Sir Lloyd Dorfman

Sir Lloyd Dorfman is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who combines decades of business leadership with a passionate commitment to the arts and social impact. He founded Travelex in 1976 from a single London shop, growing it into the world's largest foreign exchange retailer before its sale in 2015, and continues to invest in ventures including Doddle and Dorfman Media Holdings alongside his recent acquisition of the landmark 4 Oxford Street building. Knighted in 2018 for services to philanthropy and the arts, he serves as Chairman of the Royal Opera House and Vice-President of Prince's Trust International, amongst numerous other leadership roles. Audiences gain powerful insights into scaling businesses, strategic leadership, and how to weave meaningful philanthropy into commercial success.

From a single foreign exchange shop in central London in 1976, Sir Lloyd Dorfman built Travelex into the world's largest retailer of foreign currency, transforming a modest operation into a global business before its sale in 2015. That entrepreneurial drive has continued to shape his career, most recently demonstrated through his 2026 acquisition of the landmark 4 Oxford Street building alongside General Projects, a vote of confidence in the future of London's premier retail destination. His business portfolio spans multiple sectors, including his role as Chairman and co-founder of Doddle, the e-commerce IT platform launched in 2014, and Chairman of Dorfman Media Holdings, a media company focused on film and TV finance and production established in 2018. He also serves as a shareholder and Board Director of the London Theatre Company, sits on the Business Advisory Board of the Mayor of London, and maintains a significant flexible office portfolio following the successful sale of The Office Group to Blackstone in 2017.

Sir Lloyd's commitment to the arts and charitable causes runs parallel to his commercial success, earning him a knighthood in 2018 for services to philanthropy and the arts, following his CBE in 2008 and The Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy in 2011. He became Chairman of the Royal Opera House in 2022 after serving as a Trustee since 2015, and holds the position of Vice-President of Prince's Trust International, having previously served as Chairman from 2015 to 2021. His influence across the cultural landscape includes over nine years on the Board of the National Theatre, where the Cottesloe Theatre was renamed the Dorfman Theatre in 2013, and trusteeships with BAFTA, the Royal Academy Trust, and numerous other institutions. He continues as Deputy Chairman of the Community Security Trust and Trustee of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, demonstrating a sustained dedication to community security and historical remembrance. His recognition extends to a CVO awarded in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2022, alongside honorary positions including Honorary Colonel of the Third Battalion of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and Honorary Fellow of St Peter's College, Oxford.

Audiences benefit from Sir Lloyd's rare combination of commercial acumen and purposeful philanthropy, gaining practical insights into scaling businesses, strategic leadership, and the integration of social impact into commercial ventures. His experience navigating multiple successful exits, building diverse portfolios, and maintaining long-term commitments to cultural and charitable institutions offers valuable lessons in sustainable growth and legacy building. Whether addressing entrepreneurship, arts leadership, or the evolving landscape of British business and philanthropy, he provides audiences with actionable perspectives drawn from decades of hands-on experience, helping leaders understand how to balance commercial success with meaningful contribution to society.