Chris Gunning: The James Bond Accountant

 
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Meet Chris Gunning…

Chris Gunning is the Finance Transformation Service lead at Heineken in Amsterdam where he has been living with his family over the last 20 years.

Starting off back in Belfast with an Accountancy Degree from Queens, he’s since lived and worked all over the world on every continent — except Antarctica — for Global Tech Companies, Automotive businesses and now one of the biggest beer brands in the world.

Chris is also:

  • A self-confessed metal-head

  • An avid-kayaker

  • And the most James Bond-like accountant, I’ve ever met in my life.

In today’s show, we hear stories about growing up in Belfast in the ’70s, working under the supervision of armed guards in Pakistan and being whisked out of an unnamed South American country after he and his team discovered something they shouldn’t have…

Check it out.

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  • One thing most people don't know about you: Nuts about heavy metal music and culture. A real headbanger!

  • Favourite Book: Currently - "So Much for the 30 Year Plan" by Simon Young - the authorized biography of Northern Ireland's very own THERAPY? (an awesome ready by the way!)

  • Favourite Quote: Mmm. It probably changes all the time, but one I like using a lot these days when talking about a Growth Mind Set, is : "Try to Move Out of Your Comfort Zone - because that is where the Magic will then happen". No Idea who came up with it though! It wasn't me, but it certainly resonates with me! I think it really talks to the power of being bold to try something new and challenging yourself.

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Today's episode is part of our collaboration with NI Connections where we catch up with someone incredible from Northern Ireland doing interesting things overseas on the last Monday of every month.

To discover more amazing diaspora stories, check out their website niconnections.com where you can also sign up for their free, monthly newsletter.

How To Listen

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Thanks again to Chris Gunning for taking the time to share his story with us.

See you next time.

— Matt

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Matthew ThompsonNIC