remit is expanding from number‑crunching to strategic leadership in complex, cross‑border regions—critical for companies scaling in APAC where cultural nuance, regulatory divergence and tech adoption can materially affect growth and risk. Companies that equip finance leaders to integrate strategy, operations and digital capabilities will be better positioned to make faster, smarter decisions.

Summary

Sarika Joshi, Asia-Pacific CFO at Hunter Douglas, recounts a career shaped by Mumbai grit, U.S. graduate study and a long regional tenure based in Singapore. She describes the modern CFO role as operating at the intersection of finance, strategy, operations and transformation—focused on capital allocation, governance and helping the business make tough decisions. Joshi highlights the added complexity of APAC—diverse markets, cultures and regulatory regimes—requiring leaders to manage ambiguity, connect teams and balance depth with breadth. She also discusses navigating geopolitical risk and the growing impact of technology and AI on finance and decision-making.

Original Description

In this episode, Sophie Jackson talks to Sarika Joshi, Asia Pacific CFO at Hunter Douglas. They explore Sarika's unique journey from her early years in India to her current role as CFO, exploring the pivotal roles that shaped her career and hear insights on working in the US and Asia, navigating geopolitical risk and the advent of AI.