Sir Robin Gill KCVO

Sir Robin came up to Brasenose in 1945, originally reading Law, later switching to PPE. He was a keen cricketer and rugby player, and received a Blue for rugby.

He had a long and varied career, which included periods at Unilever and British International Paper in the 1950s, before he founded Border Television in 1960, and was its first Managing Director until 1964. He was Managing Director of Associated Television, and a Director of Stoll Moss Theatres, ITC, and Pye Records. From 1968 to 1970, he was the Chairman of Independent Television News (ITN). He was Chairman of Ansvar Insurance from 1975 to 1998, and from 1990-1992, he served on the board of Hewlett Packard.

In 1990, he set up a charitable organisation, the Royal Anniversary Trust, to organise the official programme of celebration of the 40th Anniversary of The Queen’s Accession in 1992, and to benefit education. He was also Chairman of the organisation of the Queen’s 40th Anniversary Programme in 1992, for which he received an RVO. On his retirement in 2010, this was upgraded to a KCVO.

Many in the Brasenose community will remember Sir Robin for his time as President of the Brasenose Society from 1995-1996. He also served on the College’s Fund Raising Advisory Committee from 2012.

Brasenose offers sincere condolences to Sir Robin’s widow, Lady Denise Gill, and his family.