John Baring, 7th Baron Ashburton

John Francis Harcourt Baring, 7th Baron Ashburton
Born	(1928-11-02) 2 November 1928
Died	6 October 2020(2020-10-06) (aged 91)
Occupation	Merchant banker
Known for	Chairman of British Petroleum (1992–1995)

John Francis Harcourt Baring, 7th Baron Ashburton (2 November 1928 – 6 October 2020) was a distinguished British merchant banker who served as chairman of British Petroleum between 1992 and 1995. His corporate governance experience extended to board memberships at Jaguar Cars, Dunlop Rubber, and Royal Insurance.

Family

As the firstborn son of Alexander Baring, 6th Baron Ashburton and Doris Harcourt, he descended maternally from Lewis Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt and Mary Ethel Burns. This lineage connected him to the American banking dynasty of J. P. Morgan through the Morgan family ties.

First marriage

On 25 November 1955, he wedded Susan Mary Renwick, daughter of Robert Renwick, 1st Baron Renwick. They had four offspring:

• Lucinda Mary Louise "Lucy" Baring (born 1956), who married Michael John Wilmot Malet Vaughan; they have three children.
• Mark Francis Robert Baring (born 1958), married Miranda Caroline Wright; they have four children.
• Rose Theresa Baring (born 1961), spouse of Barnaby Rogerson; mother to two daughters.
• Alexander Nicholas John "Zam" Baring (born 1964), married Lucy Caroline Fraser, daughter of General David Fraser (British Army officer); they have four children.

The marriage ended in divorce in 1984.

Second marriage

Following his first marriage's dissolution, Lord Ashburton married Sarah Cornelia Spencer-Churchill in 1987. She serves as a director at Borderline, a privately held textile firm, and has three children from a prior marriage. There were no children from their union.

Career

Lord Ashburton received his education at Eton College and later at Trinity College, Oxford. His professional career encompassed several prominent leadership and directorial roles:

• Director at Trafford Park Estates from 1964 to 1977
• Board member of Royal Insurance between 1964 and 1982
• Director of Pye Holdings during 1967–1979
• Chairman of Barings Bank from 1974 until 1989, an institution established by his ancestor Francis Baring in 1762
• Participant in the annual gatherings of the Bilderberg Group
• Director at Dunlop Holdings from 1981 to 1984
• Board director of BP from 1982 to 1992, ascending to chairman from 1992 to 1995
• Director at the Bank of England between 1983 and 1991
• Director of Barings plc during the period 1985 to 1989

Death

Lord Ashburton passed away at his residence on 6 October 2020 at the age of 91. His title was inherited by his son, Mark.

Honours and arms

In recognition of his service, John Baring was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1980. He was knighted as a Knight Bachelor in 1983 and elevated to Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1990. Upon succeeding to the barony in 1991, he was further honoured as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter in 1994—a rare distinction shared with his father.