Spotlight Sports Group CFO leaves business after 26 years
Industry veteran Mark Francis calls time on two-decade-plus spell with Racing Post parent company
Spotlight Sports Group chief financial officer Mark Francis has left the firm after 26 years with the Racing Post parent company.
Francis, who originally joined Mirror Group Newspapers in 1997 as a trainee accountant, was promoted to finance manager in 2000 following the company’s acquisition of the Racing Post in 1998.
Successive promotions followed as Francis was named financial controller in 2004 and then finance director in 2006.
In 2007, Francis was named Racing Post CFO following a carve-out of the business from Trinity Mirror to FL Capital Partners.
Francis then played key roles in the history of the company, including the management buyout of debt following the collapse of Anglo Irish Bank in 2014 and the sale of the business to Exponent Private Equity in 2016.
In 2020, following the Racing Post’s rebrand to Spotlight Sports Group, Francis retained his position as CFO while adding the role of company secretary to his remit of responsibilities.
His career also saw him oversee a slew of M&A moves including those of ICS-Digital, Alarm Sports Network, Apsley and ANZ Bloodstock while managing the Covid-19 disruption.
Addressing his decision to step down, Francis said: “My time as CFO of the Racing Post, aka Spotlight Sports Group, has finally come to an end.
“During my tenure, I have helped sell the business twice, refinance twice, undertake a successful M&A strategy, and deliver phenomenal organic growth both at home and in the US.
“A traditional print business at the beginning, the Spotlight Sports Group is now a thriving multimedia operation with a broad global focus.
“While being fully supported by owners Exponent Private Equity, I’ve had the privilege of working with the very best out there. An array of impeccable talent across all areas of the business. Time out for the summer, and then ready for a brand-new challenge,” he added.