David Levin (businessman)


David Levin is a British businessman. He is university entrepreneur in residence at Arizona State University.
In his role at ASU, Levin serves as special adviser to university President Michael M. Crow and is tasked with identifying and optimizing ASU's services, businesses and partnerships. In July 2020, he served as executive producer of ASU's "REMOTE: The Connected Faculty Summit," a free online conference with the objective of helping higher education faculty prepare for remote courses in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As the president and CEO of McGraw-Hill Education from 2014 to 2017, Levin sought to drive the company's on going transition from a traditional educational publisher to a full-spectrum digital education company. He has been a vocal proponent of the use of digital and adaptive technology in education. Prior to joining McGraw-Hill Education, Levin served as CEO of UBM plc.
As a child, Levin lived in Salisbury, Rhodesia. His father was a political journalist, and in 1965, when Levin was two, the family were given a day to leave the country. In consequence he has expressed his gratitude to the opportunities given him in his adopted country, and about the advantages of immigration. He attended St Paul's School in London. Levin has a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, and an MBA from Stanford University.
Levin succeeded Clive Hollick as the CEO of UBM plc on 5 April 2005. At UBM Levin set out to focus on building the business in emerging markets and live events, such as exhibitions, by buying smaller companies and selling print titles. He also encouraged the company to use digital media and mobile technologies. In so doing, he warned repeatedly that media companies must adopt new business models as fast as possible. Under his direction, UBM secured its position as one of the world's largest events businesses having expanded into new and emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Indonesia. On 16 September 2013 UBM announced David Levin's resignation as chief executive officer.
Prior to his time at UBM, Levin served as CEO of Symbian plc beginning in April 2002, when the company built the operating system to power the first generation of smartphones. He also held senior positions at Psion, Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC, Apax Partners, Universal Grinding Wheels of Stafford and Bain & Company.
Levin is married to Lindsay Levin, the founder and managing partner of Leaders’ Quest, a social enterprise that brings together leaders from all disciplines and sectors to use their influence to create change. David and Lindsay have three sons. He was on the finance committee of the Oxford University Press.
His mother, Leah Levin OBE, was a director of the human rights organisation JUSTICE. His brother Jeremy Levin was named CEO of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in 2012, the largest company in Israel by market cap. He was replaced by Erez Vigodman.