Simon Hornby

Sir Simon Michael Hornby (29 December 1934 – 17 July 2010) was a British businessman. He was chairman of WHSmith, the British retail chain, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Design Council. He founded the National Literacy Trust.

Early life Simon Michael Hornby was born on 29 December 1934 in London. He was the son of Michael Hornby and grandson of St John Hornby. He grew up on his father's estate at Pusey House in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) and was educated at Eton College, New College, Oxford and Harvard Business School. He served in the Grenadier Guards as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1953 to 1955.

Career Hornby followed his father and grandfather on to the board of WHSmith, becoming Chairman in 1982. During his chairmanship the company acquired the Our Price records chain and the Paperchase stationery chain. They developed the Do It All DIY superstores and took a half-share in the Richard Branson created Virgin Megastores. Hornby also oversaw the acquisition of rival booksellers Waterstone's from former WHSmith manager, Tim Waterstone.