A HOSPITAL boss has resigned after admitting stealing more than �40,000 from his previous employers, the EADT can reveal.

Mark Gorton, who was director of Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital in Foxhall Road, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft by an employee at Taunton Deane Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Gorton, 37, of Coprolite Street in Ipswich, resigned from his role at the private hospital on the same day.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary told the EADT, Gorton admitted stealing �40,820 from Southwest Healthcare Partnership - where he is understood to have been managing director.

The first charge relates to �27,477 stolen between November 23, 2010 and May 11, 2011.

The second to an amount totalling �13,165, stolen between November 22, 2010 and January 26 this year.

And the third offence relates to �178 stolen on November 29, 2011.

Gorton, who cites financial management as one of his areas of expertise on his Linkedin profile, is expected to be sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on August 24.

In an e-mail sent to staff at the hospital, David Wylde, regional director, said: “Nuffield Health has taken action on this matter as soon as was possible and the situation is in no way concerning issues at any of our hospitals.”

He said Barbara Baker, who already works at the hospital, has stepped in during the “time of transition” until a permanent replacement is found.

A spokesman for Nuffield Health said: “Mark Gorton no longer works for Nuffield Health. He left when the nature of this issue from his previous employment was clarified.

“We have made arrangements for a strong director to run Ipswich hospital on a temporary basis at the moment and are already recruiting for a permanent replacement.”

Gorton took over at the helm of Ipswich’s private hospital earlier this year.

On Linkedin Gorton describes himself as “a professional with vast business experience which brings the unique combination of entrepreneurial flair and solid operations management.”

It states: “My aim is to continue to progress in senior leadership roles and to drive business forward both in terms of top line growth and profit.”