Charles Gregson has extensive experience in senior executive roles and board positions in wholesale and retail financial services and media.
A significant part of Charles’ executive career, 1974-2014, was at UBM plc where, in 1998, he led the demerger of UBM’s wholesale broking business, Garban plc, before it merged with Exco Intercapital. He led as Executive Chairman until 2002, before taking on the role of Non-Executive Chairman. He has acted as a representative shareholder in many media companies, including ITN, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Charles was Chief Executive of the UBM PR Newswire news distribution business, where he led as Chairman & CEO for almost a decade, and was a Director of UBM, formerly MAI plc, from 1996 until 2007. During his distinguished career, he has also held senior non-executive positions at Provident Financial plc, Wagon Finance and International Personal Finance.
Charles worked in the USA for a total of 14 years and travelled extensively overseas, building the international businesses of Garban and PR Newswire.
He is a Trustee and Director of the...Charles Gregson has extensive experience in senior executive roles and board positions in wholesale and retail financial services and media.
A significant part of Charles’ executive career, 1974-2014, was at UBM plc where, in 1998, he led the demerger of UBM’s wholesale broking business, Garban plc, before it merged with Exco Intercapital. He led as Executive Chairman until 2002, before taking on the role of Non-Executive Chairman. He has acted as a representative shareholder in many media companies, including ITN, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Charles was Chief Executive of the UBM PR Newswire news distribution business, where he led as Chairman & CEO for almost a decade, and was a Director of UBM, formerly MAI plc, from 1996 until 2007. During his distinguished career, he has also held senior non-executive positions at Provident Financial plc, Wagon Finance and International Personal Finance.
Charles worked in the USA for a total of 14 years and travelled extensively overseas, building the international businesses of Garban and PR Newswire.
He is a Trustee and Director of the United Business Media Pension Fund. Charles has a keen interest in education and is a Member of the University of Chichester Academy Trust and of Academies Enterprise Trust. He was Chairman & Director of Art UK since its inception in 2002 until 2022, and is now Chairman of its US branch.
Previously, Charles was Senior Independent Director of Caledonia Investments plc, Chairman of CPP Group plc, St James’s Place Wealth Management, and Non-Standard Finance PLC. He also served as NED of International Personal Finance and Provident Financial plc, where he was Deputy Chairman.
Non-Standard Finance is a leading provider of unsecured credit to UK customers in three categories, namely branch-based lending, home credit and guarantor loans.
ICAP, now known as NEX Group Limited, operates as a global holding company. The firm provides electronics execution, investment brokerage, risk mitigation, information and electronic trading platforms services through its subsidiaries.
Cision PR Newswire is a distributor of press releases that allows companies to send press releases to news organisations electronically.
United Business Media
Director
1985
-
2003
London, UK
UBM merged with Informa in 2018 and created a leading B2B information services group, becoming the largest B2B events and exhibitions organiser worldwide.
Garban Intercapital plc
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
1978
-
2001
The company changed its name from Garban-Intercapital plc to ICAP plc in 2001.
MAI plc became United Business Media through its merger with United Newspapers. UBM was a FTSE 250 company until it was acquired by Informa in June 2018.
ED&F Man Capital Markets is a global financial services and financial brokerage business. It is the division of ED&F Man Group that provides access to global capital markets.
The University of Chichester (Multi) Academy Trust is committed to inspiring young people, raise their aspirations and enrich their lives through excellent education. The Trust uses its years of combined expertise and access to the extensive resources of the University to work closely with local schools to provide outstanding education.
United Business Media Pension Fund
Director & Trustee
2009
-
Present
London, UK
The UBM Pension Fund is operated by Informa, now managing four defined benefit pension schemes in the UK and two defined benefit schemes in the US. These schemes are closed to new members and to future accrual.
Established under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1999, the Arabian Racing Organisation is the exclusive authority for Arabian Racing in the United Kingdom. Working with the permission and support of the British Horseracing Authority, the Arabian Racing Organisation holds an average of 40 races per season.
The Richmond West Schools Trust
Chairman
Jul 2019
-
2022
London, UK
The Richmond West Schools Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust formed of two schools, Hampton High and Twickenham School. Working closely with other local schools, the Trust constantly strives to give young people the best quality education they deserve.
Press Association Pension Fund
Chairman & Trustee
2014
-
2021
London, UK
The Press Association (PA) is the national news agency for the UK and Ireland and produces content for online and mobile consumption as well as broadcast and print.
Caledonia Investments is a self-managed investment trust managing an international multi-asset portfolio of around £2 billion and is listed on the London Stock Exchange as an FTSE-250 company.
St James's Place Wealth Management is a FTSE-100 wealth management business providing a personalised service covering financial, investment and tax planning. The company endeavours to put long-term relationships and trusted advice at the centre of everything they do.
CPP Group is a provider of bespoke products and solutions globally. The company works with its partners to deliver outstanding customer experiences and drives ancillary revenues for its customers.
International Personal Finance provides simple personalised financial solutions to meet the evolving needs of 1.7 million customers across 11 global markets.
Provident Financial
Non-Executive Director & Deputy Chairman
1995
-
2007
Bradford, UK
Provident Financial plc is a British sub-prime lender based in Bradford that specialises in offering credit cards, home collected credit, online loans and consumer car finance.
ART UK is a charity providing access to every public art collection in the UK online. The platform collaborates with over 3,300 British institutions, making art available to everyone. Charles served as Chairman of ART UK until November 2022 and is now Chair of ART UK's US branch.
The FCA, Financial Conduct Authority, is a regulatory body of the financial services industry in the United Kingdom. It ensures that firms abide by regulations and codes of conduct.
