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Derek George Rayner, Baron Rayner (30 March 1926 – 26 June 1998) was an English businessman, who was chairman and chief executive of Marks & Spencer, and revived and rapidly expanded the company in the 1980s. He began working for M&S in 1953 as a management trainee and became the first chief executive outside the founding families of the company.

Personal life

Rayner was born in 1926, the son of George and Hilda Rayner. He was educated at City College, Norwich and Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he read theology. From 1946 to 1948 he completed his National Service duty in the Royal Air Force. He remained a bachelor throughout his life, with no known dependents.

Career

Marks & Spencer

Rayner began working for M&S as a management trainee in 1953 at the company's store in Oxford when the company's then chairman, Lord Marcus Sieff, asked his advice about a problem. He rose rapidly in the company's management and became a director in 1967.

By the 1980s the company's trademark, "St. Michael", was outdated and the company sales of clothing and household goods went into decline. Rayner restored the company by holding down costs and encouraging enterprise by employees. He also introduced strict financial controls, refurbishment of the larger stores and additional expansion. In 1988 under his control the company bought the Brooks Brothers clothing company of Canada for $750m, introduced a store charge card and opened more British stores.

Government

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His tight financial controls and strong management practices at M&S led to him working for the British Government headed by Edward Heath, serving in a variety of posts. From 1970 to 1973 he arranged for the three British military services to use a single procurement office, the MoD Procurement Executive.

He also advised Margaret Thatcher on improving Government efficiency, including reducing the number of meetings officials held.

He returned to M&S in 1982. In 1984, he became the first person from outside the founding families to become chief executive.

Honours

In 1973 he was knighted for his government work and on 3 February 1983 he was created a life peer as Baron Rayner, of Crowborough in the County of East Sussex.

References

1. ^ Johnston, David Cay (12 July 1998). "Lord Rayner, 72, Chief of Marks & Spencer". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
2. ^ "Marks in Time" website includes picture
3. ^ "RAYNER, Baron, (Derek George Rayner)". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 2024 (online ed.). A & C Black. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
4. Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume One: Not For Turning - Charles Moore - Google Books Retrieved 2019-04-11.
5. "The Rise and Fall of M&S" - BBC report 28 September 2001
6. "No. 45933". The London Gazette. 20 March 1973. p. 3645.
7. "No. 49260". The London Gazette. 8 February 1983. p. 1869.

• Alumni of Selwyn College, Cambridge
• British retail chief executives
• Businesspeople awarded knighthoods
• English businesspeople in retailing
• Knights Bachelor
• Marks & Spencer people
• Life peers
• 1926 births
• 1998 deaths
• People educated at City College Norwich
• 20th-century English businesspeople
• Life peers created by Elizabeth II