Background
He was born in County Down, Northern Ireland.
engineer entrepreneur Supervisory board
He was born in County Down, Northern Ireland.
He attended Belfast College of Technology (since 1991 called Belfast Metropolitan College). At Queen"s University Belfast he was awarded a Doctor of Science (Honours) degree in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture.
He is currently Chairman of Anglo American Public Limited Company and Ombu Group, Deputy Chairman of DP World, and a Director of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and Carnival Corporation & PLC He is also past President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, patron at the Centre for Process Innovation and a Visiting Fellow of the University of Oxford. Sir John has chaired five FTSE 100 companies, including National Grid plc, from which he stood down in December 2011.
In 1958, at age 17, he joined Harland and Wolff as an apprentice naval architect (engineer).
1983–1993 chief executive of Harland and Wolff
1994–2000 Chairman of Babcock International Group
2000–2002 Chairman of Lattice Group
2000–present Director of Carnival plc
2002–2011 Chairman of National Grid PLC
2003–present Director of Carnival Corporation
May 2007–present Director and Vice-Chairman of DP World
2007–present Director of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company
July 2008 Non-executive Chairman of BVT Surface Fleet. July 2009–present Chairman of Anglo American Public Limited Company.
April 2011–present Non-executive Chairman of Ombu Group
August 2015 – present Chairman of Pennon Group Public Limited Company.
He was knighted for services to defence and shipbuilding in 2001.
He was also the Chancellor of the University of Southampton, from 2006 to 2011, as well as being a governor of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Other appointments have included membership of the Prime Minister"s Business Council for Britain and non-executive director at the Bank of England.
He was President of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects from 1996-1999.
He was conferred with Honorary Fellowship of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland in 2012. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1983. He was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (The Institution of Engineering and Technology ) in 2014.
Vice president Royal Navy and Marines Charity. Governor Royal National Lifeboat Institute. Fellow: Royal Academy of Engineering.
Member: Royal Institute of Naval Architects (president 1996-1999).
Married Emma Parker, 1967. Children: Graham, Fiona.