Rupert Gavin is perhaps best known as the former CEO of the world’s largest cinema chain, Odeon/UCI a post he held for almost ten years

A well established figure in the world of business, Rupert began his working life as a Hollywood script writer, a fitting beginning for the man who went on to become the CEO of the Odeon and UCI Cinema Groups, a role he held from 2005-2014 building it into the largest cinema company in Europe. 

Prior to this Gavin was head of BBC Worldwide during which time he was responsible for all global commercial activities including; TV Channels, co-productions, magazines, books and home entertainment. Also at this time he was awarded the Queen’s Award for Exports and made a member of the BBC’s Executive Committee. 

His diverse and extensive career has also seen him hold such roles as; Director of Dixon’s Stores Group, Deputy Managing Director – Consumer Division of British Telecom, Board Director of Virgin Mobile and Director of Saatchi and Saatchi. He is a former director and shareholder of The Ambassador Theatre Group, co-producing over 100 theatre productions, served as Governor of the National Film and Television School and Treasurer of the Contemporary Art Society. 

Other current or previous roles include being a board director of Wyevale Garden Centres, a board director of Countrywide plc, executive chairman of his West End producing company Incidental Colman, Chairman of theatre Co Productions Ltd and Chairman of the Honours Committee for Media and The Arts. 

Among his most recent appointments is the role of Chairman of Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity responsible for the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, the Banqueting House, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.

With such vast knowledge across the arts, media and business worlds, it is not surprising that Rupert is much sought after for his conference and after dinner presentations. His topics of speech cover; marketing and advertising, consumer electronics, retailing, publishing, new media, entertainment, broadcasting, telecommunications, theatre and the arts.