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Andy Bird

Andy Bird CBE (born 3 January 1964) is a renowned for his extensive career in global media and education sectors, including leadership roles at major corporations such as and . Born in , , Bird began his professional journey in the broadcasting industry, starting as a breakfast show producer at Radio in before advancing to roles at Virgin Broadcasting Company and the BSB Music Channel in . In 2000, he joined as managing director of Disney Channels EMEA, progressing to president of that division in 2002 and ultimately serving as chairman of Walt Disney International from 2008 to 2018, overseeing Disney's operations across more than 170 countries outside the . For his contributions to UK media and entertainment, Bird was appointed Commander of the (CBE) in the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours. Following his tenure at Disney, Bird transitioned to the education sector, joining the Pearson board as an independent in May 2020 and becoming in October 2020, where he led the company's strategic shift toward and assessment solutions until his retirement from the role in January 2024. In October 2025, he assumed the position of chairman of the board at Fubo, a sports-focused live TV streaming platform, amid its business combination with Disney's + Live TV. Throughout his over 35-year career, Bird has been recognized for driving international expansion and in and educational media.

Early life

Upbringing

Andy Bird was born on 3 January 1964 in , . He grew up in a working-class family with his parents, Alan and Maureen Bird. The family initially lived above a shop in Irlam, reflecting their modest circumstances, before relocating to Denbury Avenue in the nearby suburb of Stockton Heath. Bird's early years were shaped by his father's dedication to hard work, which instilled a strong in the young Andy. His mother, Maureen, remained in into adulthood, maintaining close family ties. As a teenager, Bird discovered his passion for media and entertainment through local radio broadcasts on Piccadilly Radio in . He was particularly inspired by DJ Phil Wood's shows, which he listened to avidly while preparing for his A-levels, sparking his interest in broadcasting. This enthusiasm led to his first media-related role, working as a and phone answerer for DJ at the station.

Education

Bird was born and raised in , which laid the foundation for his educational pursuits in nearby . He attended King's School in , where he initially focused on sciences, studying physics, , and with aspirations to pursue medicine at . Influenced by local radio DJ Phil Wood on Piccadilly Radio, Bird shifted his interests toward media and broadcasting, changing his A-level subjects to English, history, and economics; this transition exposed him to early radio-related activities, such as listening to broadcasts and interacting with programming. In 1985, Bird earned a degree in and literature from .

Career

Early broadcasting roles

After graduating with a degree in and literature from in 1985, Andy Bird began his career at Piccadilly Radio in , where he initially assisted as one of Timmy Mallett's helpers before advancing to produce the station's breakfast show. Bird's role at Piccadilly involved hands-on programming responsibilities, contributing to the station's daily content delivery during the mid-1980s radio landscape in the UK. In 1985, he relocated to to join Virgin Broadcasting Company, serving as a senior producer for and the satellite-delivered national radio service , where he helped launch and program the latter as head of programming. These early positions immersed him in the operational aspects of emerging broadcast technologies, including distribution. Transitioning into sales and marketing at Virgin Broadcasting in the late , Bird played a key role in launching , Europe's first 24-hour music television channel, which honed his expertise in content commercialization and channel development. In 1989, he moved to (BSB) as launch director for The Power Station, BSB's dedicated music channel, overseeing programming, sales strategies, and operational setup amid the competitive rollout of and media in the early . These experiences at Virgin and BSB solidified his foundational knowledge in the burgeoning sector, bridging radio production with innovative multichannel operations.

Time Warner

Andy Bird joined Time Warner in 1994 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Networks, leveraging his prior experience in to manage operations for the company's entertainment portfolio. In this role, he focused on the strategic development of Turner's cable networks, particularly in international markets, marking a significant transition from his earlier European-based positions to a global executive platform within the media conglomerate. In 2000, Bird was promoted to President of TBS International, where he oversaw the international distribution, operations, and expansion of Time Warner's key cable properties outside the United States. This position placed him at the helm of a division responsible for broadcasting networks such as Cartoon Network, TNT, and Turner Classic Movies, with a emphasis on growing viewership and market penetration in regions including Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Under his leadership, TBS International navigated the competitive landscape of global media during a period of rapid digital and cable proliferation. Bird's tenure at Time Warner was marked by notable achievements in , particularly during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He played a pivotal role in scaling from a single European channel to 13 outlets across the continent, enhancing its reach and cultural impact in . Similarly, efforts under his oversight contributed to the broader rollout of , solidifying Time Warner's presence in premium cable entertainment abroad through strategic partnerships and localized programming. These initiatives helped establish as a dominant force in global television distribution, bridging from the U.S. to diverse audiences.

Disney International

Andy Bird joined in 2004 as President of Walt Disney International, reporting to then-CEO , and relocated from the to to spearhead the division's global strategy. In 2008, he was elevated to Chairman, a position he held until 2018, overseeing all Disney businesses outside the , including theme parks, consumer products, media networks, and digital initiatives across more than 190 countries. Under Bird's leadership, Disney pursued aggressive expansion in emerging markets, particularly in and , leveraging content localization and strategic partnerships to build brand affinity. A key milestone was the 2006 acquisition of , India's leading children's cable channel, for $30.5 million, which bolstered Disney's presence in the Hindi-speaking market and provided a platform for localized programming. Concurrently, Disney made a $14 million investment for a 14.9% stake in UTV Software Communications, enabling co-productions and distribution of Disney content tailored for South Asian audiences. These moves exemplified Bird's focus on content-driven growth, drawing on his prior experience at Time Warner in developing international cable networks. Bird's tenure marked substantial growth for Disney's international operations, with revenues rising at an average annual rate of around 10% and the segment's contribution to overall company earnings reaching 35% in 2004. By 2018, international activities had expanded to generate over $14 billion in annual revenue, representing a more than doubling from 2004 levels and solidifying Disney's position as a global entertainment leader. This growth was driven by enhanced in high-potential regions, including launches of localized channels and digital platforms in and .

Pearson

Andy Bird was appointed Chief Executive of on October 19, 2020, succeeding John Fallon, and continued to lead the company from his base in . Under his leadership, Pearson accelerated its strategic transformation from a traditional publisher of physical textbooks to a digital education provider emphasizing school assessments, virtual learning, and models, drawing on Bird's prior experience with digital disruption at International. Bird's tenure focused on key initiatives to drive this shift, including substantial investments in digital platforms such as the launch of Pearson+ in July 2021, a subscription service offering access to over 1,500 e-textbooks and study tools that reached 2.75 million registered users and 133,000 paid subscribers by the end of 2021. To streamline operations, Pearson divested non-core assets, including the sale of its in in February 2021 and K12 Sistemas in in October 2021 for £108 million, generating a £84 million gain and allowing refocus on high-growth digital areas. The further hastened these trends, with Bird overseeing adaptations like enhanced online proctoring through Pearson VUE and donations of 250 laptops to UK schools, which boosted demand for virtual learning solutions and contributed to a 9% underlying growth in digital sales during 2021. However, his leadership faced challenges, notably a 2023 revolt where 46% of votes opposed a new remuneration policy amid concerns over executive pay, including Bird's package exceeding £8 million. In September 2023, Bird announced his retirement, effective January 8, 2024, after guiding Pearson through three years of turnaround that improved adjusted operating profit by 33% to £385 million in and positioned the company for sustained digital growth. He was succeeded by Omar Abbosh, formerly of . Following his retirement from Pearson, Bird was appointed chairman of the board at Fubo, a sports-focused live TV streaming platform, in October 2025, coinciding with its business combination with Disney's + Live TV.

Personal life

Family

Andy Bird is married to Caroline Bird. The couple has two sons, and Toby. Bird has balanced his high-profile career moves with family life, including the 2004 relocation to upon joining as president of Walt Disney International. In a 2012 interview, Bird shared an anecdote about informing his wife Caroline first upon learning of his Commander of the (CBE) honor, followed by telling his mother Maureen the day before the public announcement; she initially struggled to comprehend the news.

Residences

In 2004, Bird relocated to , , to assume the role of President of International, marking the establishment of his long-term base in the United States. This move aligned with Disney's headquarters in nearby Burbank and facilitated his oversight of global operations from a central U.S. location. His family, including his wife and two sons, accompanied him on this transatlantic relocation, adapting to life in over the subsequent years. Bird maintained his residence throughout his tenure as CEO of Pearson from October 2020 to January 2024, operating remotely from while Pearson covered costs for a used for business purposes. This arrangement reflected his established family roots in the state and the flexibility of his executive role amid the company's efforts.

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