Charles Sterling
Chief Financial Officer United States · Global perspective
Capital discipline. Strategic clarity. Sustainable value.
Open to Board appointments · Advisory roles · Speaking invitations
Start a conversationA point of view
Finance earns trust by making the economics of a choice visible. I combine discipline in cash, controls and reporting with constructive challenge on investment and growth. A clear explanation of uncertainty is more valuable than precision that the underlying assumptions cannot support.
Decisions in context.
Capital allocation
Competing business proposals were being evaluated on inconsistent assumptions.
Explore the work ↗Finance transformation
Finance reporting had become a collection of local processes rather than an enterprise view.
Explore the work ↗Value creation
During a portfolio review, I worked with business leaders to distinguish reported growth from the quality of the economics behind it.
Explore the work ↗The leadership record
Trusted with consequential decisions.
In the boardroom
- Calder LogisticsIndependent Director · 2021 — Present
- Westmoor Housing FinanceNon-Executive Director · 2018 — Present
- The Lakeshore FoundationHonorary Treasurer · 2016 — 2022
Recognition
- CFO of the Year — Large EnterpriseThe Finance Leaders Forum · 2024
- Best Investor Relations, Mid-CapCapital & Governance Quarterly · 2023
In conversation
- “Capital allocation is a leadership decision, not a spreadsheet”Capital & Governance Quarterly · 2025
- “Inside a cross-border listing in eleven months”The Finance Leaders Forum · 2024
- “What audit committees should ask about cash”The Boardroom Review · 2023
Turns a complex balance sheet into a decision the whole board can own. Investors trusted the numbers because they trusted the person.
An invitation
The most consequential work begins with a conversation.
For board, advisory and leadership conversations where capital allocation matters.
- Board appointments
- Advisory roles
- Speaking invitations
office@charlessterling.example