Member Profile: Sharon Naidoo
Member Profile: Sharon Naidoo
In this edition of our CFO Spotlight series, we feature Sharon Naidoo, a dynamic finance leader and Chief Financial Officer with a track record that spans Africa, the UK, and global operations. A Chartered Accountant (South Africa) with an MComm in Finance, Sharon has led major transformation projects across multinationals like Kellogg’s, AstraZeneca, and Eli Lilly. Her career milestones include a $450 million M&A transaction, region-wide leadership of East, West, Central, and Sub-Equatorial Africa, and winning the CFO of the Year for Transformation in 2023.
Sharon approaches finance with a blend of analytical discipline and human insight. Whether stabilising profit margins during COVID without staff cuts or restructuring logistics to drive efficiency, she remains “loyal to the P&L”—a phrase that underscores her commitment to facts, integrity, and balanced outcomes. Now based in England, she’s focused on navigating European markets and embracing the nuances between African, American, and British business cultures.
Outside the boardroom, Sharon is a travel enthusiast, amateur baker, blog writer, and coach who is passionate about uplifting others through storytelling and leadership development. Her mantra, #BeYou, reminds fellow finance professionals that authenticity is a superpower. For Sharon, being a CFO is more than a title—it’s a platform to lead with heart, make bold decisions, and build ecosystems where work and life coexist meaningfully.
Read on to learn about Sharon’s leadership philosophy, her advice to aspiring CFOs, and why she believes the future of finance belongs to those who stay curious.
Sharon Naidoo CFO TransUnion UK & Europe
- Chief Financial Officer 2024 – Present
Previously:
- TransUnion UK & Europe Chief Financial Officer, 2021 – 2024
- Ricoh South Africa Chief Financial Officer 2019 – 2021
- KFC Chief Financial Officer, South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa 2017 – 2019
Qualifications:
- University of Johannesburg Master’s degree, Finance
- SAICA Chartered Accountant (South Africa), Accounting
- University of KwaZulu-Natal / University of Natal Honors Degree, Accounting
- University of KwaZulu-Natal / University of Natal Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Accounting
Visit Sharon's LinkedIn Page
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
7am
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!
What sparked your interest in finance?
Born to a family of entrepreneurs and academics
Can you share some career highlights and defining moments?
– M&A of $450M with the Kelloggs/Toleram Group in Nigeria
– General Manager Role of East, West, Central and Sub-Eq Africa for Kelloggs and Pringles
– Winning the CFO of the Year for Transformation in 2023
– Leading the SSC model for AstraZeneca for Africa
– Significant Logistics restructure of the outsourcing Model for Eli-Lilly Pharmceuticals
– Navigating COVID without restructuring People and stabilising and maintaining healthy profit margin
– Every one of my CFO roles
How do you handle professional challenges?
Being loyal to the P&L, in that way I know that the outcome will always be right. Based on factual information and actively listening to all perspectives with reflection.
What future goals are you excited about?
Navigating the UK and Europe markets. Learning consumers, customers, competitors.
Have you had any international or different cultural experiences in your career?
Yes – I recently emmigrated to England. Over and above I spent a significant amount of time in Nigeria and Kenya. I work for an American company so its very interesting the English vs the American vs the African.
What key skills should a newly qualified accountant develop on their path to becoming a CFO?
The ability to constantly learn and stay curious.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I believe there are 24 hours in a day and as long as it gets done, I am good. I work on the deliverables of the day and not the times. I believe that companies must be flexible as the role of a CFO is 24 hours like being a mum and everything else. Life should be a ecosystem of addressing all stakeholder needs.
What are your interests outside of work?
I write a blog. I love travelling. I am super passionate about coaching and impacting people’s lives.I love chores – cooking, baking and being outside in the wild.
How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
I am an active member of CFO.SA; I have written and continue to write CFO pices, I coach and grow people through story telling in my blogs. I actively speak at summits and conferences.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a CFO?
Be authentic! Lead from your heart and makes decisions that leave you feeling great. sometimes it will feel hard and that you sacrifised your career progression by driving accountability by holding a line, but it will always be the right thing to do.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra?
#BeYou
Share your favourite leadership lesson.
Start slow, Finish Fast.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your business bio?
I write a blog!
What’s your favorite non-business app on your phone?
FaceBook
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
This is a hard one – Unlimited patience.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Focusing on the end goal.
If you could relive one day from your professional career, which day would it be and why?
The day I signed the biggest deal!!!
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