Justin King CBE
Pro-Chancellor, distinguished friends, colleagues, graduands and guests.
Justin King CBE is a renowned figure-head of British business. He’s most well-known for leading J Sainsburys PLC through a lengthy period of unbroken growth – not the easiest of tasks given the turbulence of the supermarket industry. His career path has steered him through senior positions at some of the most successful brands, blazing a trail for British business. Justin was born in the East End of London in 1961, before moving to the Midlands with his parents. As a child, Justin was ‘sports mad’. His boyhood heroes were Bobby Charlton and Ian Botham and he spent all of his free time playing football or training for athletics competitions.
He studied at Tudor Grange School in Solihull before moving onto 6th form college. Whilst at college, Justin visited the Spa town of Bath and fell in love with the area; a love affair that would ultimately shape his choice to study a business degree at Bath University.
Following graduation, Justin worked his way up the retail sector ladder, building a portfolio of brands including Mars, Pepsi-Co, Marks and Spencer and Asda. He was also involved in the introduction of Häagen-Dazs ice cream to the UK - something we should all be grateful for.
He joined Sainsbury's in March 2004, and was seen as the company's last chance to win back market share from its rivals and remain independent. Shortly after taking up his role as Chief Executive Officer, Justin launched his recovery programme for the company under the banner "Making Sainsbury's Great Again".
In 2011, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Birthday Honours for services to the retail industry.
In early 2014, Sainsbury’s announced that Justin was to step down as CEO after ten years at the top, in which an additional 10 million customers shopped in Sainsbury’s stores each week; underlying profits nearly trebled and Sainsbury’s was named Supermarket of the Year (for the sixth time in eight years at the Retail Industry Awards).
Justin now lives in Warwickshire and his childhood love of sports lives on. He’s very active and enjoys running and cycling and competes in triathlons. His passion for sport has also been passed on to his two children. His daughter loves horse riding and his son is a successful Formula 3 racing driver.
In recognition of his outstanding leadership within the retail sector and for his significant contribution to the UK economy, Coventry University, by decision of the Academic Board, has the privilege of conferring the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa, on Justin King.