Roger Flynn Biography
Roger Flynn is an accomplished businessman and keynote speaker whose experience is unique having worked at a Director/CEO level in five global companies across multiple industries at times of rapid change. He has run businesses with turnovers between £400m and £2bn, with millions of customers and thousands of staff.
Background and career
Roger worked directly for Sir Richard Branson at Virgin following the late 80’s highly leveraged buy-out of Virgin Group Plc to develop a range of businesses across the Group. He was heavily involved in the media businesses including the joint venturing and sale of Virgin Records to EMI, the launch of Virgin Radio, the rapid development and sale of Virgin Interactive Entertainment amongst many other things in a fabulously exciting and entertaining 7 years.
Roger joined BA during the $1bn dirty-tricks lawsuit claim by Virgin; Worked during the transition from Lord Colin Marshall to Bob Ayling; the aggressive expansion strategy, aggressive retraction strategy, strike, launch of Go, launch of fabulous new First and Club World products, reconstruction of the distribution value chain including tackling the costs of third party distribution alongside launching new direct channels like the internet and of course the tailfins saga!
Roger joined immediately after the $2bn pensions miss-selling debacle to run the UK Retail business (“The man from the Pru”). He drove a major business transformation including an exhilarating and exhausting culture change for 6,500 people; launched new products and channels and was sued by the British Cycling Federation. He was also involved in the wider UK activity driven by Sir Peter Davis and Jonathan Bloomer including the development of new UK businesses such as Scottish Amicable, M&G and the launch of Egg.
Roger joined the Executive Team working with Greg Dyke during one of the most eventful times in BBC history; the Hutton affair, the culture change that made them cry when Greg left, the launch of Freeview, the battles with Sky, and the rejuvenation of BBC1. Chief Executive of the commercial media services group with 4,500 people. He transformed the capabilities from Public Service back office to commercial businesses, grew revenues rapidly, dramatically changed the customer relationship, innovated product offerings and ending in the successful £0.5bn sale of BBC Technology.
Roger is currently President International of SDI Media Group, a global company providing media services to the major players in the Film and Television Industry. SDI is Private Equity backed by Elevation Partners, a US based firm that includes Bono, the lead singer of U2 as a Managing Director and Co-Founder. Elevation makes large-scale investments in market-leading media, entertainment, and consumer related businesses.
Speaking Topics
Roger Flynn is an accomplished businessman and keynote speaker with unique experience as Director/CEO in five global companies.
• Transformation
• Turnaround
• Strategy in Action
• Leading Culture Change
• Delighting the Customer
• Innovation
For further information or to book Roger Flynn for a corporate event, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Roger Flynn Video
Roger Flynn Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Roger Flynn. For more information on Roger Flynn please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Roger Flynn News
A selection of relevant news related to Roger Flynn, Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers, Change and Turnaround Speakers, Leadership Speakers and Sales/Customer Service stories. For more information on Roger Flynn or details as to how to book Roger Flynn for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Sir Terry Leahy Adjusts to Life After Tesco
11th April 2013
Business speaker and former CEO of Tesco, Sir Terry Leahy stepped down from his position at Tesco in 2011 at the age of 55, he has since started working with several charities, invested in small businesses and written a book.
Mary Perkins Wins Director of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award
2nd November 2011
Director Magazine has awarded Dame Mary Perkins, Specsavers queen, entrepreneur, and retail keynote speaker, the Director of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.
Entrepreneurs’ Forum Boasts Speakers Corner's Best
20th May 2011
The North East of England is the venue for the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, where a handful of Speakers Corner’s top talent take the stage to inspire business leaders and aspirational executives from all over the UK. Hamish McRae, Sarah Willingham, Tim Smit, James Timpson, James Cracknell, and Simon Calver are all on the programme, as are Kanya King, Douglas McWilliams, Karen Mattison, John Timpson and Richard Huntingford – all inspiration and charismatic public speakers.
Ted Global 2013 Takes Place in Edinburgh
11th June 2013
This year’s Ted Global conference is taking place in Edinburgh at the Edinburgh International Conference Center. Some of the world’s most accomplished speakers will take to the stage to talk about the political, economic and environmental issues that we face in today’s society.
Chris Anderson Advises on Killer Presentations
30th May 2013
TED Curator and keynote speaker, Chris Anderson, has given his advice and knowledge on how to give a killer presentation.
Self-Help Books; A Billion Dollar Industry
30th April 2013
Self-help books are increasingly popular among the British public than ever before and an increased number of us are turning to self help books in the hope that they will solve lives problems.
Mike Forde Links Business to Football
18th April 2013
Business speaker and one of the UK’s leading sports executives, Mike Forde has compared the ideas and practices used in professional football to those used in business environments.
Noreena Hertz Finishes New Book
4th April 2013
Keynote speaker and leading futurist, Noreena Hertz has finished her most recent book, which will be published in the US and the UK in September 2013.
Will Whitehorn Appointed as Chair of Catapult Board
27th March 2013
Keynote speaker and former President of Virgin Galactic, Will Whitehorn, has been appointed as chairman of the new Transport System Catapult.
Simon Calver Becomes an Author
28th February 2013
After dinner speaker and current CEO of Mothercare, Simon Calver, has decided to write a book about his time working as the head of Lovefilm, the movie rental service.
Roger Flynn Reviews
Roger Flynn has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Roger Flynn for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Roger Flynn for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Roger's presentation perfectly complemented the theme of our Senior Leaders' Risk conference. He related his relevant business experience in a way that resonated with the audience, particularly the challenges of managing change.
Thank you for your excellent contribution to our Conference. You certainly helped in making it a great success. LawNet Many of the delegates commented on how inspiring and thought provoking they found your speech.
Thank you so much for all your efforts to make the conference such a resounding success. The 850 delegates were really impressed with both the substance and significance of your presentation and achievements. Thank you for a terrific job
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your talk and the discussions during the remainder of the two days suggested that many of your comments had struck a note with the delegates
Many of the delegates commented on how inspiring and thought provoking they found your speech
Your talk at the Waterfront for the MLN Event was exceptional, inspirational and I am sure you made a difference to many in that room.
Interesting speaker, engaging.
Roger was clear, concise, and had an easy and open style. He reflected his considerbale change management experience and told a compelling story which gave practicla insights on how leaders needed to change their behaviour to drive change in the business.
Q & A with Roger Flynn
Roger Flynn answered some probing questions for Speakers Corner. For speaking secrets revealed - read on! To book Roger Flynn for your event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Speakers Corner: How did the corporate speaking all start?
Roger Flynn: An enquiry in 2004 when I was at the BBC
Speakers Corner: Can you remember your first speaking engagement?
Roger Flynn: Yes, it was Rexam Plc and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Speakers Corner: And your last event?
Roger Flynn: Athens CEO Conference with 350 people. I followed the Finance Minister!
Speakers Corner: Which event has been your favourite and why?
Roger Flynn: I have loved them all. Possibly Belfast last year because I was able to go onto Dublin and watch England v Ireland in the Rugby!
Speakers Corner: If you could speak at any event, past or future, what would it be?
Roger Flynn: Would have to be the next global climate change summit – we have to move faster to save the planet
Speakers Corner: Who would you most like to share a platform with?
Roger Flynn: Winston Churchill
Speakers Corner: Do you use powerpoint?
Roger Flynn: Yes but with more pictures than words – it has to add to and enhance what I’m saying.
Speakers Corner: Are you as happy speaking to 50 as to 1,000 people?
Roger Flynn: Yes totally happy with both. Have spoken to 3,000 before and love the way you can get a large group enthralled. However I also love the intimacy and enquiry of a small group – terrific for Q & A.
Speakers Corner: Do you always like to do a briefing call before the event?
Roger Flynn: Absolutely and followed up with a speech summary to make sure it delivers exactly what the client needs
Speakers Corner: What are the most asked for topics?
Roger Flynn: Leadership, Change management, innovation, Re-thinking strategy/business models
Speakers Corner: Is your speech at all interactive with audience participation?
Roger Flynn: Not fully interactive but I do like to move around the audience and ask questions
Speakers Corner: Do you have any funny/embarrassing speaking anecdotes you care to share?
Roger Flynn: At one of my first speeches I was washing my hands in the bathroom before going on stage when one of the delegates looked at me and said “Oh God I wonder what they have lined up for us next” to which I replied “Well that would be me then!”
Speakers Corner: Your favourite film?
Roger Flynn: Love Actually by the amazing Richard Curtis
Speakers Corner: Favourite book?
Roger Flynn: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Speakers Corner: Favourite holiday destination ?
Roger Flynn: Mauritius
Speakers Corner: Country or townie?
Roger Flynn: Both - London and Devon
For further information or to book Roger Flynn, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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