Gooch & Housego hires accountant Martin Hopcroft as interim CFO

(Alliance News) - Gooch & Housego PLC on Monday appointed chartered accountant Martin Hopcroft as interim chief financial officer whilst it recruits a permanent CFO.

The Ilminster, Somerset-based photonic components manufacturer said current CFO Chris Jewell will step down on September 30, its financial 2025 year-end.

Hopcroft's appointment is effective from July 28 to allow for a transition period. Meanwhile, Gooch & Housego said it will work with consulting firm Korn Ferry to find a permanent replacement.

Hopcroft previously worked as an auditor for KPMG & Co, before executive roles at various firms where he gained "significant experience supporting listed companies through transition periods", according to Gooch & Housego.

The company in June said its order book was "healthy", with "over 95% cover needed to support expected financial 2025 revenue". Still, it acknowledged "increased near-term risk" in the current economic climate.

During the six months that ended March 31, Gooch & Housego's pretax profit was GBP2.9 million, multiplying from GBP300,000 a year before. The company declared an interim dividend of 4.9 pence per share, unchanged from 2024.

Gooch & Housego will publish full-year results in December.

Its shares were down 4.8% at 601.99 pence on Monday morning in London, though the stock has risen 28% over the past 12 months.

By Holly Munks, Alliance News reporter

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