PY Gerbeau was in a wheelchair for 18 months, dealing with a life changing injury that ended his ice-hockey career. Shifting his focus, he became known for leading successful turnaround and transformation projects.
His first major public role came as Vice President of Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris), where he played a critical role in reviving the struggling theme park. Despite facing local opposition and financial difficulties, PY’s focus on customer experience transformed the park’s performance, earning him widespread recognition.
He was the CEO of The London Resort (then called the London Paramount Entertainment Resort), a proposed theme park involving Paramount Pictures. In the initial proposal, the complex was due to have Europe’s largest indoor water park, theatres, live music venues, cinemas, attractions, restaurants, event space, a country park, science and education visitor complex, “the biggest performing arts centre” in Europe, and hotels, as well as a training academy for the entertainment and hospitality sectors.
The project had been in the works since 2012, but sadly was withdrawn in 2022 due to concerns raised by Natural England.
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PY Gerbeau | Millennium Dome
The success with Disneyland Paris led to his appointment by Disney CEO Michael Eisner to take charge of the UK’s Millennium Dome, a project that was haemorrhaging money and support. As CEO, PY turned things around by fostering a positive culture for staff and visitors, attracting over six million guests and securing financial solvency. The venue later became the O2 Arena, one of the world’s leading entertainment destinations.
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PY Gerbeau | X-Leisure
Following the positive turnarounds with Disneyland Paris and the Millennium Dome, PY co-founded and became CEO of X-Leisure, a leisure property group that grew into a £1.2 billion real estate leader. His innovative approach made X-Leisure a pioneer in the sector, leading to its eventual sale to commercial property giant Land Securities. He also took on various challenging leisure and property projects, cementing his reputation as a leader who excels in difficult, high-stakes environments.
In recent years, PY took on the London Resort project, an ambitious attempt to build the UK’s first tier-1 theme park destination. Although the project ultimately collapsed after a major investor pulled out at the last minute, PY’s ability to learn from this failure and adapt his approach is a testament to his growth mindset and resilience.
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PY Gerbeau | Lecturer and Speaker
Outside his business ventures, PY has lectured for over two decades at the London Business School and is a visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship and Corporate Rescue at Imperial College.
He is also in demand as a speaker. Known for his humour, PY shares insights from his vast experience, exploring the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from leading large-scale projects. He draws connections across various industries, particularly in the unpredictable leisure, sport, and tourism sectors, providing valuable lessons for anyone managing a turnaround or navigating complex stakeholder expectations.
Former clients include Royal Mail, Allianz, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Eversheds LLP and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
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To check fees and availability for PY Gerbeau, contact Great Business Speakers on 0044 (0)1753 439289
