Gerry Robinson – Keynote Speaker

Former CEO, presenter of TV series 'Gerry's Big Decision'

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Gerry Robinson Profile Picture

Specialist Subjects

  • Business

Biography

Sir Gerry Robinson is one of the most recognised and respected businessmen in the UK. He has led some of the largest consumer facing businesses over the past 3 decades. He has been Chairman of Allied Domecq PLC (2002–05), Granada (1996-2001), The Arts Council of England (1998–2004), British Sky Broadcasting Group (1995–98), and ITN (1995–97). Robinson is currently Chairman of Moto Hospitality Ltd and in 2013 he became Chairman of portfolio company PICS, a high quality children’s care services provider.

He regularly appears on British television and radio as a celebrity businessman, and was awarded a knighthood in 2003 for his services to the Arts and Business. He is renowned for his expertise in successful management, leadership, strategic planning and mergers and takeovers.

Gerry Robinson began his career in accounting in 1965, and since then has worked in the manufacturing, support services and entertainment sectors where he has led businesses through significant growth and change. In 1987 he led the UK’s then largest management buy-out with the £163m purchase of Division, later renamed the Compass Group. He joined Granada in October 1991 as chief executive and was chairman 1996-2001. He steered Granada through various mergers and hostile takeovers including London Weekend Television (1993), and the Forte Hotels chain (1996).

Over the years Gerry Robinson has created a number of programmes for television. These have included programmes looking at turning around failing businesses “Show Them Who’s Boss” (BBC, 2004) and ‘Gerry’s Big Decision’ (Channel 4, 2009) in which he decided whether to invest his own money in companies. He also made a series on the management of the NHS ‘Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? (BBC, 2007) ‘, and ‘Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? One Year On’ (BBC, 2008). In 2011 he presented BBC2 show ‘Can’t Take It with You’, which helped people to write their wills. He is a frequent business expert on a range of other television and radio programmes, and his opinions on the business environment, business management and current affairs are frequently cited in the British print media.

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