Background
Sainsbury, Lord John Devan was born on November 2, 1927 in London.
Sainsbury, Lord John Devan was born on November 2, 1927 in London.
Student, Oxford University. Fellow (honorary), Oxford University, 1982. Doctor of Letters (honorary), South Bank, 1992.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Bristol, 1993. Doctor Economic Science, University Cape Town, South Africa, 2000.
Vice chairman J. Sainsbury PLC, 1967-1969, chairman, 1969-1992, president, since 1992.
Board directors Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, England, 1969-1985, chairman, 1987-1991. Board directors Royal Opera House Trust, 1974-1984, 87-97, The Economist, 1972-1980, chairman Council Friends of Covent Garden, 1969-1981, Benesh Institute Choreology, 1986-1987. Chairman board governors Royal Ballet, since 1987, director board governors, since 1995.
Joint honorary treasurer European Movement, 1972-1975. Trustee National Gallery, 1976-1983, Westminster Abbey Trust, 1977-1983, Tate Gallery, 1982-1983, Rhodes Trust, 1984-1998. Member National Committee for Electoral Reform, 1976-1985.
Chairman board trustees Dulwich Picture Gallery, 1994-2000. Fellow Institute Grocery Distributors. Member Council Retail Consortium, Garrick Club, Contemporary Arts Society (vice patron since 1984), British Retail Consortium (president 1993-1997), Friends of Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (director 1996-2000).
Married Anya Linden, 1963.