John O. Lyle (1918–1985) was a British businessman who was executive chairman of the British sugar group Tate & Lyle from 1964 to 1978.
Early life and education
The son of Oliver Lyle and Lilian Isabel (née Spicer), John Lyle attended Uppingham School and Clare College, Cambridge. During World War II, he trained as a fighter pilot and was promoted as Second Lieutenant in June 1940,[1] joining No. 234 Squadron RAF,[2] which re-equipped with Spitfires the same year.
Career
Lyle joined the family sugar firm in 1945,[2] working initially at the firm's Plaistow refinery in east London before moving to the Tate & Lyle head office in 1949, and joining the firm's board in 1951.