STERLING, SIR JEFFREY, BARON STERLING OF PLAISTOW

STERLING, SIR JEFFREY, BARON STERLING OF PLAISTOW (1934– ), British businessman. Sterling was educated at Reigate Grammar School and the Guildhall School of Music but became a stockbroker and established an investment house, the Sterling Guarantee Trust Company. He became a director of P. & O., one of Britain's oldest and most famous shipping lines, in 1980, and its chairman from 1983. He was instrumental in developing its cruise ship business and spearheaded the revival of sea cruises from the last few decades of the 20th century through P. & O. Cruises, which he headed. Sterling was chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Weekend Trust, responsible for the celebrations marking the British monarch's 50th year on the throne in 2002. He has been active in Jewish affairs and was chairman of World ORT in 1969–73. He was knighted in 1985 and received a life peerage in 1991. (William D. Rubinstein (2nd ed.)