Mark Gallagher
Having been involved in the world of Grand Prix motor racing for over 20 years, Mark Gallagher is principally known for his 9 years working as part of the senior management team at Eddie Jordan’s Formula One team and subsequently former Marketing & Sponosrship Director of Jordan Grand Prix and Red Bull Racing and Formula One Consultant. Widely respected within the industry Mark now heads his own sports management company. Mark not only consults for Formula One teams and manages Grand Prix drivers but is also Managing Director and Team Principal of A1 Team Ireland, competing for the World Cup of Motor sport in the new 12-race A1 Grand Prix motor racing series.
Leadership, motivation, teamwork and the use of technology to gain competitive advantage are just some of the areas into which Mark has gained a unique insight into what it takes to be a winner in the high pressure world of Formula One. Teamwork, leadership and motivation are key among the qualities need to sussed in this most demanding of sports. Mark also has much to share on the operational issues affecting Formula One, from change management though to the important health and safety issues which have affected the sport. With his vast knowledge of the inner workings of Formula One he has become perhaps the most prolific speaker from within the exciting world of Grand Prix racing.
A former journalist and broadcaster in the 1980s, when he covered Formula One for the Sunday Express and was a regular broadcaster on television and radio, Mark was for many years best known for his long and successful association with Jordan Grand Prix – once described by television commentator as being ‘the most motivated team in Formula One’. Heading up the team’s marketing and communications side, Mark was a right hand man to Eddie Jordan during two spells with the team totalling nine years.
After leaving Jordan, Mark joined the management team behind British Formula One star Jenson Button before accepting an offer to head up sponsorship and commercial negotiations for Jaguar’s fast-improving Formula One team.
During his two decades in the sport Mark has, through his work with teams, sponsors and the media, had occasion to closely observe some of the most famous names in the sport – Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, John Watson, Ricardo Patrese Michael and Ralf Schumacher, Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Jensen Button Rubens Barrichello, Martin Brundle, Giancarlo Fisichella, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Jarno Trulli, Takuma Sato and Ralph Firman.
His experience of top-flight motor sport has not been limited to Formula One. During the 1980s Mark was a leading correspondent for publications covering the lower formulae of racing, while in the early 1990s he worked in both the British and World Rally Championships including periods with the Prodrive Subaru and Ford Motorsport rally teams.
A well known face in the Formula One paddocks around the world, Mark gives a fascinating insight into the world of top level motor sport, drawing parallels between the challenging, high speed environment of Formula One and the fast-paced business world of today.
With a relaxed, anecdotal and humorous style, Mark gives businesses and organisations a rare insight into what it takes to build winning teams and compete for success at world level.
