Gerry Robinson

• Photo

Topics:

• Business
• Leadership
• Motivation & Teamwork

One of the foremost business leaders in the UK, Sir Gerry Robinson has headed up some of the largest companies in the UK. He is well known for presenting a programme on the BBC titled 'Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS?'.  He is an accomplished keynote and conference speaker on the issue of business turnaround and leadership.

Gerry's career in business

Gerry began his career in 1965 in the cost office of Lesney Products, (Matchbox Toys) after leaving St Mary’s Seminary at Castlehead.  During his time at Lesney he progressed through various accounting roles to become Chief Management Accountant in 1974.  He also, during that time, qualified as an ACMA.

In 1974 he moved to Lex Service Group as the Management Accountant for Lex's Volvo network.  By 1980 he had become Financial Controller and Finance Director of Lex Industrial Distribution and Hire.  He left Lex in 1980 to become Finance Director of Grand Metropolitan's UK Coca Cola business.  A year later he became its Sales & Marketing Director and then its Managing Director.  In 1983 he was appointed Managing Director of Grand Metropolitan's troubled International Services business and went on to become Chief Executive of the whole Contract Services division which in that year had lost some £10.5m.

In 1987 he led the UK's then largest management buy-out with the £163m purchase of the Division, subsequently renamed the Compass Group.  The Compass Group was later floated on the London market.

He joined Granada in October 1991 as Chief Executive and was Chairman from 1996 until 2001.  He has also been Chairman of BSkyB PLC, ITN, Arts Council England and Allied Domecq PLC.  Currently Chairman of Moto Hospitality Ltd.

Television Personality

He has led a business series for the BBC, I’ll Show Them Who’s Boss and written a book of the same title on business leadership.  He has more recently presented a three part programme for BBC2 titled Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? and is currently completing a follow up.  He has appeared on numerous chat shows and current affairs programmes on both TV & radio in the UK and Ireland.

Gerry was awarded a Knighthood in the 2003 New Year’s Honours for Services to the Arts and Business.

For further information or to book Sir Gerry Robinson, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk