We are very sad to announce the death of Honorary Fellow, The Rt. Hon. Lord John Sainsbury of Preston Candover, on Friday 14th January, aged 94.

Lord John came up to Worcester in 1948, where he read Modern History. He was a committed philanthropist and his support, both individually and through his charitable foundation, the Linbury Trust – formed jointly with his wife, Anya – changed the very fabric of College. Notable examples of their support for Worcester include the construction of the Sainsbury Building and the beautiful refurbishment of the Hall, as well as enhancing academic life through the formation of the Asa Briggs Fellowship in the Humanities. He and his family have been huge supporters of Worcester for many years and we are hugely grateful for all they do and have done to support the life of the College.

Lord John was elected as an Honorary Fellow of Worcester in 1982, and became a member of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors of the University of Oxford in 1999.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Anya, his three children, John Julian, Mark, and Sarah, and the wider Sainsbury family at this very sad time.

A full obituary of Lord John can be read both in The Guardian and in The Telegraph.

David Isaac CBE, Provost

Painting: Saïd Business School