Gary BeckwithGary Beckwith is a pioneering British entrepreneur. From leaving school at 15 with undiagnosed dyslexia and zero qualifications, he went on to build an empire on the River Thames.Gary launched City Cruises PLC, a single vessel selling fuel to passingships. Over the next four decades, working alongside his wife, Rita, that vessel became a fleet of 40, offering sightseeing, private charters, speed boat trips and more, in places like London, York and Poole. When they sold the business in 2019, it was carrying more than four million passengers a year, with over 500 staff, and generating an annual revenue of over £25 million. Gary's success benefited more than just the Beckwiths. Thanks to their tireless lobbying, they secured a 10-year operating licence on the Thames, revolutionising the sector and enabling year-round planning, investment and growth. In 2016, Gary was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Coventry University, and in 2019, he and Rita were inducted into the British Travel and Hospitality Hall of Fame. Gary's leadership and entrepreneurial story has been featured in major outlets, including The Times, Forbes, Elite Business Magazine and Authority Magazine. In 2025, Gary released his debut book, How to Make a Million in Business (Wrate's Publishing), which blends his extraordinary personal story with practical lessons for entrepreneurs. The book has been praised as "a fascinating look back on 50 years of hard graft, distilled into lessons that can help and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs" (Elite Business). And The Times said, "There may not be anybody alive who knows the River Thames better than Gary Beckwith."Today, Gary continues to invest in businesses, mentor entrepreneurs through online courses and share his insights as a speaker and author. Read More Read Less