David Levin (businessman)

David Levin
Born 1963 (age 51–52)
Nationality British
Alma mater Wadham College, Oxford
Occupation President and CEO, McGraw-Hill Education

David Levin is a British businessman, currently the president and CEO of McGraw-Hill Education.[1][2] Since taking on this role in April 2014, he has continued to drive the company's ongoing transition from a traditional educational publisher to a full-spectrum digital education company, and he has been a vocal proponent of the use of digital and adaptive technology in education.[3] Prior to joining McGraw-Hill Education, Levin served as CEO of UBM plc.[4][5][6]

As a child, Levin lived in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). His father was a political journalist, and in 1965, when Levin was two, the family were given a day to leave the country.[7] In consequence he has expressed his gratitude to the opportunities given him to him in his adopted country, and about the advantages of immigration.[7] He attended St Paul's School in London.[7] Levin has a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University (1983), and an MBA from Stanford University (1984).

Levin succeeded Clive Hollick as the CEO of UBM plc on 5 April 2005. At UBM Levin set out to focus on building the business in emerging markets and live events, such as exhibitions, by buying smaller companies and selling print titles.[8][9] He also encouraged the company to use digital media and mobile technologies. In so doing, he warned repeatedly that media companies must adopt new business models as fast as possible.[10][11] Under his direction, UBM secured its position as one of the world's largest events businesses having expanded into new and emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Indonesia.[9] On 16 September 2013 UBM announced David Levin’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer.[12]

Prior to his time at UBM, Levin served as CEO of Symbian plc beginning in April 2002, when the company built the operating system to power the first generation of smartphones.[7] He also held senior positions at Psion, Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC, Apax Partners, Universal Grinding Wheels of Stafford and Bain & Company.[5][6][7]

Levin is married to Lindsay Levin, the founder and managing partner of Leaders’ Quest, a social enterprise that brings together leaders from all disciplines and sectors to use their influence to create change. David and Lindsay have three sons.[7] He was on the finance committee of the Oxford University Press.[5] His mother, Leah Levin OBE, was a director of the human rights organisation JUSTICE.[13][14] His brother Jeremy Levin was recently named CEO of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries,[15] the largest company in Israel by market cap.

References

  1. ↑ "McGraw-Hill Education names David Levin as CEO". Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  2. ↑ "United Business Media chief David Levin moves to McGraw-Hill". Financial Times. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  3. ↑ "Dawn of education's digital age: CEO". Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  4. ↑ Ashton, James (16 August 2013). "UBM benefit from emerging market spree". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "David Levin: Executive Profile & Biography - BusinessWeek". Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tryhorn, Chris (17 December 2004). "UBM names Hollick successor". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Martinson, Jane (6 October 2006). "The Jane Martinson interview: United Business Media chief David Levin". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  8. ↑ Sabbagh, Dan (29 July 2005). "’Influential reader’ brings a new vision to UBM empire". The Times. London. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Davoudi, Salamander (1 March 2011). "UBM benefit from emerging market spree". Financial Times. London. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
  10. ↑ Brummer, Alex (6 January 2010). "INTERVIEW: The pioneer searching for a digital future". This is Money. London. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
  11. ↑ Rushton, Katherine (26 February 2012). "David Levin: Print journalism? Software has eaten the business". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
  12. ↑ Cookson, Robert (16 September 2013). "Levin to step down as UBM chief". Financial Times. London. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  13. ↑ "Martin Ennals Foundation - The Board". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "International Alert – Our Trustees". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  15. ↑ Griver, Simon (17 May 2012). "Meet Jeremy Levin, the new head of drugs firm Teva". The Jewish Chronicle (London). Retrieved 2012-12-29.

External links