John Barton was the chairman of Ted Baker and the former chair of easyJet.
Ted Baker said that the businessman, who was appointed non-executive chairman of the troubled fashion retailer last year, died suddenly.
The chief executive of Ted Baker, who joined a month before Barton's appointment, said that John was a source of great wisdom for her and for many of us at Ted Baker. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his wife and family.
The 77-year-old stood down as chairman of easyJet last week, ending a nearly nine-year stint during which the airline had a lot of turmoil.
Barton weathered an attempted ousting by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the airline's founder and largest shareholder, who threatened to requisition a series of shareholder meetings after the coronaviruses hit easyJet.
Barton won the vote to oust him at the extraordinary general meeting.
The chief executive of easyJet said he was shocked and sad to hear of John's passing. I was very fortunate to have worked with him over the years and he helped me a lot.
He was liked and respected by everyone at the airline. We send our sympathies to John's family on behalf of all of his former colleagues at easyJet. He will be missed.
Stephen Hester, the former boss of Royal Bank of Scotland who took over from Barton as the chair of easyJet, said he was a wonderful human being.
Barton was on the board at Next for 15 years. He joined as a non-executive director in 2002 and became chairman in 2006 He retired from his job.
He is a senior independent director at the high street chain SSP, as well as a chair of the insurers Catlin and Cable & Wireless Worldwide.
Barton was educated at Gordonstoun school and went on to complete his masters degree at the University of Strathclyde. He was an accountant.
The senior independent director at Ted Baker said that John combined a generosity of spirit with insight, humility and humour. It was a pleasure to work with him and he was a great leader. Our hearts go out to his family.
