Sir Peter Gershon CBE FREng
Peter’s 35 year career has spanned both the private and public sectors since he graduated in Mathematics at Cambridge University in 1969. After starting in the computer industry (1969-1986) he held senior line general management positions in the telecommunications industry (1987-1994) and then became the main board director in GEC plc in 1994 with responsibility for its worldwide defence business. Successfully leading the management of change and creating shareholder value was a recurring feature of Peter’s time in these industries.
He joined the Civil Service in April 2000 as the first Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) with a remit to lead a major change programme to reform the way UK Central Civil Government handles over £13 billion p.a. of public procurement. Against an initial target to deliver £1 billion of value for money gains by March 03 the actual achievement was £1.6 billion and the foundations had been laid to deliver a further £3 billion by March 06.
In August 2003 the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer invited Peter to lead a major review of efficiency across the whole UK Public Sector (excluding Scotland and Wales). By July 2004 the review had secured agreement to, and developed initial plans for the delivery of, a programme leading to over £20 billion of savings in 07/08.
After more than 4 years of public service Peter returned to the private sector in 2004 and is now non-executive Chairman of General Healthcare Group Ltd., Premier Farnell plc. and Symbian Ltd. His other current appointments include non-executive directorship of HM Treasury, and membership of the council of Imperial College. In 2006 he completed a review of the arrangements for Ministerial and Royal Air Travel at the request of The Royal Family and Prime Minister.
Aged 60 Peter is married with 3 grown up children, and enjoys skiing, swimming, reading, travel and the theatre.
He was awarded the CBE in 2000 for services to industry and knighted in 2004 for his work on public procurement.
Peter is an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the Association for Project Management and also has an Honorary Fellowship from Cardiff University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply and the Royal Aeronautical Society; a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute; and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. He has an Honorary Doctorate in Technology from Kingston University