John Sainsbury
John Davan Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Preston Candover, KG (b. 1927) is a British businessman and politician. He is a life peer with the title Baron Sainsbury of Preston Candover, of Preston Candover in the County of Hampshire and sits in the House of Lords as a member of the Conservative Party.
He is the son of Alan Sainsbury, (Baron Sainsbury of Drury Lane in the borough of Holborn) and the nephew of Sir Robert Sainsbury. He is married to the former ballerina Anya Linden. His brother is Sir Timothy Sainsbury, a former Conservative Member of Parliament.
Sainsbury attended Worcester College, Oxford, reading History. He was Chairman of the J Sainsbury Plc supermarket chain until his retirement in 1992, and is credited with leading the company to become the UK's most successful supermarket chain, as well as overseeing its flotation in 1973.[1] Following his retirement his cousin and Labour supporter David Sainsbury (now Lord Sainsbury) became Chairman. By 1998 Sainsbury's had lost its position as the UK's largest supermarket chain to Tesco.
In 1985 he and his brothers provided funds to construct a new wing of the National Gallery.
In 1993 he joined with Lord Rothschild to set up the Butrint Foundation to record and conserve the archaeological site of Butrint in Albania.
Sainsbury is a member of The Leader's Group, the premier Conservative Party supporter group. Through an annual membership fee of £50,000 donors are able to secure access to leading members of the party.
Contents
J Sainsbury Plc was informed on 5 December 2006 by Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover KG, that he no longer holds a reportable interest in the Company following the transfer of shares within his family. As a result, his 3.89% shareholding in Sainsbury's is no longer reportable, and as such, the Sainsbury family's reportable interest now represents 16% of the Company (as of December 2006).
Cameron supporter
Lord Sainsbury gave a personal donation to David Cameron to fund his campaign for leadership of the Conservative Party.
Dinner at Downing Street with the Camerons
- See Powerbase page on Downing Street Dinner Guest List
