John Joseph Fallon (born August 1962) is a British businessman. He was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Pearson plc from 2013, succeeding Marjorie Scardino, until 2020. Pearson is one of the world's largest education brands.

Early life

John Joseph Fallon was born in August 1962.MediaGuardian 100 2013: 23. John Fallon
''The Guardian'', 1 September 2013 He graduated from the

University of Hull The University of Hull is a public research university in Kingston upon Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1927 as University College Hull. The main university campus is located in Hull and is home to the Hu ...

in 1983, with a bachelor's degree in economics, politics and sociology.John Fallon
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Bloomberg Business ''Bloomberg Businessweek'', previously known as ''BusinessWeek'' (and before that ''Business Week'' and ''The Business Week''), is an American monthly business magazine published 12 times a year. The magazine debuted in New York City in Septembe ...

Career

Fallon started his career as a researcher for Labour politician

John Prescott John Leslie Prescott, Baron Prescott (31 May 1938 – 20 November 2024) was a British politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and as First Secretary of State from 2001 to 2007. A member of the ...

in 1988. He was the director of corporate affairs at Powergen, now known as E.ON UK, from 1992 to 1997. He became the director of communications of Pearson in 1997. He was on the board of directors of Interactive Data Corporation from 2000 to 2007. In 2010, he became the international education chief executive. He has been the CEO of Pearson since 2013, replacing Marjorie Scardino. In 2013, he decided to close the

adult education Adult education, distinct from child education, is a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained educating activities in order to gain new knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values. Merriam, Sharan B. & Brockett, Ralph G. ''The Pr ...

unit in the UK, Pearson in Practice, which provided apprenticeships to put adults back to work, as it was unprofitable. Fallon undertook a significant restructuring during his tenure at the head of Pearson. Fallon announced plans to retire in 2020 after a successor had been appointed.

Andy Bird Andy Bird CBE (born 3 January 1964) is a British executive. He was chairman of Walt Disney International until 2018. Bird was the CEO of Pearson plc from October 2020 until his retirement on 8 January 2024. Early life Bird was born and rais ...

was selected as the new CEO, he took over on 19 October. Fallon remains an advisor to Pearson.

Personal life

Fallon is married and has two daughters.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fallon, John 1962 births Living people Alumni of the University of Hull British chief executives British corporate directors Pearson plc people