James Haslam spent 18 years in the consulting world before becoming Group COO and CFO at Elmo Software.
In Episode 4 of The CFO Track podcast we cover why taking parental leave changed his perspective, and how realising he wouldn't make partner led to starting his own consulting business.
He shares the reality of landing at Elmo through an IPO project, then navigating acquisitions, a delisting, and a full transformation from growth to profitability.
If you're thinking about non-linear career moves or leading through rapid change, this episode is one to tune in for.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
• Taking parental leave in 2011 when it wasn't the norm and how 16 weeks off changed his perspective on life and career, despite concerns about progression.
• Why realising he wouldn't make partner led to starting a consulting business: backing himself when the external job market didn't respond and finding a gap in mid-market advisory.
• The IPO-to-permanent role pathway: how a "3-5 day project" at Elmo turned into 5.5 weeks, then 2 years of consulting, then CFO when trust was already built.
• Leading through transformation: navigating an IPO, COVID, tech sell-off, delisting to K1, and building Elmo through growth to profitability all in six years.
Streamed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and LinkedIn.
