ˈælən dʒˈɔɪnd ɡɹænˈɑːdə pˌiːˌɛlsˈiː ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti wˈʌn, ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəli æz sˌiːˌiːˈoʊ ʌv ɡɹænˈɑːdə tˈɛlᵻvˌɪʒən, bᵻfˌoːɹ bᵻkˈʌmɪŋ ɡɹˈuːp tʃˈiːf ɛɡzˈɛkjuːtˌɪv ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti sˈɪks.
Allen joined Granada plc in 1991, originally as CEO of Granada Television, before becoming Group Chief Executive in 1996.