John King, Baron King of Wartnaby

He was also directly involved with the "dirty tricks" campaign waged by British Airways against Virgin Atlantic.

When the Second World War broke out, the motor business folded, but by then King had diversified into more general engineering work and so prospered from defence contracts and making parts for aircraft.

He benefited hugely from War Ministry contracts and was able to use rare American machine tools that he acquired under the Lend Lease programme.

He was made Knight Bachelor in the 1979 New Year Honours, and appointed Chairman of the National Enterprise Board in 1980 and, famously, taking over as head of British Airways (BA).

Dubbed "Mrs. Thatcher's favourite businessman" he was chosen to prepare the loss-making nationalised flag carrier for privatisation.

In its early years of service with BA, Concorde lost the carrier money and attracted criticism from the press as a white elephant.

Following a highly publicised mercy mission to Iraq to fly home hostages who had been held by Saddam Hussein in 1991,[2] King is reported to have told Marshall and his PA Director David Burnside to "do something about Branson".

His interests included directorships at the Daily Telegraph, Spectator, headhunting company Norman Broadbent, and engineering firm Short Brothers.

Lord King kept a flat in London for many years, in Eaton Square, and during his time running British Airways he lived there during the week.