Julian Horn-Smith

Sir Julian Michael Horn-Smith (born December 1948) is a British businessman who is a member of the boards of a number of international corporations and advises others. He was deputy chief executive of Vodafone until July 2006.

Horn-Smith joined Vodafone at its foundation in 1984 and held a number of senior posts including chief operating officer, managing director Vodafone International and deputy group CEO. Considered a principal architect in the development of Vodafone’s global strategy, during his career with the company he was closely involved in many of Vodafone's major international transactions, including the formation of Vodafone AirTouch in 1999. This merger (of the UK and US businesses) created one of the top 25 companies in the world by market capitalisation. The subsequent acquisition of Mannesmann in 2000, almost doubled the size of Vodafone making it the world's largest mobile telecommunications company and the largest FTSE100 quoted stock. In 1996 he was appointed to the board and in 2005 became deputy chief executive. Horn-Smith was instrumental in the foundation of many of Vodafone's largest subsidiary businesses today (such as those in Turkey, Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa, and Egypt.

Born in London, Horn-Smith, attended King's Norton Grammar School in Birmingham. He received a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of London in 1970, and a master's degree in Business Administration with Finance and Marketing from the University of Bath in 1979. In 2007 Horn-Smith received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bath where he is now pro-chancellor and a member of the University Council.

In 2004 he received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his services to international telecommunications.

In 2006 Horn-Smith was appointed to the board of Digicel Group, a private telecom group which operate wireless networks in the Caribbean, Pacific and Central American regions and the leading operator in the Caribbean.

Horn-Smith is a supporter of Turkish/British relations and a founder and co-chairman (with Jack Straw ) of the TATLIDiL conference that takes place annually between the UK and Turkey.The conference is sponsored by The FCO.

In 2010, Horn-Smith became a Pro Chancellor of Bath University where he also chairs the School of Management’s Advisory Board.

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