Editor’s note: In today's A Day in the Life interview, Alvin IP (pictured), CFO of Aspire, shared how global exposure has helped him keep up with the challenges facing a finance leader and stay open-minded to new experiences in his career journey.
FutureCFO: What does a typical day look like for you?
Alvin Ip: A typical day in my role as Aspire's CFO is a dynamic mix of strategic planning, collaboration, and decision-making.
I begin with alignment meetings, building connections between our internal teams and external partners and stakeholders.
Strategic planning takes a significant portion of my day, where we delve into overarching strategies, team organization, and directional considerations.
The day also has a substantial focus on decision-making and approvals, particularly on finance-related matters which requires a meticulous review of both internal and external deliverables.
Simultaneously, I take on the role of a mentor within our finance department, engaging in regular calls with my team to ensure there is continuous learning and growth for them in their roles.
Attending and speaking at networking events also plays a vital role in staying on top of industry trends and building valuable connections.
FutureCFO: What excites you the most in your work?
Alvin Ip: Over the years, the financial sector has undergone remarkable transformations and it’s the ever-evolving nature of the landscape that keeps things interesting.
I always anticipate the unexpected whether it’s from meeting new people or tackling new challenges.
I make it a point to continuously challenge myself — to revamp and reengineer my existing approaches in the way that I work and lead my team.
Witnessing the growth of my team members whom I've hired and mentored, going on to contribute to the success of Aspire is also incredibly rewarding.
FutureCFO: Can you share an experience which was key to your professional growth?
Alvin Ip: A key milestone in my professional journey was building the team at Aspire.
Arriving two years ago, I was a part of a modest 8-member finance department.
Fast forward to today, I'm proud to lead a robust team of 65 members, and we’re still growing.
Compared to my previous investment roles where I primarily oversaw two to three members of the team, this was something that was both challenging and immensely rewarding.
This experience has strongly reinforced the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking when it comes to steering a team towards collective achievement.
FutureCFO: Is there anything outside work—such as a travel experience, a book, participation in a sports event or volunteering experience—that serves as an important inspiration to your work or life? Can you tell us more about it?
Alvin Ip: A key inspiration for me would be my personal journey which draws on a lot of my travel experiences.
Originating from Mauritius, I moved to France for my studies and secured my first job there.
Subsequently, my professional path led me across continents — from the US and South America to Europe and Asia.
The global exposure I’ve experienced has cultivated a profound adaptability to various environments — being able to interact, gel and learn from individuals from diverse cultures and mindsets has been instrumental in shaping me into the person that I am today.
It also serves as a constant reminder to keep an open mind and have my feet on the ground — from meeting new people or tackling new challenges that arise.
