[5] Mayfield graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1986, winning the Sword of Honour as the best cadet on his course.

[10] In 1992, Mayfield graduated from the Cranfield School of Management with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

[1] in November 2010, Mayfield was appointed to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, a non-departmental public body, as Chairman.

He was succeeded by Sharon White at a meeting of the John Lewis Partnership Council on 4 February 2020.

[citation needed] In the 2013 Birthday Honours, it was announced that Mayfield had been appointed a Knight Bachelor (Kt) for services to business.

[17] On 7 February 2014, he was knighted by Charles, Prince of Wales (on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II) during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.