Cliff Baty is an experienced finance leader with deep expertise in strategic and financial planning, investor relations, financial controls, international business operations, and stakeholder management, built across listed leisure and gaming businesses. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1992 with a degree in chemistry and later qualified as a chartered accountant, beginning his career at professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY).
Baty spent eight years as Financial Director of Ladbrokes plc before becoming CFO of Sportech plc from 2013 to 2016. He then served as Chief Financial Officer of Manchester United plc from March 2016, also joining its board in December 2017. He left Manchester United at the end of the 2023/24 season. In February 2026, he was appointed interim CFO of The Rank Group plc, effective 23 February 2026, a role that leverages his extensive sector experience.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ladbrokes plc | Financial Director | 2005-01-01 – 2013-01-01 |
| Sportech plc | Chief Financial Officer | 2013-01-01 – 2016-01-01 |
| Rank Group | Interim Chief Financial Officer | – present |
| The Rank Group | Interim Chief Financial Officer | – present |