Xero Appoints Claire Bramley as CFO

Following a global search, Xero Limited (ASX:XRO) has announced the appointment of Claire Bramley as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 April 2025. With her extensive background in technology leadership, Claire’s appointment is a key strategic move as Xero continues to expand its global footprint and strengthen its executive team.

Claire joins Xero with a wealth of experience, particularly in the technology and software sectors. She most recently served as CFO at Teradata, a NYSE-listed cloud database and analytics software company, where she led finance, IT, security, strategy, transformation, enterprise risk, investor relations, and corporate development. Her role at Teradata showcased her ability to manage complex, global organizations and drive transformation across various functions—expertise that will be invaluable at Xero as it scales its business globally.

Prior to Teradata, Claire spent over 14 years at HP Inc., where she held several leadership positions, including Global Controller. In this role, she led HP’s Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures (M&A) organization, and also played a pivotal part in shaping HP’s financial strategy and transformation initiatives. Claire’s leadership extended to HP’s finance operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), managing a $17 billion business. She also served as Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis for all HP global divisions, refining her skills in financial strategy and planning.

Claire’s appointment follows a trend seen in other high-profile local tech companies, most notably Canva, which appointed Kelly Steckelberg as their new CFO. Like Xero, Canva has recognised the importance of bringing in U.S. based financial leadership to support its global ambitions. Kelly Steckelberg, who joined Canva after a successful tenure as CFO of Zoom Video Communications, brings deep experience in leading finance teams within high-growth, international tech companies. This strategic hiring approach underscores the growing trend of A/NZ companies recruiting senior financial talent from the U.S. to help scale their operations globally.

Xero’s decision to appoint Claire, a seasoned executive based in Northern California, is aligned with this trend. By bringing in a finance leader with significant experience in managing large, publicly-listed companies, Xero is enhancing its ability to navigate complex, fast-moving global markets. This move also reflects the company’s commitment to reinforcing its leadership team as it continues its growth trajectory, particularly in key regions like the U.S.

Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy expressed her enthusiasm about Claire joining the company: “We are thrilled to welcome Claire to Xero. Her deep experience in global technology and her understanding of the scale and complexity of international businesses will be invaluable as we execute our FY25-27 strategy, Winning on Purpose. Claire’s expertise in transformation, financial strategy, and leadership will play a key role in driving Xero’s continued success.”

For Claire, the new role represents an exciting challenge. She said: “I’m thrilled to be appointed as CFO of Xero, a purpose-driven and customer-centric company with global reach and aspirations. Xero has a significant opportunity, and a clear and focused strategy. I’m excited to help the team realise Xero’s huge potential. As an accountant, I also understand the strong value Xero brings to accountants, bookkeepers, and small business customers. I look forward to drawing on this experience to help drive even more value for Xero’s customers, partners, people, and shareholders.”

Claire’s experience and leadership will be crucial as Xero continues to scale globally, particularly as it navigates the challenges of operating in a highly competitive tech sector. With her proven track record in managing large, publicly-listed companies, Claire will be instrumental in supporting Xero’s transformation and strategic growth.

Current CFO Kirsty Godfrey-Billy will remain in her role until March 2025 and will assist with the transition until June 2025. Her continued support ensures a smooth handover as Xero moves forward with Claire’s leadership.

Claire Bramley’s appointment underscores Xero’s focus on driving growth and innovation. With her expertise in financial strategy and global business leadership, Claire will play a pivotal role in shaping Xero’s future as it builds on its strong foundation and continues to grow its international presence.