2010 Speakers

Simon Fox

Simon Fox

CEO HMV
Simon was appointed to the HMV Board on 4 September 2006 as CEO. Previously he was COO of Kesa Electricals plc, with responsibility for Comet in the UK, Kesa's subsidiaries in Continental Europe and e-commerce developments, covering approximately 350 stores and over £2bn of sales. As Managing Director, he led Comet through its demerger from Kingfisher, establishing the chain's leadership of the online electricals market and the transition of the brand from a price-led to a service-based proposition.
Simon joined Kingfisher in 1998, holding a variety of senior roles, including CEO Electricals. Prior to Kingfisher, he was founder of Office World, the UK's first out-of-town office supplies retailer. He began his career as a graduate trainee at Security Pacific Bank, followed by Boston Consulting Group and Sandhurst Marketing plc.
Since joining HMV Group - which trades in the UK & Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore, and also operates the Waterstone's books chain in the UK and Ireland, Simon has led a transformation of the business as it responds to structural changes in the way that consumers discover music, film and games in a world increasingly shaped by the Internet and digital technology.  HMV is rapidly moving away from being a one-dimensional high street retailer to becoming a multi-channel entertainment hub - giving its customers access to content through its store, online and digital platforms as well as through the 'live' experience.
The past eighteen months have seen HMV acquire the MAMA Group, thus gaining ownership of numerous live music venues, including London's iconic hmv Hammersmith Apollo, as well as music festivals such as Lovebox and Global Gathering and also SuperVision artist management - home to such artists as Franz Ferdinand and the Kaiser Chiefs.  HMV has also partnered with Independent film cinema and distributor Curzon Artificial Eye to trial a ground-breaking new cinema concept - the hmvcurzon - above its store in Wimbledon; developed a ticketing offer for its customers - both instore and online; acquired a 50% stake in leading digital services provider 7digital; extended its gamerbase 'pay to play' PC gaming to key stores; and struck a strategic relationship with Orange, who are taking up concession space in HMV stores.