# Rupert Gavin

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{{short description|British businessman and theatre impresario}}
{{Promotional|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = [Sir](/source/Sir)
| name             = Rupert Gavin
| image            = File:Rupert Gavin.png
| alt              =
| caption          = Portrait of Rupert Gavin (2020)
| birth_name       = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|df=y|1954|10|01}}
| birth_place      = [St Mary Abbots Hospital](/source/St_Mary_Abbots_Hospital), London
| death_date       = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=y|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) -->
| death_place      = 
| other_names      = 
| occupation       = Entrepreneur, businessman and [impresario](/source/impresario)
| years_active     = 
| known_for        = Management of creative companies; arts production
| notable_works    =  
}}

'''Sir Rupert Alexander Gavin''' (born 1 October 1954) is a British businessman and theatre impresario.

Formerly CEO of [BBC Worldwide](/source/BBC_Worldwide) and [Odeon Cinemas](/source/Odeon_Cinemas) as a producer/financier, he has produced/coproduced a series of plays and musicals through his company, Incidental Colman.

Gavin serves as [Chairman](/source/Chairman) of [Historic Royal Palaces](/source/Historic_Royal_Palaces) and [HMG](/source/Her_Majesty's_Government_(term)) [Honours Committee for Arts and Media](/source/Honours_Committee).

== Current roles ==
In 2015 Gavin was appointed chairman of [Historic Royal Palaces](/source/Historic_Royal_Palaces), the charity responsible for the management and conservation of the [Tower of London](/source/Tower_of_London), [Kensington Palace](/source/Kensington_Palace), [Hampton Court Palace](/source/Hampton_Court_Palace), [Banqueting House](/source/Banqueting_House), [Kew Palace](/source/Kew_Palace), and [Hillsborough Castle](/source/Hillsborough_Castle).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hrp.org.uk/news-and-media/press-resources/historic-royal-palaces-press-releases-and-archives/rupert-gavin-appointed-chairman-of-historic-royal-palaces/|title=Rupert Gavin appointed Chairman of Historic Royal Palaces|last=Palaces|first=Historic Royal|website=hrp.org.uk|access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> His tenure was extended for a second term in May 2018.

He is executive chairman of the theatre production company Incidental Colman, which has produced/co-produced in the [West End](/source/West_End_theatre) and on [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) and won seventeen [Olivier Award](/source/Olivier_Award)s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Companies House - DNEG |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/BrtWTLnBhv-ZNtFFkYmeIz9ftS8/appointments |website=Companies House |publisher=Her Majesty's Government |accessdate=7 January 2020}}</ref>

He is also Chairman of the HMG [Honours Committee](/source/Honours_Committee) for Media and the Arts and commenced his second term as of January 2019. He is a Senior Assistant of the Court of the [Worshipful Company of Grocers](/source/Worshipful_Company_of_Grocers), having served as Master for 2017/18. He is serving as the Chairman of the Living Room Cinema, the new start-up cinema chain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trustees' biographies |url=https://www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/trustees-and-directors/trustees-biographies/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=Historic Royal Palaces |language=en-GB}}</ref> Gavin is a director of the West End industry body, SOLT.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://solt.co.uk/who-we-are/our-board/|title=Board|publisher=[Society of London Theatre](/source/Society_of_London_Theatre)|access-date=May 9, 2022}}</ref>

Gavin was [knighted](/source/Knight_Bachelor) in the [2023 Birthday Honours](/source/2023_Birthday_Honours) for services to drama, the arts, heritage and the economy.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=64082|supp=y|page=B2|date=17 June 2023}}</ref>

==Early career==
Gavin was educated at [Magdalene College](/source/Magdalene_College%2C_Cambridge) at [Cambridge University](/source/University_of_Cambridge), where he had an exhibition in economics. After graduation, and a stint as a film script writer, he took a copywriting role at Sharps advertising agency where he would eventually become an equity partner before it was sold to [Saatchi & Saatchi](/source/Saatchi_%26_Saatchi).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/jul/22/mondaymediasection.bbc1|title=The rise of Rupert Gavin|last=Dugdale|first=John|date=22 July 2002|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> While working at Sharps he established close links with [Dixons Stores Group](/source/Dixons_Stores_Group),<ref name="Interactive">{{Cite web|url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/432101/MT-Interview-Rupert-Gavin/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH|title=The MT Interview: Rupert Gavin – Management Today|last=Interactive|first=Haymarket Business|website=managementtoday.co.uk|access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> and would eventually become deputy managing director of the electronics retailer.<ref name="Interactive"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/64916/profile-leading-man---rupert-gavin-chief-executive-bbc-worldwide|title=PROFILE: Leading man – RUPERT GAVIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE BBC WORLDWIDE|website=marketingmagazine.co.uk|access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> In 1994, he joined [British Telecom](/source/British_Telecom) to work on its internet and multimedia strategy; he became managing director of the firm's consumer division. In 1998, he became chief executive of [BBC Worldwide](/source/BBC_Worldwide). He was CEO of [Odeon Cinemas](/source/Odeon_Cinemas) and [UCI Cinemas](/source/UCI_Cinemas) Group from 2006 to 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/mr-west-end-rupert-gavin-is-banking-on-a-premium-bond-for-odeon-uci-8227853.html|title=Mr West End Rupert Gavin is banking on a premium Bond for Odeon & UCI|website=London Evening Standard|date=26 October 2012 |access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/news-in-brief-watchdog-acts-after-rbs-report-odeon-uci-boss-is-stepping-down-william-hill-wins-with-9067227.html|title=News in brief: Watchdog acts after RBS report, Odeon & UCI boss is|website=London Evening Standard|date=17 January 2014 |access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref>

Gavin has also served as Board member and shareholder of [Ambassador Theatre Group](/source/Ambassador_Theatre_Group), Chairman of [DNeg](/source/DNEG) plc, Chairman of [Contender Entertainment Group](/source/Contender_Entertainment_Group),<ref>{{cite web|title=Gavin moves in with Peppa Pig|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/nov/22/1|website=The Guardian|date=22 November 2004 |publisher=Scott Trust|accessdate=14 March 2016}}</ref> Chairman of Screenstage, NED and audit Chair of [Wyevale Garden Centres](/source/Wyevale_Garden_Centres), NED of Countrywide plc and [Virgin Mobile](/source/Virgin_Mobile_(UK)) plc, Governor of the [National Film and Television School](/source/National_Film_and_Television_School) and Treasurer of the [Contemporary Art Society](/source/Contemporary_Art_Society).<ref name="Debretts">{{cite web |title=Rupert Gavin, Esq |url=http://www.debretts.com/people-of-today/profile/32429/Rupert-GAVIN |url-status=dead |website=Debrett's People of Today |publisher=Debrett's |accessdate=14 March 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325132506/http://www.debretts.com/people-of-today/profile/32429/Rupert-GAVIN |archivedate=25 March 2016}}</ref>

==Recent theatre productions, co-productions and financings==
* [Mojo](/source/Mojo_(play))
* [The Ferryman](/source/The_Ferryman_(play))
* [The Book of Mormon](/source/The_Book_of_Mormon_(musical))
* [Jersey Boys](/source/Jersey_Boys)
* [West Side Story](/source/West_Side_Story) (50th-anniversary revival)
* Brainiac
* [Shockheaded Peter](/source/Shockheaded_Peter)
* [Othello](/source/Othello) with [Lenny Henry](/source/Lenny_Henry)
* [A View from the Bridge](/source/A_View_from_the_Bridge) with [Ken Stott](/source/Ken_Stott)
* [Ghosts](/source/Ghosts_(play)) with [Lesley Manville](/source/Lesley_Manville)
* [Long Days Journey into Night](/source/Long_Day's_Journey_into_Night) with [David Suchet](/source/David_Suchet)
* [All My Sons](/source/All_My_Sons) with David Suchet
* [Death of a Salesman](/source/Death_of_a_Salesman) with [Philip Seymour Hoffman](/source/Philip_Seymour_Hoffman) and [Andrew Garfield](/source/Andrew_Garfield)
* [South Pacific](/source/South_Pacific_(musical))
* [Legally Blonde](/source/Legally_Blonde_(musical))
* [The Sunshine Boys](/source/The_Sunshine_Boys) with [Danny DeVito](/source/Danny_DeVito)
* [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem_(play)) with [Mark Rylance](/source/Mark_Rylance)
* [Twelfth Night](/source/Twelfth_Night) and [Richard III](/source/Richard_III_(play)) with Mark Rylance
* Farinelli and the King with Mark Rylance
* [Private Lives](/source/Private_Lives) with [Kim Cattrall](/source/Kim_Cattrall)
* [Clybourne Park](/source/Clybourne_Park)
* [The Birthday Party](/source/The_Birthday_Party_(play)) with [Toby Jones](/source/Toby_Jones), [Zoë Wanamaker](/source/Zo%C3%AB_Wanamaker) and [Stephen Mangan](/source/Stephen_Mangan)
* Old Times with [Kristin Scott Thomas](/source/Kristin_Scott_Thomas)
* [Betrayal](/source/Betrayal_(play)) with Kristin Scott Thomas
* [Electra](/source/Electra_(Sophocles_play)) with Kristin Scott Thomas
* [Three Sisters](/source/Three_Sisters_(play)) 
* [King Charles III](/source/King_Charles_III_(play)) with [Tim Pigott-Smith](/source/Tim_Pigott-Smith)
* [1984](/source/Nineteen_Eighty-Four)
* [King Lear](/source/King_Lear) with [Ian McKellen](/source/Ian_McKellen)
* [Hamlet](/source/Hamlet) with [Benedict Cumberbatch](/source/Benedict_Cumberbatch)
* [Hamlet](/source/Hamlet) with [Andrew Scott](/source/Andrew_Scott_(actor))
* [Gypsy](/source/Gypsy_(musical)) with [Imelda Staunton](/source/Imelda_Staunton)
* [Sunny Afternoon](/source/Sunny_Afternoon_(musical))
* The River with [Hugh Jackman](/source/Hugh_Jackman)
* [Dreamgirls](/source/Dreamgirls)
* The Jungle
* [Consent](/source/Consent_(play))
* [Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?](/source/Who's_Afraid_of_Virginia_Woolf%3F) with [Imelda Staunton](/source/Imelda_Staunton)
* [Tina Turner – The Musical](/source/Tina_(musical))
* [The Inheritance](/source/The_Inheritance_(play))
* [All About Eve](/source/All_About_Eve) with [Gillian Anderson](/source/Gillian_Anderson) and [Lily James](/source/Lily_James)
* [The King and I](/source/The_King_and_I)
* [Caroline, or Change](/source/Caroline%2C_or_Change) with [Sharon D. Clarke](/source/Sharon_D._Clarke)
* [Uncle Vanya](/source/Uncle_Vanya) with [Toby Jones](/source/Toby_Jones)
* [Leopoldstadt](/source/Leopoldstadt) by Sir [Tom Stoppard](/source/Tom_Stoppard)
* Betrayal with [Tom Hiddleston](/source/Tom_Hiddleston)
* [Cyrano de Bergerac](/source/Cyrano_de_Bergerac_(play)) with [James McAvoy](/source/James_McAvoy)
* All of the dramatic works of [Arthur Smith](/source/Arthur_Smith_(comedian)) since 1980
* Pretty Woman (London)
* [The Rocky Horror Show](/source/The_Rocky_Horror_Show)
* Anything Goes
* Cabaret, with [Eddie Redmayne](/source/Eddie_Redmayne) and [Jessie Buckley](/source/Jessie_Buckley)
* Constellations

In 2012 the ''Evening Standard'' newspaper dubbed Gavin "Mr West End" about London's [Theatreland](/source/West_End_theatre). Productions/co-productions by Incidental Colman have won seventeen Olivier awards for either Best New Play, Best Play Revival, Best New Musical, Best Musical Revival or Best Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rupert Gavin for Incidental Colman|url=https://issuu.com/socalmedia/docs/sunshine-boys-october-2013/38|website=Performances|date=30 September 2013 |accessdate=14 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dan Colman – Theatre & Arena show Producer|url=http://www.dancolmanlimited.com/index.php/about-us|website=DanColmanLimited|accessdate=14 March 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gavin married Ellen Miller in 1991; the couple has two daughters, Alexandra and Isabella, and live in [London](/source/London). ''Debrett's'' lists his leisure activities as "...theatre producer, lyricist and gardener". He is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ellen Miller to Marry Rupert Gavin in September|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/07/style/ellen-miller-to-marry-rupert-gavin-in-september.html|work=The New York Times|date=7 July 1991 |accessdate=14 March 2016}}</ref>

==Charitable activities==
Gavin is Chairman of the charity [Historic Royal Palaces](/source/Historic_Royal_Palaces).

He has been a lifelong contributor to the Grocers' Charity, which supports a range of small charities. He currently sits on the Education and Charities Committee of the [Grocers' Company](/source/Grocers'_Company). He is a Patron of the [Hay Literary Festival](/source/Hay_Literary_Festival), the [London Library](/source/London_Library), and the Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival. He sits on the Development Council of the [Almeida Theatre](/source/Almeida_Theatre).

===Ancestry===
He is of direct descent from James Gavin (b 1658), the Kirk Beadle of [Lunan, Angus](/source/Lunan%2C_Angus), and the family motto is ''By industry we prosper''.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Dewar |first=Peter Beauclerk |url=https://www.amazon.com/together-non-titled-contemporary-establishment-Scotland/dp/B004CLA5PI |title=Burke's Landed Gentry of Great Britain 19th edition Volume 1: The Kingdom in Scotland |publisher=Burke's Peerage & Gentry (UK) Ltd |year=2001 |isbn=978-0971196605 |location=United Kingdom |page=488 |language=English |format=Hardback}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.hrp.org.uk/ Historic Royal Palaces]
* [http://www.dancolmanlimited.com/index.php/about-us Incidental Colman]
* [https://www.terrafirma.com/rupert-gavin.html Terra Firma biography]

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gavin, Rupert}}
Category:1954 births
Category:Living people
Category:People educated at Eton College
Category:Alumni of Magdalene College, Cambridge
Category:British advertising executives
Category:BBC people
Category:English theatre managers and producers
Category:British chief executives
Category:BT Group people
Category:Knights Bachelor

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rupert Gavin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Gavin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Gavin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.