A British entrepreneur who founded the international retail chain, Wilkinson, and expanded it into a successful business empire. He's credited with revolutionizing the UK's high street retail landscape.
Roy Gardner is a British businessman infamous for his roles as director of English football clubs Manchester United and Plymouth Argyle, as well as his involvement in the sale of Manchester United to American businessman Malcolm Glazer.
His tenure as chairman of Plymouth Argyle was marked by financial mismanagement, leading to the club's administration with debts of over £17 million.
Born on August 20, 1945, in Brentford, Middlesex, Gardner was the eldest son of a carpenter, Roy Thomas Gardner, and his wife Iris Joan (née Paine). He grew up in humble surroundings in Middlesex and Surrey.
From a young age, Gardner was passionate about football, supporting Manchester United since he was eight years old. He attended Strodes School, a grammar school in Surrey, where he worked at Walls during the holidays.
Gardner's career began in 1963 when he joined the British Aircraft Corporation through their accounting apprentice scheme. He worked in the Commercial Aircraft Division until 1975, when he joined the Marconi Company Ltd.
During his time at Marconi, Gardner held various roles, including Group Finance Director of the Marconi Space and Defence part of the company from 1979 to 1985. He then became Finance Director of Standard Telephones and Cables (STC) plc from January 1986.
In 1991, Nortel took over STC, and Gardner became the chief operating officer of Northern Telecom Europe. He later became the managing director of GEC Marconi Ltd, succeeding Arnold Weinstock from 1992 to 1994.
In November 1994, Gardner joined British Gas as executive director, finance, and was involved in splitting the company into two parts. He became the chief executive of Centrica plc from February 1997, a position he held until October 2005.
During his tenure, Centrica acquired the AA, but his leadership was also marred by controversy. He was eventually replaced by Sam Laidlaw in 2005.
Gardner's impact on the business world is complex, marked by both successes and failures. While he played a key role in shaping the energy industry through his work at Centrica, his involvement in the sale of Manchester United and his mismanagement of Plymouth Argyle have left a lasting stain on his reputation.
Despite this, Gardner's career serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals can face setbacks and controversy. His story serves as a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs and business leaders, highlighting the importance of responsible leadership and financial management.
"I'm a deal-maker, not a manager."
This quote, often attributed to Gardner, highlights his focus on making deals and driving business growth, rather than managing the day-to-day operations of a company.
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