James Redfern, who spent a decade at Morgan Stanley, told us that people management in investment banking was “more loosely defined.” When he later moved into a more operational role, he realized that people—were the key to driving performance. Redfern would make “intentional people management” a core part of his finance strategic playbook.
Made Possible By
Nearly a year into his CFO role at Reltio, James Redfern is leaning into the challenge of leading in a new domain. Transitioning from HR-focused SaaS firms to deep IT infrastructure, Redfern shares how data consistency, strategic M&A, and people-aligned performance define his finance lens. He emphasizes the importance of finance-HR collaboration and views FP&A as a forward-looking engine for growth. With $160 million in ARR and just 190 customers, each decision is amplified—and demands operational discipline, financial insight, and human understanding in equal measure.
| CFO’s Strategy Playbook |
|---|
| • Partner Finance With People Strategy |
| • Scale With Operational Discipline |
| • Treat FP&A As Growth Engine |