Oracle has named Hilary Maxson as its new Chief Financial Officer, marking a significant leadership move as the company accelerates its investments in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. The appointment is effective immediately and restores the CFO role, which had not been formally designated since Safra Catz took on financial responsibilities alongside her leadership role in 2014.
Maxson joins Oracle from Schneider Electric, where she served as Group CFO and played a key role in transforming the company into a digital energy and technology-focused enterprise. She brings extensive experience in infrastructure, energy, and finance, including earlier leadership roles at AES Corp.
Her appointment comes at a time when Oracle is significantly increasing its spending on AI and cloud infrastructure to meet growing demand. The company has projected capital expenditure of around $50 billion for its fiscal year, more than double the previous year’s spending, as it expands its data center capacity and cloud capabilities.
However, this aggressive investment strategy has drawn investor attention, particularly as Oracle’s free cash flow shifted to a deficit of $394 million in fiscal 2025. The company is also planning to raise up to $50 billion through a mix of debt and equity to fund its expansion, while its stock has declined by approximately 25% this year.
Maxson will report to CEO Clay Magouyrk and is expected to play a key role in ensuring disciplined financial management during this phase of high capital investment. Commenting on the transition, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to growth while delivering long-term value to customers and shareholders.
The leadership change also comes alongside broader restructuring efforts within Oracle, including layoffs and operational shifts, as the company aligns its resources toward AI-driven growth. Overall, the appointment signals Oracle’s intent to strengthen financial oversight as it navigates one of the most capital-intensive phases in its evolution.
