Sir Allen Sheppard, born in December 1932 and knighted in 1990, is a London School of Economics graduate in business administration as well as a qualified accountant and company secretary. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the International Management Centre in 1989 and an Honorary Fellowship of the City and Guilds of London Institute in 1993.

He worked for 18 years in the motor industry in Britain and Germany (Ford, Rootes and British Leyland) initially in finance but later sales and marketing and then in line management.

He joined Grand Metropolitan as a Board Member in 1975 becoming Group Chief Executive in 1986 and also Chairman in 1987.

He was appointed Chairman of the Prince’s Youth Business Trust in 1990. He is also Deputy Chairman of Business in the Community, Deputy Chairman of the International Business Leaders Forum, a Governor and Member of the Standing and Foundation Committees of the London School of Economics, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the British-American Chamber of Commerce, and a Member of the CIN Advisory Panel.

Non-executive Directorships have included UBM PLC (1981-83 and Chairman 1983-85); Mallinson-Denny Group Ltd (Chairman 1985-87) British Railways Board (1985-90). Sir Allen has been a non-executive Deputy Chairman. In the area of venture capital he is non-executive Deputy Chairman of Pavilion Services Group Limited.

From 1989 to 1992 he was a member of National Training Task Force and during that period served as Chairman of the Sub-Group on Investors in People and also as Chairman of the London TEC Group.

He is also Chairman of London Forum and London First, the twin organisations aimed at promoting London and making it more promotable as a world class capital.

In February 1993 he was appointed a member of the Board of Management of the Conservative Party.