Robinson, Gerry (1948– )

Irish executive. Appointed managing director of Grand Metropolitan's contract catering division in 1984, he led the £160 million management buyout of its catering business in 1987, and its flotation in 1988 (when it was renamed Compass). He was headhunted by Granada and appointed CEO in 1991, a position he held until 1995. Robinson consolidated Granada's position as a major player in the independent TV market, acquiring a number of franchises including the hostile takeover of LWT (London Weekend Television) in 1994, to gain a London foothold, and the United News & Media franchises in 2000. His tactics forced United and Carlton to abandon proposed merger plans. He was also responsible for the Forte takeover bid completed in 1996, which cost English executive Rocco Forte his family hotel business. In 1996, he stepped down as CEO and became chairman until 2001. In 2005, as chairman of the drinks group Allied Domecq, he helped secure the sale of the company to its French rival Pernod Ricard, after which he set up Raphoe Management, a company specializing in acquiring and turning around struggling businesses. He has also presented two television series on management, entitled I'll Show Them Who's Boss and Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS?. He was knighted in 2004.

Robinson was responsible for many job losses at Granada, including that of former chairman, English executive David Plowright. As an accountant, his entry into the television business was not well received by the media, particularly following his hostile takeover of LWT. Having been rejected as a buyer for contract caterer Gardner Merchant in 1993, Robinson launched the high-profile and bitterly contested takeover (for £3.3 billion) of the entire Forte group in 1995. Robinson increased his bid by £500 million to win the support of Forte's controlling shareholder (held by Mercury Asset Management, run by English fund manager, Carol Galley) and strengthen his group's hotel interests.

In 2000 Granada thwarted the proposed merger of television rivals United News & Media (run by English executive Clive Hollick) and Carlton, by raising competition issues on advertising in proposing its own merger with either of the two companies. Granada then bought United's three ITV franchises (Meridian, Anglia, and HTV) for £1.75 billion (having bought Yorkshire Tyne Tees TV in 1997). Robinson's final merger as CEO saw Granada merge its hotel and catering interests with the Compass group to form Granada Compass and then spin off its media business as Granada Media.

Robinson was born in County Donegal, the son of a carpenter. After the family moved to the UK, he was educated at St Mary's College, Castlehead. He began his career with Lesney Products in 1965, and qualified as an accountant, rising to chief management accountant. He joined Lex Industrial Distribution and Hire in 1974, becoming financial director before taking up the same position at Grand Metropolitan's Coca-Cola business in 1980, being appointed sales and marketing director the next year.

Robinson was the Labour-appointed chairman of the Arts Council of England 1998–2004, and he remains a consultant to the Granada companies. His interests are golf, music, opera, and painting.