John Pearson

Former CEO and Co'Founder of Virgin Radio, John has worked closely with Richard Branson and the Virgin Brand throughout some of Virgin's most spectacular growth years. John is in a unique position to give a personal inside view of the values and behaviours that make Virgin one of the most successful and respected brands in the world.

John has spent the last 30 years in the media business working across Press, magazines and TV but most of it in broadcast Radio including seven years at London's Capital Radio.  Virgin Radio is now one of the top worldwide internet radio brands

John stepped down in 1995 after 10 years as Chief Executive directing Virgin Radio's most formative, turbulent and successful years. After launching the national station and winning a prestigious London FM licence, John was part of the management buyout that created The Ginger Media Group. Alongside the direction of the radio station, John became a director of Ginger online and Ginger television, including the award winning TFI Friday.

Having been part of the management buyout the Radio station for £80 million in 1997, John was instrumental in the deal that sold Ginger to SMG for £230 million in 2000. Richard Branson had backed the management by keeping 20% of the original business and was delighted with the outcome.

John is Chairman of Shazam Entertainment, a digital music company and a shareholder/director of World Architecture News. He has now also re joined Virgin and is consulting on Virgin's Global Radio Network with stations as far apart as Paris and Bangkok. An entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumnus, John has been asked to submit and present to the Government joint and select committees for both the broadcasting act and the BBC charter renewal.

As a speaker, John focuses on Virgin Values:
How does Virgin keep the same culture across so many different market sectors
How do you operate in 30 countries with 15,000 staff and still keep the same behaviours
How much of it is planned and how much is down to luck and circumstance
Importantly can it be copied or transported to your business

John believes that these values enable Virgin to expand across businesses and boundaries by empowering staff with a cultural blueprint to act in a Virgin way - thus reinforcing the behaviours and ultimately attracting staff who want to associate with the culture. These values define the invisible code of best Virgin practice and form the unique strand of Virgin DNA. By understanding the Virgin Values and how they work, not only are they transportable - you can identify the core values already working within your business and start to use them for competitive advantage.

John is a warm, passionate and engaging speaker who shares his insights gained through a lifetime of motivating and inspiring people in one of the country's most recognised companies.