• FROM FOOTBALL TO LEDGERS
• A BRAVE LEAP
• MANAGEMENT STYLE: LOW KEY BUT EFFECTIVE
• CONTINUED TO LEAD
• SOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Chief executive officer, Centrica; chairman, Manchester United

Nationality: British.

Born: August 20, 1945, in England.

Education: Strode's College.

Family: Son of Roy Thomas Gardner (carpenter) and Iris Joan (maiden name unknown); married Carol Ann Barker, 1969; children: three.

Career: British Aircraft Corporation, 1963–1975, accountant for Concorde project; Marconi Space & Defence Systems, 1975–1984, finance director; Marconi Company, 1984–1985, chief finance director; STC, 1986–1991, executive director; STC...