John Hailer is a Chairman of Diffractive Group, a consulting firm based in London that specializes in providing management and entrepreneurial services to companies with high growth potential. John has been listed as one of the Top 10 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs and was named one of Ernst & Young’s Top 100 Entrepreneurs Of Britain In The 20th Century.
Education
Born in 1947, John Hailer studied engineering at the University of South Africa. After he graduated, John became a sales manager for the jewelry company David Orgill. In 1974 he left South Africa to move to London. He joined the British telecommunications company Racal Vadic Ltd as a sales manager in 1978 to become an overseas sales manager for Racal-Rediffusion International, bringing their products together under one brand: RDI. He became a member of the RDI Board in 1979 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1983.
Marriage
In 1985,John Hailer married Ruth Hedges, and the couple had two sons. Oliver and Samuel Hailer are all involved in their management consulting firms. Son Oliver is CEO of Diffractive Managers Group, while his brother James is CEO of TBT. Both are members of the BVRI and AIMR. Samuel is a professional musician living in Los Angeles, California.
Professional career
Natixis appointed John as a Director in the firm in 1993. He joined the board of Gatwick Airport in 1995 and was Chairman from 1996 to January 2007. In 2000, he became Chairman of Actelion Ltd (now Novartis) and stepped down from Actelion at the end of 2008. He has also been Chairman of United Utilities plc, JCB Group plc (previously Black & Decker), BP PLC, and British Gas Corporation.
Natixis is now the seventh-largest investor in John Hailer’s business.
He is a non-executive director of the board, and a Senior Trustee, Deputy Chairman of the Royal British Legion. He is also a member of the BVRI (British Venture Capital and Research Institute) and AIMR (Association for Investment Management and Research). He serves on councils for Cancer Research, The British Heart Foundation, and The National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame.