| Robert Elstone | |
| Birth Name: | Robert Colin Elstone |
| Birth Date: | 1964 2, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Barnsley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Occupation: | Businessman, accountant |
| Alma Mater: | University of Hull |
| Nationality: | British |
| Spouse: | Catherine Elstone |
| Children: | Fergus, Michael, Niamh Elstone |
Robert Colin Elstone (born 6 February 1964) is a British businessman.
He attended the University of Hull and is a qualified accountant. He was originally a financial controller at a Barnsley-based lead-processing plant but later became an Executive Assistant at the Rugby Football League. He is the brother-in-law of football manager Mick McCarthy.[1]
At Deloitte Touche, a company he joined in the mid-1990s, Elstone acted as an advisor to leagues, clubs and sports-related organisations on a range of strategic and commercial activities.
He was involved in the creation and branding of both the Scottish Premier League and the Super League and at the time said: "We worked on the formation of the SPL from cradle to the grave, it was long and ground-breaking, and very rewarding.
He moved to BSkyB as a Director of Football Business Affairs in 2000 and worked closely with a number of Premier League clubs following Sky's acquisition of equity in four leading clubs. In 2004, he returned to Deloitte Touche as a director.[2]
Whilst at his favoured Castleford Tigers, Elstone oversaw the club's preparatory work towards relocation to a new stadium.[3]
He resigned from his position in January 2007 citing family reasons. He said: "I have been very conscious of the declining commitment I have been able to give to the Club over the past 12 months. The combination of a demanding job, a young family and the simple fact of where I live means that I cannot fulfil my duties to the level they demand. As a lifelong fan, I have felt incredibly privileged to serve the Club in such an important capacity over the past few years. However, I have to say, after a long time away, I'm really looking forward to going back into the Wheldon Road End and becoming a proper fan again. "[4] [5]
Elstone joined Everton as deputy to Keith Wyness in June 2005. As Deputy CEO it was his responsibility to assist in "developing an efficient organisational structure, securing and empowering a strong management team, ensuring appropriate levels of financial reporting and accountability, delivering commercial growth, principally via filling the stadium at higher yields and securing new sponsors".[6] He is responsible for the negotiation of the club's long-standing sponsorship deal with Chang.
He was appointed as Acting chief executive officer on 5 August 2008 following the resignation of Wyness. On 22 January 2009 he was appointed as CEO on a permanent basis. Upon his appointment he said: "This is a big job – one of the biggest in world football – but I can promise all Evertonians that I will work tirelessly for the cause."[7]
In March 2016 he was appointed to the Everton Football Club board.[8] Elstone left his role as Everton CEO in June 2017, having taken the role of Chief Executive of Super League. He was replaced by Denise Barrett-Baxendale.
Elstone’s employment as a Director was terminated by Everton on 1 June 2018.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to sport.