Steve Gofton FCCA
York,UK
Summary
Commercially astute Finance Leader with 20+ years of post-qualified experience shaping financial strategy, governance, and growth across multi-site operations in Sport, Media, FMCG, and Hospitality. Proven track record in driving profitability, optimising capital structures, delivering large-scale investment projects (£10m+), and influencing at Board level. Recognised for building high-performing teams, strengthening financial controls, and forging strong stakeholder, banking, and regulatory relationships.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1999
1999
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of Finance
International Racecourse Management Ltd
01.2000 - 09.2025
- Board-level finance lead for £20m turnover group, reporting to the CEO and 4 Boards of Directors.
- Provide strategic financial direction, treasury management, investment appraisal, and business partnering across UK and international sites.
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, delivering timely, accurate management information packs and KPIs.
- Manage group treasury functions including multi-currency hedging strategies and capital funding.
- Oversaw IT project investments (£600k), including new EPOS systems, Wi-Fi infrastructure, and betting platforms across multiple sites.
- Direct and develop a finance team of 5 across 5 locations, embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Advising international bank on redevelopment of Bahraini racecourse
- Committee roles: Audit Committee (Britbet LLP), Audit & Risk Committee (Racecourse Media Group), Company Secretary (Independent Racecourses Consortium LLP).
Director
IRM Event Safety & Security Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Co-Founded and scaled new business delivering security staff for major public events.
Financial Controller
Kernels Snack Products Ltd
Leeds
01.1997 - 01.2000
Fund Accountant
Chase Manhattan Bank
Sydney
01.1996 - 01.1997
Site Accountant
Vienna Group of Hotels
London
01.1991 - 01.1995
Education
FCCA -
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
BA (Hons) - Economics
Newcastle Polytechnic
Skills
- Strategic Financial Leader
- Board Advisor
- International Project Management
- Capital investment evaluation
- High IT literacy
- Balance sheet optimisation
- Negotiation prowess
Accomplishments
- Delivered £400k corporation tax savings
- Negotiated multi million pound commercial loans
- Successfully challenging HMRC employee contract interpretation.
- Secured a £650k business interruption insurance claim during Covid by maintaining robust financial documentation.
- Led financing and cashflow strategy to enable £10m+ investment projects and multi-million land sale negotiations.
- Reduced statutory audit turnaround times and fees by streamlining reporting packs and enhancing financial controls.
- Instigated and successfully closed two fully subscribed rights issues, strengthening capital structure.
- Achieved £100k refund from bank for mis-selling of financial products.
Timeline
Director
IRM Event Safety & Security Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2013
Head of Finance
International Racecourse Management Ltd
01.2000 - 09.2025
Financial Controller
Kernels Snack Products Ltd
01.1997 - 01.2000
Fund Accountant
Chase Manhattan Bank
01.1996 - 01.1997
Site Accountant
Vienna Group of Hotels
01.1991 - 01.1995
FCCA -
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
BA (Hons) - Economics
Newcastle Polytechnic
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