Kevin Gaskell

Kevin Gaskell always planned to be a Civil Engineer. After graduating in Structural Engineering and winning the ‘Institution of Civil Engineers Prize’ at the University of Bradford he accepted a scholarship to study for an MBA. Following his MBA he enjoyed some years as a construction engineer working on projects including the Birmingham NEC, M54 Motorway and Pedigree Petfoods Head office.

But then it changed.

Kevins frustration at the inefficiency of the construction industry encouraged him to seek new areas of challenge. He was invited to join Dow Corning Manufacturing as a management accountant and enjoyed four years of accountancy study and the development of his commercial skills.

Kevin Gaskell then followed his passion (and a Sunday Times job ad!) to join Porsche Cars Great Britain Limited as a Regional Manager. After 4 years of steadily increasing responsibility he was asked at the age of 32 to accept the role of Managing Director. He remained at Porsche for 5 years where his team rebuilt the brand and turned a business close to bankruptcy into the UK’s most profitable car business. During this period the company bought and revitalised Lamborghini GB Limited and reorganised and remodelled the AFN motor retail group.

He was invited to accept the role as Group CEO of BMW GB Limited where he led the repositioning of the BMW brand and 4 years of record growth. Kevin Gaskell left BMW to follow his vision of remodelling the automotive sector by the establishment of CarsDirect.com, one of the first generation of online retailers of new cars.

Kevin has a unique talent for engaging audiences – and for inspiring them to take action. His experiences of driving turnarounds, achieving 500% profit growth and transforming local companies into global players were acquired within the corporate environment. His entrepreneurial experience of founding businesses, acquiring underperforming companies and transforming them into market leaders has allowed him to develop a complementary set of skills and knowledge.

Major companies recognise that an external speaker can stimulate new thought and inspire new actions. Kevin has worked globally as a keynote speaker and change catalyst for such companies as: Accenture, AIB, BNP Paribas, Close Brothers, Countrywide, Delphi, EADS, Ernst + Young, Gartner, Google, Kelloggs, Liberty Global, Marine Harvest, MDRT, Michael Page, Nedbank, Nestle, Old Mutual, Oracle, PEP store, Procter & Gamble, Prudential, PWC, Rio Tinto, TBWA, Virgin, Volkswagen, White & Case.

As one of the most talented businessmen of his generation he was formally recognised as one of the ‘40 most capable leaders under 40’. Kevin chaired the UK’s ‘best performing private equity investment of the year’ and has had his latest business recognised by Fast Company as the ‘7th most innovative company in the world’. In short, Kevin has been there and delivered it and is still delivering it!

Kevin’s speaking style is lively, energetic and involving with a gentle layer of self-deprecating humour. He shares with the audience the methods and techniques that drive success. Using his personal achievements and translating those into a business action plan gives listeners the answer to the question ‘What should I do on Monday morning?’