A good company should make sure employees really can work their way up through the organization, according to Sir Terry Leahy. Chief executive of Tesco between 1997 and 2011, Leahy is his own best example, having first stirred his passion for the retailer while stacking shelves during school holidays as... Read more
A good company should make sure employees really can work their way up through the organization, according to Sir Terry Leahy. Chief executive of Tesco between 1997 and 2011, Leahy is his own best example, having first stirred his passion for the retailer while stacking shelves during school holidays as a young adult.
Knighted for services to food retailing in the 2002 New Year Honours, Leahy is known for transforming the supermarket industry in Britain, growing Tesco to the largest chain in the country and disrupting the businesses of its competitors. Experts credit Leahy’s success to his hands-on style and marketing prowess, while Leahy places focus on experience and low-key leadership.
Terry Leahy joined Tesco in 1979 as a Marketing Executive and was promoted to Marketing Manager in 1981. From 1984 to 1986 he held the position of Marketing Director for Tesco Stores Ltd. He was appointed Commercial Director of Fresh Foods in 1986. Appointed to the Board of Tesco PLC as Marketing Director in 1992, and was appointed Deputy Managing Director in February 1995.
He is the man behind the Clubcard loyalty scheme which gave supermarkets access to vital customer behaviour information for the first time and led to innovations in both products and services based on data analysis. As a result Tesco now offers a wide range of services, including insurance, broadband internet, credit cards and Child Trust Funds. He also introduced the local, Tesco Metro concept.
In 2011 Terry announced his retirement in order to concentrate on ‘private investment’ and published his first book, Management in 10 Words. The book draws on his own experience as a business leader and innovator, offering advice on how to motivate people and create customer loyalty as well as setting ambitious targets and the practical tools needed to make it all happen.
In March 2008 Terry Leahy was nominated by Retail Week as Retail Leader of the Year. From 2005 to 2010 he was voted as Britain’s Most Admired Leader by Management Today and in 2004 he was named European Businessman of the year by Fortune Magazine. In 2010 he received the Daily Telegraph’s Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business a Lifetime Achievement aware from Director Magazine and was voted Business Person of the Year by the Sunday Times.
Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.
You can book Terry Leahy through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Terry's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Terry Leahy's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Terry tailored to your event.
Terry Leahy speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Terry to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Terry Leahy for events worldwide, subject to Terry's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Terry Leahy is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Terry can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Terry Leahy on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Terry can offer.
Terry Leahy delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Terry Leahy's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Terry's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Terry Leahy can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Terry's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Terry Leahy is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Terry Leahy, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Terry's current availability for your dates.