THE FINANCE CHIEF INTERVIEW
“ Now with AI, things are going to change dramatically – because we need to find the right balance. It is no longer about pure automation; it is about changing the way we work. And for that, we definitely need to adapt,” he says. What exactly is meant by that, Rafael clarifies, is the“ legacy programmes and projects that have always been based on people, systems, and processes – the typical consulting project. Right now, I think there is a fourth element: people, processes, systems and data.” Data is absolutely everything. Collected from a granular level to influence controlling decisions, leaders must be able to realise what the right kind of data is to include on transformational projects. Without that, Rafael says, the“ reality is that the outcome will not be the one we want.” He continues:“ Digital transformation in the past was more about automation and doing things faster, but we are pivoting right now to do things differently and to leverage new technologies that will give us capabilities we don’ t have right now.” Data is capital for any business; central to any decision, and no leader or individual can move without it. CFOs must“ know the business,” Rafael explains,“ if you don’ t know the business, you cannot help.” Every CFO should be, according to Rafael,“ making sure that [ we ] know about the business and participate
Hotels are developing their own intelligence
Rafael Sueiro EVP & CFO Radisson Hotel Group
44 July 2026