It is with much regret that we report that Master Sainsbury (The Rt Hon the Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover KG) sadly died on Friday 14 January, aged 94. The Inn’s flag will fly at half-mast on Wednesday 19 January, in his memory.

Master Sainsbury had a lifelong career at the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s – in 1969 he took over from his uncle Sir Robert Sainsbury as Chairman and Chief Executive, a position he held until his retirement in 1992. He was knighted in 1980 for services to the food retailing industry, was made a life peer in 1989 and became a Knight of the Garter in 1992. A great supporter of the arts, he was a governor of the Royal Ballet School, chair of the Royal Opera House and a trustee of the National Gallery, providing funds, with his two brothers, to construct the Sainsbury Wing of the Museum. He also made significant gifts to the British Museum and Dulwich Picture Gallery amongst others, and ran the Linbury Trust together with his wife, supporting causes across a wide spectrum from arts, heritage, and culture to education access for young people and overseas humanitarian aid.

Master Sainsbury was elected an Honorary Bencher of The Inner Temple in 1985.

Details of any funeral and/or memorial service will be circulated as appropriate in due course.