Gary Lubner serves on the board as a trusted advisor to Spring Impact, bringing decades of experience in scaling organisations and driving social change. His expertise in growing organisations is demonstrated by his remarkable 22-year tenure as CEO of Belron, where he increased sales more than sevenfold to approximately 6 billion euros, leading to a valuation of 21 billion euros in 2021. Under his leadership, Belron expanded to employ 30,000 people across 38 countries, providing valuable insights into organisational scaling that now benefit Spring Impact’s mission.
His understanding of scaling social impact is rooted in both business success and deep philanthropic experience. After studying Finance and Accountancy at the University of Cape Town and completing his MBA at London Business School, Gary developed a unique approach to combining commercial growth with social responsibility. At Belron, he initiated the Spirit of Belron Challenge in 2001, which grew from six colleagues to over 12,000 participants by 2023, raising tens of millions for charitable causes. His personal commitment is evidenced by his participation in the triathlon event every year since its inception.
Since stepping down as Belron CEO in early 2023 (while maintaining a Board position), Gary has increased his focus on social impact initiatives. He founded This Day Foundation, focusing on early childhood development and youth unemployment in South Africa, and supporting refugee and asylum causes in the UK. His work emphasises leadership development, supporting organisations such as the Obama Foundation and the Clore Social Leadership programme.
Gary’s commitment to social justice was shaped by his early years in South Africa, where he founded and chaired two anti-apartheid organisations during the 1980s. This experience influences his approach to scaling social impact, understanding the importance of systemic change and sustainable growth in the social sector.
His broad philanthropic engagement includes chairing and serving on boards of various organisations including the Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust, Afrika Tikkun, and the One to One Children’s Fund. He established the Gary Lubner Scholarship at London Business School, supporting African students in pursuing their MBA studies, demonstrating his commitment to developing future leaders.
Gary’s dedication to creating positive change extends to political engagement, supporting the Labour Party in their mission to create better opportunities for young people. His combination of business acumen and social consciousness makes him a valuable advisor to Spring Impact, helping organisations scale their social innovations effectively and sustainably.