Sir John Madejski OBE DL

Sir John Madejski OBE DL, was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, in 1941. In 1976, he founded the Thames Valley Trader, now known as Auto Trader. In 1998 he sold his company Hurst Publishing for £174 million. Sir John became chairman of Reading F.C. in 1990, and has given his name to the club's Madejski Stadium.

In 2006 he led the Royals to the Premiership for the first time in their 135-year history. He is also a benefactor to the Royal Academy of Arts, while the John Madejski Centre for Reputation at Henley Management College, the new garden at the Victoria and Albert Museum, a lecture theatre at the University itself and a gallery at the Museum of Reading also bear his name. Most recently, he helped fund the John Madejski Academy in Whitley, a secondary school striving to provide young people of Reading with a new type of creative learning environment. In 2000 Sir John was awarded the OBE in "recognition of his contribution to Reading Football Club and the Reading community".

He is also Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire. In 2006 he was admitted as a Freeman of the Borough "in recognition of the distinguished service rendered to the Borough of Reading, by his contribution to the growth and success of football in Reading, and by his support for education and arts".

Sir John was granted a knighthood in the 2009 Queen's New Year Honours list. He received his honour for his services to charity.

Sir John was formally installed as the Chancellor of the University of Reading on 14 December 2007.