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Balancing the Books and Breaking the Mould,
Nicola Lamprecht’s Leadership Journey

Nicola began her journey in finance after leaving university in South Africa. On a working holiday in the UK, she imagined a short adventure, not the start of a career that would see her lead the finances of a rapidly growing facilities management company.

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Nicola began by studying for her ACCA qualification and even spent time as a lecturer at Guildford College, helping others on their accounting path. Later she switched to the commercial world and put into practice the robust foundation she had built. Starting as an accounts assistant, she worked her way up, learning from many great mentors along the way who taught her the power of being calm under pressure, clear thinking, and leading with care.

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In 2023, Nicola met Norma Bresciani, Kanso FM’s owner, and joined as the company’s first Finance Director, a newly created role designed to support ambitious growth. Since then, the results have been extraordinary. Turnover has soared from £4 million to £11 million in 2023 and £15 million in 2024, with 2025 set to break £25 million. At the same time, Nicola has transformed payroll and finance systems to support a workforce of more than 1,000 people, ensuring the company can scale at pace while staying true to its people-first values.

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We sat down with Nicola to hear more about her journey in finance, her leadership philosophy, and her advice to other women aspiring to senior roles.

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Q&A with Nicola Lamprecht, Finance Director at Kanso FM

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Q, You’re known for calm, structured leadership,  what shaped this style and how has it evolved over your career?

 

Nicola:


“My leadership style has been shaped both by experience and by the people I’ve been fortunate to learn from. Early in my career, I had a Finance Director who became a real mentor to me. He showed me the value of staying calm under pressure, being structured, and always leading with clarity and consistency. Those lessons stayed with me and gave me the foundation for how I approach leadership today. Over time, I’ve balanced that structured approach with empathy, making sure people feel supported as well as guided.

 

Q2, How do you balance day-to-day financial management with long-term strategic forecasting?
 

Nicola:


“For me, the key is having rigid processes in place and uniformity in the team so we keep our daily operations running smoothly. This gives me space to allocate time to focus on strategic growth. When the basics are solid and consistent, it frees you to look ahead and make smart, future-focused decisions.”

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Q, What do you enjoy most about leading finance at Kanso?


Nicola:


“I feel incredibly proud to be part of such a close-knit, ambitious team. What I enjoy most is seeing how our shared drive boosts Kanso’s trajectory. Finance here isn’t just about numbers; it’s about supporting the whole business to be able to deliver and grow.”

 

Q, How do you support financial understanding across the business?


Nicola:


“It is very important to fully understand the roles and challenges outside of the finance department. That perspective helps us create thoughtful, accurate budgets and ensures resources go where they’ll have the most impact. I also aim to encourage a culture that prevents waste, so funds can be invested into what matters most.”

Breaking the Mould

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Q, What’s been the most rewarding financial challenge you’ve tackled at Kanso?


Nicola:

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“Onboarding Fourth Hospitality has been a real milestone. It’s revolutionised how we handle payroll and HR, giving us real-time visibility of scheduling, holidays, and performance. That, combined with smarter processes and efficient working, has enabled us to support rapid growth and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the systems deliver real-time operational efficiency.”

 

Q, What excites you about the next phase of Kanso’s journey?


Nicola:


“I’m really excited to see my team develop further. Every day they are stepping up more and becoming increasingly proactive. We also have some fantastic client opportunities on the horizon, and I am excited for us to break into new sectors. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure finance gives our frontline teams everything they need to thrive and being part of that next phase of growth is truly exciting.”

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Q7, As a female leader in finance, if you could give one piece of advice to other women aiming for similar roles, what would it be?

 

Nicola:

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“Choose the organisation you work for carefully. Seek out a place where you respect the people you work with and where there’s a culture of support and mentorship. That environment will shape your career far more than any single skill or qualification. With the right culture and people around you, you’ll have the confidence and encouragement to keep developing and move into leadership.”

 

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At Kanso, we’re proud to foster a culture of mentorship, support, and opportunity,  one where women like Nicola can thrive and lead. Her journey from a young graduate on a working holiday to Finance Director of  a £25 million business shows what’s possible when talent meets resilience and the right environment.

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Through her calm, structured, and people-first approach, Nicola isn’t just driving financial success, she’s empowering her team, shaping a culture of excellence, and paving the way for the next generation of female leaders in finance.

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