Gary Beckwith shares his remarkable journey from a dyslexic kid in East London to the founder of the UK’s largest tour boat company. A treasure trove of insights, anecdotes, lessons, and inspiration for anyone aspiring to achieve greatness in business and beyond.
A new book hitting the shelves this March promises to take readers on a gripping journey through the highs and lows of building one of the UK’s most successful family businesses. ‘How to Make a Million in Business’ by Gary Beckwith offers an insider’s perspective on the transformative power of ambition, perseverance, and family legacy.
Gary Beckwith, along with his wife Rita, was inducted into the British Travel and Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2019, a testament to their significant impact on the UK’s travel and tourism industry. Over five decades, the Beckwiths revolutionized trade along the River Thames, turning a small venture into the largest tour boat company in the UK—City Cruises PLC.
The book chronicles Gary’s entrepreneurial journey from a dyslexic 15-year-old school dropout to a visionary CEO whose business became a global destination for tourists. Alongside business insights, ‘How to Make a Million in Business’ offers a candid glimpse into the personal moments that defined the family’s success, including Gary’s meetings with the Queen, navigating financial crises, and the exclusive river route to the Millennium Dome that doubled their revenue overnight.
An advanced review in London Business Matters described the book as “a fascinating read, packed with insights, anecdotes and humour.”
Through its pages, aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike will find valuable lessons on navigating the unpredictable nature of running a business, coping with rapid growth, and the emotional complexity of eventually stepping away from a legacy built over decades.
Following his departure from City Cruises in 2019, Gary reflects on his 50-year career with a sense of achievement and a desire to share his experiences with the next generation of entrepreneurs.
This book is not just about how he made his millions or the visionary mindset that got him there. It’s about family, purpose, legacy, and the three generations of Beckwiths that unified an industry and shaped the future of the River Thames.
Gary Beckwith is an entrepreneur, business advisor, speaker and author. His new book How to Make a Million in Business by Gary Beckwith is out now.
