RAYNE, SIR MAX, BARON

RAYNE, SIR MAX, BARON (1918–2003), British businessman and financier. The son of a tailor in London's East End, Rayne was educated at University College London and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Rayne was was one of the most successful of post-World War II property developers and was chairman from 1961 of the property company London Merchant Securities. He was also chairman or director of other property and industrial companies. Rayne was active in support for the arts as a governor of the Royal Ballet School, chairman of its London Trust (1967–75) and of the National Theatre Board from 1971 to 1988. His support for medical work included the post of special trustee of St. Thomas's Hospital. He was an honorary vice president of the (London) Jewish Welfare Board and served on other bodies concerned with social service, including the King Edward VII Hospital Fund for London and St. Thomas's Medical School. Rayne was knighted in 1969 and created a life peer in 1976. In 1962 he established the Rayne Foundation, a charity devoted to helping the disadvantaged, the arts, and education. (Vivian David Lipman)