Allan Leighton

British businessman Allan Leighton has sat at the helm of some of the country’s largest organisations. Forging a reputable career spanning the retail and public service industries, Allan is a remarkable business and retail speaker available for online events. Having commanded many high-profile teams, Allan is able to command virtual audiences with ease.

Best known for his various roles across the retail industry, Allan Leighton has made his mark as the former CEO of Asda, CEO of Pandora and the Non-Executive Chairman of the Royal Mail. Building detailed knowledge of the inner working of retail giants, Allan is an industry-leading authority understanding the workings of corporate turnaround, mergers and strategic planning. He has also been known as the Chairman of Lastminute.com, a non-executive director at BSkyB and Chairman of Simba Sleep.

Allan laid the foundations of his illustrious career at the Oxford Polytechnic ( Oxford Brookes University). After graduation he went on to work for Lloyds Bank, serving as a cashier in the 1970s. His first major management position came along when he joined Mars UK, working his way up to become the managing director of Mars Ireland and Portugal.

Currently, Allan is advising in a number of roles. He is the Chairman of The Co-operative Group, advising retail magnate Galen Weston and Chairman of Pace Plc. In recognition of his achievements made throughout his career, Allan has been the recipient of an honorary degree from Cranfield University and an honorary fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire.

A popular retail speaker with decades of experience, Allan is highly sought to perform as an online speaker at virtual events. Using his in-depth knowledge of international business, Allan resonates with audiences in insightful webinars or online keynotes. Straightforward and easy to understand, Allan delivers an effective online delivery.