John Davis (British businessman)


Sir John Henry Harris Davis was an English businessman and accountant. He was the managing director, later chairman, of The Rank Organisation

Early life

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

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. He was largely responsible for Rank consolidating film production at Pinewood Studios. He steered the company away from a financial crisis in 1949. 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.

Personal life

Davis married five times. One of his wives was the actress Dinah Sheridan. He died in Westminster, London, on 27 May 1993.