Steve Gillan

Steve is a founding Partner at Philanthrope, specialising in CFO and finance-led governance appointments for lower mid-market, sustainable and investor-backed businesses.

He works with founders, CEOs, boards and capital partners at inflection points: capital raises, refinancing, succession, expansion and exit preparation. His focus is on appointing finance leaders and board members who strengthen control, improve reporting discipline and build confidence under scrutiny.

Over the past decade, Steve has operated within three of the UK’s leading private equity and venture capital search firms, supporting hundreds of leadership appointments across investor-backed SMEs. His experience sits at the intersection of finance, capital and governance.

He co-leads Philanthrope Capital, deploying retained profits into early-stage sustainable enterprises and mission-aligned organisations, reinforcing the firm’s long-term stewardship model.

Steve is a Trustee of Ways Into Work, a supported employment charity, and has a longstanding commitment to strengthening leadership across the wider impact ecosystem.