Gary Lubner

Biography

Gary Lubner is a business leader and philanthropist whose career has combined commercial success with social impact. As CEO of Belron for 22 years until early 2023, he transformed the world's leading vehicle glass repair company, growing sales more than sevenfold to approximately 6 billion euros and achieving a valuation of 21 billion euros in 2021. Under his leadership, Belron expanded to employ 30,000 people across 38 countries through brands including Autoglass, Safelite, and Carglass. He continues to serve on Belron's Board while focusing on his philanthropic endeavours.

His commitment to social justice was shaped during his early years in South Africa, where he studied Finance and Accountancy at the University of Cape Town. During the 1980s, he played an active role in the anti-apartheid movement, founding and chairing two anti-apartheid organisations. After completing his MBA at London Business School, where he later established the Gary Lubner Scholarship supporting African students, he developed a leadership style that combined commercial acumen with social responsibility.

Throughout his tenure at Belron, Gary embedded social impact into the company's DNA. In 2001, he co-founded the Spirit of Belron Challenge with six colleagues, which grew to include over 12,000 participants by 2023, raising tens of millions for Afrika Tikkun. His personal commitment is demonstrated through his participation in the triathlon event every year since its inception.

In 2023, Gary founded This Day Foundation, focusing on creating systemic change through early childhood development and youth unemployment initiatives in South Africa, and supporting refugee and asylum causes in the UK. Leadership development is a central theme throughout his work, supporting organisations such as the Obama Foundation and the Clore Social Leadership programme.

His 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. As a trustee of One to One Children's Fund, he has helped pioneer innovative healthcare and support programs for children affected by HIV/AIDS, trauma, and disability. His advisory role with Spring Impact focuses on scaling social innovations to maximise their impact and reach.

Gary's commitment to creating positive change extends to political engagement, supporting the Labour Party in their mission to create better opportunities for young people. His approach combines strategic business acumen with a deep understanding of social innovation, making him an influential voice in both corporate and philanthropic sectors.

Following his transition from Belron CEO, he has dedicated himself fully to philanthropic endeavours, leveraging his expertise in organisational leadership and scaling operations to drive positive social change. His career demonstrates how business leadership can be effectively combined with social impact, creating lasting change in communities worldwide.