Rupert Gavin

CEO of the largest cinema group in Europe, Odeon and UCI, Rupert Gavin is an influential retail speaker who also combines his previous experience of many corporate directorships, as well as being the head of BBC Worldwide, delivering an insight into the highest realms of both public and private corporations. Gavin was responsible for all of the BBC’s commercial activity whilst also overseeing a controversial and extensive programme of diversification.

Educated at Magdalene College at Cambridge University, Rupert gained a Master of Arts in Social and Political Philosophy. After he graduated, Rupert began his professional career as a film writer and soon progressed to a role in copywriting at Sharps advertising agency, where he later became an equity partner. His career at Sharps led him to relations with Dixons Stores Group, where he eventually became Deputy Managing Director. Starting a strong foundation in his career, Rupert moved forward in his career to positions as Managing Director of the consumer division at British Telecom, then Chief Executive of BBC Worldwide in 1998 and CEO of Odeon Cinemas and UCI Cinemas between 2005-2014.

Gavin’s sought after keynote and after dinner retail speeches primarily focus on retail, marketing, advertising, publishing, broadcasting, telecommunications and the arts. Rupert’s career is an embarrassment of riches of in-depth commercial retail experience, allowing him to speak and advise on consumer behaviour and the psychology behind spending during a recession. With a long-lasting career following him, Rupert is an established leader now serving as Chairman of Historic Royal Palaces, the charity accountable for the conservation of Kensington Palace, Banqueting House, Hillsborough Castle, Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, and Kew Place. Rupert is also Executive Chairman for Incidental Colman, a theatre production company which has produced on Broadway and in the West End, winning 17 Olivier Awards. Alongside his major current roles, Rupert additionally stands as Chairman of the HMG Honours Committee for Media and Arts, is Senior Assistant of the Court of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, Director of SOLT and Chairman of the Living Room Cinema.

Rupert’s keynote presentations and after dinner speeches consider Britain’s future retail source of Britain’s global competitiveness and the hazards and constraints the nation may face in time. Versant in the need for high growth for small businesses and in the governance challenges of large institutions, Rupert is a knowledgeable figure in the industry. Equally adept as an event or conference host, Rupert interacts with the audience with wit and charm whilst ensuring everything happens on time and runs smoothly to plan.