Jason Gissing Explained

Jason Gissing
Birth Date:1970
Education:Oundle School
Alma Mater:Worcester College, Oxford University
Known For:Ocado
Nationality:British

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.[4] He became chief financial officer of the company. 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.

Notes and References

  1. News: Aitkenhead . Decca . 2009-05-03 . 'I've got letters on my desk saying: 'Dear Jason, you have changed my life' - which is actually quite odd' . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-10-16 . 0261-3077.
  2. Web site: 2011-03-18. Ocado founder: I was about to get on a plane to Japan. 2020-07-31. Evening Standard. en.
  3. Web site: Clark. Piilita. 4 February 2014. Jason Gissing: Banker turned unlikely grocer. subscription. 2020-07-31. Financial Times.
  4. News: 2011-02-01. Ocado: facts and figures. en-GB. 2020-07-31. 0307-1235.
  5. News: Farrell. Sean. 2014-02-06. Outgoing Ocado co-founder Jason Gissing sells £15m worth of shares. en-GB. The Guardian. 2020-07-31. 0261-3077.
  6. Web site: Farrell. Sean. Butler. Sarah. 4 February 2014. Ocado directors to share £5.5m bonus pot despite widening losses last year. 27 January 2018. The Guardian.
  7. Web site: Ocado moves up to FTSE 100 as M&S avoids relegation. 30 May 2018. Sky News.
  8. Web site: "Lucy Kellaway meets The Man with the Ocado Van". 27 January 2018. Financial Times.