Gordon is a Celt born in Bridge of Allan, Scotland, and educated at the University of Edinburgh where he graduated with an MA Honours. He started his career in brand management with Nestle, Cadbury, the Imperial Group and then Frito-Lay, the snack food division of PepsiCo. He worked for them for 10 years in the USA, Australasia and Europe as Director of International Marketing, Director of Operations, as MD of their Australian snack food business and lastly, as CFO of their European business.
Gordon joined Lion, an ASX 50 beverage business, initially as the MD of their Australian beer business and subsequently as CEO for seven years. During his tenure the company was transformed into a purpose and values led organisation, with an achievement culture that saw, sales grow 6% CAGR, EPS grew 11% CAGR and a total return to shareholders in the top quartile of global beverage companies at 21.3%.
Gordon stepped down from an executive career and served on the Boards of Westpac Bank (nine years), David Jones (six months), Macquarie Group (six years), as Chairman of Origin Energy (seven years) and Woolworths Group (seven years). He has extensive advisory experience with CVC, Archer Capital, McKinsey, Luminis Partners and GNG Growth Partners.
In the not-for-profit sector Gordon served on the Boards of Good Return (15 years) a micro finance provider to the poor women in South East Asia, and Opera Australia where he Chaired the Audit Committee.