11 Facts About Simon Sainsbury

Simon David Davan Sainsbury was a British businessman, philanthropist and art collector.

Simon Sainsbury's brothers are John; Timothy, former Conservative Minister of Trade.

David Simon Sainsbury, Labour life peer and Minister for Science, is a cousin.

Simon Sainsbury was educated at Sandroyd School, Eton College, where he became head of his house and President of the Eton Society.

Simon Sainsbury joined the finance department of the family company, then known as J Sainsbury, in 1956 and became a director in 1959, responsible for finance.

When his brother John became chairman of Sainsbury's in 1969, Simon was given the deputy chairmanship.

In 1973, it was Simon Sainsbury who steered the company through what became the largest ever floatation on the London Stock Exchange.

Simon Sainsbury was a trustee of the Wallace Collection from 1977 to 1997, and a trustee of the National Gallery from 1991 to 1998.

Simon Sainsbury supported the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House.

Simon Sainsbury refused all public honours, and declined an entry in Who's Who.

Simon Sainsbury suffered from Parkinson's disease in his later years, and ultimately suffered a fall which caused his death.