former role as non-executive Chairman of ConvaTec Group Plc. Personal life In 2006 Gent was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Laws) from the University of Bath. He received a knighthood for his services to the telecoms industry in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours. He was also appointed as a HonFREng of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2004. In March 2007 Gent called for a referendum on London's hosting of the 2012 Olympics. He was quoted as saying "I cannot see that the long-term economic benefit of hosting the Games outweighs the costs and the horrific burden on the taxpayer, particularly London rate-payers. The cost for them is going to be astronomically high." Gent is an avid sports fan and enjoys golf, skiing and tennis. However, his real passion is cricket, having grown up next door to The Oval and he is well known to travel long distances to attend matches. He famously instigated the deal with Airtouch whilst on his mobile phone at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Vodafone sponsored the England cricket team for many years until 2007. He married Kate in July 1999 in Wokingham and they have two sons. He has two daughters from a former marriage. He lives in Newbury in Berkshire. References External links GSK Honorary degree from Brunel University in 2000 1948 births Living people English businesspeople Businesspeople in the pharmaceutical industry Vodafone people Chairmen of GSK plc Knights Bachelor People from Beckenham People from Lambourn People from Gosport People educated at Archbishop Tenison's Church of England School, Lambeth Lehman Brothers people British chief executives British chairpersons of corporations Schroders people