James Taylor is the CFO of Rangers Football Club. His first year at the club has so far included a change of Football Manager and a trophy for the Men’s team with a lot more to play for before the season ends.

However in this episode, we explore more off-the-pitch aspects such as his career goal to be a CFO in the world of sport, why finance professionals should understand marketing and commercialism, and the Rangers 2030 strategy centered around the club’s biggest and most important stakeholder group, the supporters.

This episode is not only for sports fans but is also for aspiring finance professionals. Enjoy!

OUTLINE OF TIMINGS

0:00-6:11: Introduction and family influence on wanting to work in the world of sport.

6:12-12:11: From professional services to Finance. Learning how to communicate financial performance to different audiences.

12:12-16:27: Working in Product control, living in Singapore, and adapting to new surroundings (*apologies for the doors banging in the background but hospitality staff were preparing for the match that evening*)

16:28-18:16: Upskilling in areas of strategy and commercial finance to prepare for working in sport. Learning how to build the revenue line as a finance professional. Successful commercial performance at Rangers in recent years.

18:17-26:45: Taking the leap to that first CFO role and building strong trustworthy relationships with senior leadership including at Rangers.

26:46-28:55: Moving into hospitality and then the world of sport. 

28:56-32:24: What aspiring CFO’s should think about upskilling in and gaining experience of.

32:25-37:02: The importance of a culture of honesty and transparency especially with stadiums full of supporters. Working on building a successful winning Rangers.

37:03-39:53: Managing working capital successfully, making Rangers more profitable, and providing the best possible product on and off the football pitch.

39:54-42:18: The excitement of working at Rangers and everything about working in elite-level sport. The impact of the new Men’s Manager (Clement).

42:19-44:34: Momentum. Goals for James and the Finance team to make tangible positive differences to the club.

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