University News Last updated 30 March 2010
The Chief Executive of Sky has been talking to Birmingham business leaders about what makes a company successful.
Jeremy Darroch was invited to give the talk by Chris Prince, the Dean of Birmingham City Business School, part of Birmingham City University. Jeremy who was appointed Chief Executive of Sky in 2007 has been at the forefront of the company's expansion into the broader £20billion marketplace, pioneering initiatives such as HD TV and 3D TV. Earlier this month (March) The Times hailed him as fourth most powerful person in sport due to Sky TV's extensive sports coverage.
In his talk, which was held on Thursday 25 March at the Institute of Engineering and Technology at Austin Court in the city centre, Jeremy explored the meaning of sustainable business and its inextricable link to commercial success. He discussed important factors that need to be considered by businesses if they want to remain successful over the long term and the hard business benefits of making a wider contribution. Members of the audience, which consisted of representatives of the local business community were given the chance to quiz Jeremy about challenges facing not just Sky but all business in the future.
Prior to joining Sky, Jeremy was Group Finance Director of DSG International plc, formerly Dixons Group plc. Prior to DSG, he spent 12 years at Procter & Gamble in a variety of roles in the UK and Europe. Jeremy is a Non-Executive Director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of Marks & Spencer plc. He is also a Board Member of the charity Youth Sport Trust and a Council Member of the Council for Industry and Higher Education.
Chris Prince said: ‘The event was a big success; Jeremy knows how to keep an audience's interest and I think many of us listening to him came away with plenty to think about - perhaps even help us further our own businesses and/or careers.'