Jason Gissing
Born1970
NationalityBritish
EducationOundle School
Alma materWorcester College, Oxford University
Known forOcado

Jason Gissing (born 1970) is one of the founders of Ocado, the largest online supermarket in the world.

Early life

Gissing was born in the UK to a Japanese mother and English father and was educated at Oundle School in Northamptonshire and Worcester College, Oxford University. Whilst at Oxford University, Gissing was a member of the Bullingdon Club, an exclusive drinking society.[1][2]

Career

After graduating from university, Gissing worked as a bond trader at Goldman Sachs.[3] In January 2000, he started Ocado with two former colleagues from Goldman Sachs, Tim Steiner and Jonathan Faiman.[3][4] He became chief financial officer of the company.[3] The company moved from a start-up to a household name during his 15 years there.

In January 2014, Gissing announced that he would retire in May.[5] On his departure, Ocado had sales of £1 billion and had made its first ever profit.[6] In May 2018, Ocado joined the FTSE 100 valued at almost £6 billion. At the time it was the most valuable technology business in the U.K.[7]

Personal life

Gissing is married to former downhill skier Katinka, daughter of Arne Næss Jr. who led the first ever successful Norwegian ascent of Everest with Sir Chris Bonington and was most famous for being the husband of Diana Ross for 15 years.[8] Gissing and his wife have four children.[8]

References

  1. ^ Aitkenhead, Decca (3 May 2009). "'I've got letters on my desk saying: 'Dear Jason, you have changed my life' - which is actually quite odd'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Ocado founder: I was about to get on a plane to Japan". Evening Standard. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Clark, Piilita (4 February 2014). "Jason Gissing: Banker turned unlikely grocer". Financial Times. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Ocado: facts and figures". 1 February 2011. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  5. ^ Farrell, Sean (6 February 2014). "Outgoing Ocado co-founder Jason Gissing sells £15m worth of shares". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  6. ^ Farrell, Sean; Butler, Sarah (4 February 2014). "Ocado directors to share £5.5m bonus pot despite widening losses last year". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Ocado moves up to FTSE 100 as M&S avoids relegation". Sky News. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  8. ^ a b ""Lucy Kellaway meets The Man with the Ocado Van"". Financial Times. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
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