As CIO for the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, (LOCOG) Gerry Pennell delivered the most technologically connected Games ever and what became the most popular sports website in the world – a gold medal standard achievement. Gerry joined LOCOG in November 2008 with responsibility to lead... Read more
As CIO for the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, (LOCOG) Gerry Pennell delivered the most technologically connected Games ever and what became the most popular sports website in the world – a gold medal standard achievement.
Gerry joined LOCOG in November 2008 with responsibility to lead the team of staff and partners delivering all the IT, telecommunications and other technologies required to stage the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games in London which, amongst many other innovations, saw a step-change in the level of engagement with the digital consumer via Smartphones and other devices. Gerry’s team deployed more than 110,000 pieces of equipment in the lead up to the Games. During the Olympics and Paralympics, his team of 190 people, based at the Technology Operations Centre monitored the IT systems including London2012.com, which became the most popular sports website in the world with 338.3 billion page views.
On the busiest day of the Games there were 13.1 million web users – One of the highest peaks in website use and mobile use in particular was the Andy Murray Tennis Final. During the Games the Olympic Network, which connected 94 locations, carried 961TB of information. The Technology team supported critical applications such as the Commentator Information System and results service, as well as monitoring 900 servers, 1000 network and security devices and 9500 PCs. The It team peaked at 6000 members during the games
For the first time in any Games results were provided in real time for every Olympic sport both via the web and mobile devices. LOCOG set up the Joint Olympic Operators Group (JOOG) to work with the major network suppliers to ensure sufficient capacity during the Games. LOGOC worked with BT, who put in the worlds largest high-density Wi-FI system to ensure services could be accessed from mobile devices during the Games. LOGOC controlled and monitored Cyber – Security during the Games and successfully mitigated the at least one major incident.
Facing the challenges of new software, the logistics of co-coordinating people, technology and suppliers and the tight time frames involved was successfully implemented due to months of preparation and testing before the event.
Gerry’s role as Director of Technology for the 17th Commonwealth Games held in Manchester in 2002 undoubtedly gave him the experience necessary to deliver at such an exacting standard, although the scale of the Olympics is much larger. His last Olympic task will be a formal handover to the Rio organizing team in Rio 2016.
Gerry Pennell attended the University of Manchester to study Mathematics. This has led to a long and distinguished career in IT, which started in the development of mathematical models and real-time software for applications in anti-submarine warfare, gun and rocket artillery. He has worked with both Barclays Bank and Price Waterhouse Coopers as a Management Consultant with a track record in trouble shooting and delivering large time-critical programmes and projects.
He then took the role as Director of Technology for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. This role required the establishment of the technology department, the selection of key suppliers and sponsors and direction of the IT and telecommunications for the Games.
After the Commonwealth Games and prior to joining LOCOG Gerry was CIO for the Cooperative Financial Services and the Cooperative Group – a £9.5bn turnover group of businesses covering banking, insurance and retail.
Gerry is currently a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Fellow of the British Computer Society. He was appointed OBE in the 2013 New Years Honours list.
Gerry has recently been appointed the Director of IT at The University of Manchester. In this role, Gerry will be responsible for leading the University’s IT function to ensure it supports all aspects of the University’s activities and enables the delivery of its ambitious Manchester 2020 Vision.
Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.
You can book Gerry Pennell through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Gerry's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Gerry Pennell's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Gerry tailored to your event.
Gerry Pennell speaks on Facilitators & Moderators, Future & Technology. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Gerry to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Gerry Pennell for events worldwide, subject to Gerry's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Gerry Pennell is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Gerry can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Gerry Pennell on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Gerry can offer.
Gerry Pennell delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Gerry Pennell's areas of expertise include Facilitators & Moderators, Future & Technology. To get a clear sense of Gerry's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Gerry Pennell can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Facilitators & Moderators, Future & Technology is relevant. Details of Gerry's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Gerry Pennell is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Gerry Pennell, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Gerry's current availability for your dates.