Gordon Gibb
Encyclopedia
Gordon Gibb is the CEO of Flamingo Land Ltd
and former chairman of Bradford City Football Club
.
in Scotland
, moving to Yorkshire
when his father, Robert Gibb, a former professional footballer, set up the family run theme park Flamingo Land. Gordon continues to live in Yorkshire with his wife and two children, but retains close links with his Scottish roots.
Robert Gibb died in 1995 after a car accident on his way to an emergency board meeting at Hamilton Academical Football Club where he was chairman. Gordon and his two sisters, Vicky and Melanie took over the responsibility of the family business.
The tragic death of his father cut short Gibb's return to Scotland for higher education as he returned home to run the business. He had been reading politics, philosophy and economics at Glasgow University, before which he was educated at Woodleigh School and then leading York public school St Peter's
.
Gibb's sporting career was also cut short when focus shifted to business rather than his football and rugby. He formerly represented Scotland Colts at Rugby Union
. The sporting interest has continued however; as a keen amateur boxer with Westway ABC and also time as chairman of Bradford City Football Club
.
, with Julian Rhodes
after the club had gone into administration. He resigned as chairman in January 2004, handing over to Rhodes, but his pension fund owns the club's Valley Parade
ground.
Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo
Flamingo Land is a theme park and resort located in North Yorkshire, England. It attracts about 1.8 million visitors per year. Flamingo Land is also the 12th most visited theme park in Europe.Some of the major attractions at Flamingo Land include:...
and former chairman of Bradford City Football Club
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
.
Personal
Gordon Gibb was born in StrathavenStrathaven
Strathaven is a historic market town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The town was granted a Royal Charter in 1450, making the Town of Strathaven a burgh of barony. The town's principal industry was primarily weaving in the 19th and early 20th centuries, however this declined when faced by...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, moving to Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
when his father, Robert Gibb, a former professional footballer, set up the family run theme park Flamingo Land. Gordon continues to live in Yorkshire with his wife and two children, but retains close links with his Scottish roots.
Robert Gibb died in 1995 after a car accident on his way to an emergency board meeting at Hamilton Academical Football Club where he was chairman. Gordon and his two sisters, Vicky and Melanie took over the responsibility of the family business.
The tragic death of his father cut short Gibb's return to Scotland for higher education as he returned home to run the business. He had been reading politics, philosophy and economics at Glasgow University, before which he was educated at Woodleigh School and then leading York public school St Peter's
St Peter's School, York
St Peter's School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in the English City of York, with extensive grounds on the banks of the River Ouse...
.
Gibb's sporting career was also cut short when focus shifted to business rather than his football and rugby. He formerly represented Scotland Colts at Rugby Union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. The sporting interest has continued however; as a keen amateur boxer with Westway ABC and also time as chairman of Bradford City Football Club
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
.
Flamingo Land Ltd
Flamingo Land Ltd is the operating company of Flamingo Land Resort. It was begun by Gordon Gibb's father, Robert Gibb, who was a director of Scotia Leisure, owners of the Yorkshire attraction. He purchased it from the company to develop it under his sole direction.Bradford City FC
Gibb joined Bradford City in August 2002, taking over as chairman from Geoffrey RichmondGeoffrey Richmond
Geoffrey Richmond was a football chairman of Bradford City from 1994 to 2002, and previously chairman of Scarborough.-Biography:Richmond was born and raised in Leeds, where he attended Roundhay Grammar School...
, with Julian Rhodes
Julian Rhodes
Julian David Rhodes is the chairman of English League Two football side Bradford City. He has been chairman since December 2004, after taking the club out of administration. In 2007, he became joint-chairman with Mark Lawn....
after the club had gone into administration. He resigned as chairman in January 2004, handing over to Rhodes, but his pension fund owns the club's Valley Parade
Valley Parade
Valley Parade, also known as the Coral Windows Stadium through sponsorship rights, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1886, and was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association...
ground.