Stephen James Burt ACA
Committed to Excellence
Working within Wales, the UK and Internationally, I have more than 30 years of experience in financial and general management and a solid foundation of business leadership skills. I have worked in a wide range of sectors from high-volume manufacturing to cutting-edge biotechnology and medical devices and I am now an established and respected member of the Welsh business community with well-developed networks into key organisations in the region.
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Currently, I specialise in supporting start-ups and early stage SMEs and have extensive experience in grant applications, business modelling and investment pitches. I have previously worked effectively with larger businesses and corporate groups, including FTSE 250 companies. I hold a select number of Executive and Non-Executive Directorships and am able to offer comprehensive Business Consultancy and Financial Management Services to ensure that your company has the best possible chance of success.
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My particular strengths lie within Strategic Business Planning and Team Leadership & Communication. I am passionate about nurturing and developing thriving businesses and supporting highly motivated and enthusiastic management groups. I am committed to excellence at all levels of working but particularly enjoy mentoring emerging leaders.
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Having started out with an Honours Degree in Accountancy from Exeter University, I obtained my Chartered Accountant status four years later with Price Waterhouse. I then rapidly transitioned into industry and have spent the majority of my working life in the manufacturing sector. In 2011, I undertook further studies to become a Chartered Company Secretary (now Governance Professional). Over the years, I have broadened and updated my qualifications with the Institute of Leadership and Management and the Chartered Institute of Marketing. My latest accreditation, in 2025, was as a 'Help to Grow' Mentor.
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Experience and Expertise
Testimonials from a few of the businesses and individuals I am proud to have been involved with recently.
We have been SO fortunate to have the benefit of Steve’s guidance, talents, calm nature and steady stewardship! Early-stage startups are tumultuous and filled with unknowns; having someone with Steve’s experience and skillset alongside us has been such an asset. It has demonstrably helped us grow, and Steve’s management has placed the foundation of our business at a level that exceeds our stage. Thank you so much for the dedication (and good humour), Steve! It has meant the world to us.
Tamara Goldstein, COO The Smart Container Company
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Steve has brought a fantastic breadth of knowledge, experience and freshness to our board. Not only has Steve helped us navigate complex financial challenges, but has inspired us to unlock new markets and to refine our offering.
Steve has the uncanny ability to communicate and present even the most complicated financial models in a simple and elegant way, allowing us to focus on driving the business forward.
Personally, Steve has become a sounding board and mentor since joining the organisation. Challenging me to think bigger and to focus on strategy, rather than the nitty-gritty. I always know Steve is at the end of the phone if I need him and his advice and support is invaluable.
Jamie McGowan, CEO Welsh ICE
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Working with Stephen has been invaluable. Not only was he able to use his experience, skills and knowledge to support my thinking for business growth, but he was able to provide me with lots of food for thought about my personal learning journey. His conversational technique is agile (based on what you need at that time), and he has a fantastic way of knowing when to be a sounding board and when to challenge!
Helen Arnold-Richardson, Managing Director, Do-IT Solutions Ltd
Steve joined Industrial Phycology Ltd as part-time Finance Director at the start of 2020 and was appointed as Statutory Director soon after.
He quickly grasped the business fundamentals, shows excellent commercial acumen and we continue to benefit from his wealth of business experience. His contribution to the business goes well beyond his FD role.
He supports us with robust financial reporting and strong governance which has helped us secure both equity and debt finance over the last 12 months.
On a personal level, he has helped me formulate my own plans and he offers a constructive and challenging sounding board for new ideas.
I would thoroughly recommend him as a great addition to any company.
Russell Bright, CEO Industrial Phycology Ltd
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Having been introduced through Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) A&R were delighted to be offered the support and mentoring from Stephen Burt. Stephen worked with myself personally on a 1-2-1 basis where he helped me develop my leadership skills, knowledge and helped me understand how to manage a team of higher-level management.
Coaching and mentoring from Stephen has helped me progress on to the next step of leadership and really has provided me with the confidence and knowledge to continue my journey.
Stephen worked with the whole office and Management team, and completed workshops on time management and business priorities. This was a real eye opener, and really got us all thinking how we can take more accountability for each department’s roles and responsibilities and how much information really needs to be shared. We have been working more cohesively as a team and we are excited to see where 2021 takes us.
Thank you to Stephen for all your hard work and sharing so much with myself and the A&R team.
Rayner Davies, MD A&R Cleaning Services Ltd
Steve is passionate about engaging with teams and supporting their development. Steve set the company (Berendsen Clinical Solutions Ltd) strategy in conjunction with the senior management team, ensuring that all members of the wider team were aware of the company direction via regular team briefs and Q&A sessions. I worked with Steve to create a development programme based around the company strategy. This was an interactive development programme built around different case studies and scenarios with coaching and feedback built in. Steve was fundamental in the creative thinking behind this programme ensuring that the key business messages were delivered, received and understood by everyone that attended. He has a collaborative style with the management team constantly seeking ideas for continuous improvement and striving for business excellence.
Andrea Richardson MCIPD, People Puzzles Ltd
