Gerry Brown (Economics/Economic History 1966)

Chairman, NovaQuest Capital Management LLC and NFT Distribution Holdings

ANG Role: Campaign

Having had an extensive career as chairman and independent director of 11 very different businesses, I currently hold the position of Chairman for NovaQuest Capital Management LLC, a private equity firm focused on investments in the global biopharmaceutical sector, and NFT Distribution Holdings, market leader in chilled distribution backed by Phoenix Equity. I am also the Senior Independent Director of Keller plc, a global construction services company.

My previous board-level appointments include Independent Director of Quintiles, a global pharmaceutical outsourcing company, and Chairman of Biocompatibles plc, a medical device company. I was also the Senior Independent Director at Forth Ports plc and Chairman of Upol ltd, a manufacturing and distribution business in the automotive sector. I was also a Director of Vantec Corporation, one of the first MBO's in Japan. Other positions include Directorships of CH Jones, a fuel management company; Michael Gerson Ltd, an office removal business; and Datrontech plc, an international distributor of computer products.

My executive career was focused on global logistics. I worked for many years for NFC (latterly Exel Logistics and now DHL), ending up as Operations Director. I was also a Director of the Transport Development Group before joining Tibbett and Britten as Managing Director, European Operations. I am a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Logistics.

I first became involved with the University in 2009 when my wife and I decided to support the University of Exeter Business School and the Ayudar One Planet MBA scholarship. On a personal note, I keep in touch with a close group of seven Exeter classmates who meet up regularly. In 2012 I was invited to chair the newly-formed Campaign Planning Board and, subsequently, to sit on the Alumni Network Group as the link between the ANG and the Campaign Planning Board.