Steve Settle has over 20 years of experience in senior corporate financial roles. He leads a team of highly experienced CFO’s that help individuals and companies achieve their financial objectives.
What’s your story?
I am a highly educated and qualified CFO who found myself out of a corporate job at the start of the GFC, and through luck, circumstance, and perseverance re-invented myself as an entrepreneur – utilising my experience and expertise to help individuals and businesses find their way through the financial maze.
What excites you most about your industry?
Helping individuals and corporates to “do things better” – a catch-all phrase that encapsulates running your business or running your life.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I moved to Singapore (after 15 years in Sydney) 18 years ago with my wife and two baby sons. The boys grew up and were educated here, graduated through national service, and we all now have many strong relationships around the world that would not have been formed if we had not moved here.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
It has to be Singapore – it is geared to help businesses in almost every way. With evidence of the impact of cultural segregation in different countries, it would be beneficial to all if we could all trust each other’s abilities and contribution in rising to the top.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Take responsibility for yourself and don’t worry about what you cannot change – probably something I read that rang true.
Who inspires you?
Anyone with positive energy and outlook
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
The power of the subconscious mind – not something I ever really thought about before, but I have recently read a few books on the subject and it is astonishing how much we do not know.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would spend less time listening to inner doubt and have a greater bias to action. Our conscious mind is programmed to “protect” us but strangles our development.
How do you unwind?
Family and sport. My wife is my soulmate, my boys are my pride and joy, and being active helps me relieve physical and mental stress.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
It would have to be Bali – a very laid-back attitude combined with great food, spas, accommodation, food, shopping and golf courses.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“How will you measure your life?” by Clayton M. Christensen
Shameless plug for your business:
Everyone needs help with financial matters – whether business or personal. For business, we provide a one-stop shop for all the financial help you could need available on a flexible usage basis. On the personal front, we offer holistic financial advice backed by an award-winning, FTSE 100 company with a unique proprietary investment management approach.
How can people connect with you?
Email at [email protected] or [email protected] and LinkedIn
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connect’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder of The Marketing Group PLC. He is the author two best selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’ and ‘Agglomerate’.
Connect with Callum here: twitter.com/laingcallum linkedin.com/in/callumlaing Download free copies of his books here: www.callumlaing.com
