Charles Gregson
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Non-Executive Chairman
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Charles Gregson has extensive experience in senior executive roles and board positions in wholesale and retail financial services, and media.
A significant part of Charles’ executive career was at UBM plc where, in 1998, he led the demerger of UBM’s wholesale broking business, Garban plc, before it merged with Exco Intercapital. He led as Executive Chairman until 2002, before taking on the role of Non-Executive Chairman. He has acted as a representative shareholder in many media companies, including ITN, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Charles was Chief Executive of the UBM PR Newswire news distribution business, where he led as Chairman and CEO for almost a decade, and was a Director of UBM, formerly MAI plc, from 1996 until 2007. During his distinguished career, he also held senior non-executive positions at Provident Financial plc, Wagon Finance, and International Personal Finance.
Charles worked in the USA for a total of 14 years and travelled extensively overseas, building the international businesses of Garban and PR Newswire.
He is a Trustee and Director of the United Business Media Pension Fund. Charles has a keen interest in education and is a Member of the University of Chichester Academy Trust and of Academies Enterprise Trust. He was Chairman & Director of Art UK since its inception in 2002 until 2022, and is now Chairman of its US branch.
Previously, Charles was Senior Independent Director of Caledonia Investments plc, Chairman of CPP Group plc, St James’s Place Wealth Management, and Non-Standard Finance PLC. He also served as NED of International Personal Finance and Provident Financial plc, where he was Deputy Chairman.
Charles is FCA-approved and a qualified Solicitor.
The Record
Background
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2014 — 2023
Non-Executive Chairman
Non-Standard Finance Group
Non-Standard Finance is a leading provider of unsecured credit to UK customers in three categories, namely branch-based lending, home credit and guarantor loans.
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1985 — 2003
Various roles
United Business Media
UBM merged with Informa in 2018 and created a leading B2B information services group, becoming the largest B2B events and exhibitions organiser worldwide.
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2003 — 2009
Chief Executive Officer
Cision PR Newswire
Cision PR Newswire is a distributor of press releases that allows companies to send press releases to news organisations electronically.
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2001 — 2018
Chairman
ICAP plc
ICAP, now known as NEX Group Limited, operates as a global holding company. The firm provides electronics execution, investment brokerage, risk mitigation, information and electronic trading platforms services through its subsidiaries.
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1985 — 1996
Director
MAI plc
MAI plc became United Business Media through its merger with United Newspapers. UBM was a FTSE 250 company until it was acquired by Informa in June 2018.
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1978 — 2001
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
Garban Intercapital plc
The company changed its name from Garban-Intercapital plc to ICAP plc in 2001.
Formative Years
Education
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University of Cambridge
MA, History and Law
1965 — 1969
Areas Of Focus