John Davis (British businessman)

Sir John Henry Harris Davis (10 November 1906 – 27 May 1993) was an English businessman and accountant. He was the managing director, later chairman, of The Rank Organisation

For other people named John Davis, see John Davis (disambiguation).

Sir John Davis
Born
John Henry Harris Davis

(1906-11-10)10 November 1906
London, England
Died27 May 1993(1993-05-27) (aged 86)
Westminster, London, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materCity of London School
OccupationAccountant, businessman
EmployerRank Organisation
Known forFormer managing director of & Chair of Rank Organisation
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1954; div. 1965)​

Early life

John Davis was born in the City of London in 1906 to Sidney Myring Davis and Emily Harris.[1][2] He was educated at the City of London School.[3]

Career

Davis became a member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries, and was Secretary to a number of companies before joining Odeon Theatres in 1938 as an accountant, becoming managing director of the Rank Organisation in 1948.[3] He was largely responsible for Rank consolidating film production at Pinewood Studios.[4] He steered the company away from a financial crisis in 1949.[5] and into a stronger financial position by diversifying the groups business. He ceased being managing director of the conglomerate in 1962 and became chairman, succeeding J. Arthur Rank in the position after Rank's retirement. Davis was knighted in 1971 and retired from the chairmanship in 1977.[3]

Personal life

Davis married five times. He married Joan Buckingham in 1926, with whom he had a son; then, in 1947, Marion Gavid, who gave him two daughters, Susan and Janet; in 1954, he married the actress Dinah Sheridan (marriage dissolved 1965); and in 1976, Mrs Felicity Rutland. He died in Westminster, London, on 27 May 1993.[3][6]

References
  1. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538–1975
  2. England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007
  3. Clement, John (1 July 1993). "Obituary: Sir John Davis". The Independent. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  4. McFarlane, Brian, ed. (2003). The Encyclopedia of British Film. London: Methuen/BFI. p. 164. Online at: McFarlane, Brian (2003–14). "Davis, John (1906-1993)". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  5. Warren, Patricia (2001). British Film Studios: An Illustrated History. London: B.T. Batsford. p. 120.
  6. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858–1995
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