Keynote SpeakersKevin Gaskell is a world-class business speaker and former UK MD of Porsche, BMW and Lamborghini, helping organisations drive growth and high-performance culture.
At just 32, Kevin was appointed UK Managing Director of Porsche. At the time, the business was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Under Gaskell’s leadership, he refocused the business on its engineering heritage and, within 5 years, turned Porsche into the UK’s most profitable car company. He was subsequently recognised as ‘One of the top 40 Managers under 40 in the UK.’
In 1995, he took on the role of MD at Lamborghini GB, where he rebuilt the brand, refocused its product strategy, and increased its commercial success.
In 1996, Kevin moved to BMW (GB) as MD. He led the business to 4 years of record performance, growing sales by 40% and profitability by 500%.
After leaving BMW in 2000, Kevin Gaskell was a pioneer in online car sales, founding CarsDirect.com (Europe).
“You played a key role in opening the minds of the audience and getting them to think!”
Google UK
When the company’s shareholders restructured in the USA, the team seized the opportunity to create Epyx Limited, a business that, in only 8 years, established its 1link platform as the UK’s standard e-commerce solution for the automotive fleet sector. In 2009, he sold his share of the business to the management team and HgCapital.
From 2001 to 2007, Kevin held the position of Group Chief Executive at EurotaxGlass’s AG in Switzerland.
With his team, he converted an assortment of companies in 31 countries into the global leader in providing online data, systems, and software to the automotive sector. In 2007, he led a €480 million management buyout before becoming non-executive President. He left the company in 2010.
Today, he remains actively involved in numerous companies worldwide as both an investor and founder, including the UK’s fastest-growing alternative fibre network provider, ITS Technology.
Adventurer:
Constantly seeking new challenges, he celebrated his 40th birthday by reaching the base camp of Mount Everest.
As a result, Kevin has continued to undertake extreme endurance and adventure challenges, including:
- Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean as part of a world-record-setting five-man crew.
- Rowing across the Pacific Ocean and becoming the oldest person to complete the crossing.
- Expeditions to both the North Pole and South Pole.
- Ultra-endurance and polar survival challenges.
He continues to climb some of the world’s highest mountains and walk to the Poles to raise further funds for the fight against cancer.
Kevin Gaskell – Leadership Speaker:
As a keynote speaker, Kevin Gaskell tailors his presentations to the audience’s needs and the organiser’s requirements. Topics include: Leadership, Team Building, Change Management, Innovation, Turnarounds and Branding.
Kevin’s content is topical, pragmatic, and grounded in over 25 years of experience leading major companies and delivering extraordinary results.
With an open, engaging style, practical advice is given to show how the audience can apply the tools and techniques in their own business.
Kevin’s speaking topics include:
Building a World-Class Company:
Great companies are creative and make progress despite, or sometimes due to, complex environments. Driving change or leading a turnaround is the key challenge for a leader. How does a company ensure it has a clear vision and an aligned team? What steps should a leader take to drive the business onto the next level of success? How can it be fun for everyone involved?
Practical Leadership in a Challenging Market:
What is the job specification of a corporate leader? How can the leader create a positive corporate culture and drive a business to success despite a challenging market? What does a leader need to bring to the role, and what can they expect to take from it? How can they achieve extraordinary results, even in difficult times?
Leadership or Heroship* – Success in Adversity:
Fewer than 100 people have walked to both the North and South Poles. Using practical lessons contrasting the experience of walking to the poles with that of driving business success, key messages are discussed, and a structured approach to achieving success is identified.
Building a World-Class Brand:
Great companies build great brands. How are brands developed, and how is long-term value enhancement achieved? How does the brand’s position within its market segment affect the product perception? Repositioning of the Porsche and BMW brands is used to illustrate the process.
Automotive Sector Commentary:
Specific issues, including the development of the European retail market, legislation, and financial perspectives for retail dealers and vehicle manufacturers.
