Philip Rowley, CFO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, might just win the award for The Most Interesting CFO in the World.

Aside from having amassed decades of knowledge about his industry and craft, he's also extremely well-read and and has an incredible knack for leadership, based in part, at least, on his breadth of reading (Side note on reading: Mark Twain once said, "The man who does not read had no advantage over the man who cannot read.").

Philip and I cover a lot of ground, including:

• How he became a company President at age 29
• Navigating the complexities of supply chains in the Music industry
• Leveraging technology and AI as a lens into data standardization and integration

One of my biggest takeaways is the importance of adapting one's leadership style over time – i.e. don't be rigid, be flexible – and emphasizing continuous learning. (Note: Philip's reading list has been widely circulated at his company. See show notes).

He also shares his belief in managing for value rather than short-term metrics, providing contrasting examples from his time at AOL Europe and Sony Pictures. Bill highlights the significance of balancing short-term and long-term goals and describes his approach to leadership as one that fosters intrinsic motivation and trust within teams. Additionally, he touches on the challenges of avoiding overwork and the importance of leveraging coaching to empower employees. And, a lot more!

Enjoy!

About Philip

Philip Rowley is Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). Mr. Rowley is responsible for all of the Company’s financial affairs and oversees SPE’s information technology, facilities, procurement, security, and health and safety divisions. Rowley was at AOL Europe in London from 2001-2007. As CFO, he was instrumental in moving the company into profitability and was in due course named COO, and later CEO. Before AOL, Rowley was at Kingfisher PLC, where he served as Group Finance Director; at Golden Books Family Entertainment as COO and CFO, and was co-founder and Managing Director of Tribeca Technologies in New York, a technology company specializing in ISDN connectivity and sound compression technologies.

Rowley was based in New York as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of EMI Music Worldwide, where he was responsible for finance, strategic planning, information technology, human resources, and the studio's group (which included Abbey Road). During the six years in that role, he led the acquisition of Virgin Music, Chrysalis Records, and IRS Records. Before that, Rowley served in several senior roles at EMI Music including Finance Director for Europe. He was Vice President for Finance at Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment in Los Angeles; and Vice President for Finance and Planning for Thorn EMI Video in New York.

Since 2007, Rowley has held several non-executive board seats including Promethean World plc, where he served as Non-Executive Director and then Chairman from 2010-2015; HMV Group plc, where he served as Non-Executive Director and then Chairman from 2007-2013; MISYS Plc and Tradus PLC; and ARM Holdings plc, where he served for over nine years, during which time he successively chaired the audit and remuneration committees.

Rowley is known for his strong leadership skills, strategic mindset, and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. He is highly respected within the industry for his financial acumen, business acumen, and commitment to driving value for shareholders. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Rowley is also actively involved in various industry associations and community initiatives. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from a prestigious university and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). His dedication to excellence and passion for the entertainment

Everybody is talking about longevity nowadays…such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, supplements such as NAD to Rapamycin, and various blood tests and full body MRI scans.

How does one sift through the noise and make sense of what’s what?

Dr. Bill Kapp, CEO of Fountainlife, lays it out for us in layman’s terms. We discuss:

• Fountain Life's plans to make advanced health screening technologies more accessible by partnering with corporations, hotels, residential communities, and golf clubs
• How you can leverage AI and wearables to make health tracking fun
• The potential of new technologies in extending life (he predicts major advancements by 2030)
• Why Peter Diamandis and Tony Robbins decided to create Fountain Life
• Dr. Kapp’s personal health and fitness philosophy

And a whole lot more! Enjoy!

Dr. Kapp's Bio:

Dr. Kapp is a dynamic entrepreneur who has founded several healthcare start-ups, ranging from surgical centers and hospitals to electronic health record systems and medical real estate developments. He is passionate about introducing cutting-edge technology to enhance both the facilities and operations of healthcare organizations. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, former USAF Flight Surgeon, and type-rated jet aircraft pilot, Dr. Kapp has a unique combination of medical expertise and aviation knowledge. Moreover, he is dedicated to advancing the new healthcare paradigm that focuses on the detection and reversal of asymptomatic diseases. Dr. Kapp is deeply committed to this cause and strives to improve patient outcomes by leveraging the latest advancements in medical technology and innovation.

Summary

Have you ever wondered what kind of companies are being created in the Space industry, outside of the one or two that you've heard about such as SpaceX? It's a $500Bn market today (and trillions over the next couple of decades). You're invited to listen and absorb the knowledge of Space Capital's founder, Chad Anderson, as he takes us on the journey and provides a roadmap of what's in store.

Chad has real vision and we discuss his career evolution in finance to creating the UK's first Space innovation center to ultimately shifting directly into launching a fund with an exclusive focus on the Space space. We discuss the emerging potential of the industry, navigate the challenges of investments in the sector during the early days, and how it's evolved now that the likes of Musk, Bezos, Branson and others are putting their weight behind the industry.

One of my biggest takeaways is the the importance of recognizing trends, overcoming obstacles, and staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing industry. Through Chad's perspective, our audience gained a deeper understanding of the opportunities and complexities within the space investment landscape, painting a vivid picture of the future possibilities in the space economy.

Enjoy!

About Chad
Chad Anderson is a pioneering figure in the space investment industry, as highlighted by TechCrunch calling him "among the best-positioned people to weigh in on the current and future state of the space startup industry." As the founder and managing partner of Space Capital for over a decade, Chad has been instrumental in driving investments in the Space Economy. He is also the author of "The Space Economy: Capitalize on the Greatest Business Opportunity of our Lifetime," published by Wiley.

With a strong media presence, Chad has been featured in reputable outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Financial Times. Apart from his work at Space Capital, Chad serves on the board of the Satellite Applications Catapult, contributing to the growth of the UK's space sector. He is also on the board of the Explorers Club, a nonprofit promoting scientific exploration, and has been a member of the User Advisory Committee for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory.

Prior to founding Space Capital, Chad had a successful tenure at JPMorgan Chase, managing a $50-billion real estate portfolio during the Great Recession. He holds an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation from the University of Oxford, showcasing his diverse expertise and experience in finance, entrepreneurship, and the space industry.