Sir John Sunderland (KES 1956-1963)

Sir John Michael Sunderland (above centre) was President of the Confederation of British Industry from 2004 to 2006, where his priority was restoring confidence in business. He was Chief Executive of Cadbury Schweppes from 1996 to 2003 before becoming non-executive Chairman for five years. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts and was knighted in the Queen's birthday honours list 2006 for services to business.

Sir John was Guest of Honour and presented the prizes on Foundation Day 2008. His address looked at the global challenges facing post industrial Britain. Having worked at Cadbury's for 40 years, he had witnessed rapid change in the business world. When he started at Bourneville, no-one had heard of climate change or the internet or thought for a moment that China and India would become economic giants. He encouraged pupils to take personal responsibility for their own futures. ‘If you say you are going to do something, make sure you do it', he said. He also reminded pupils to have fun!