Sir John is Chair of the Midlands Engine Partnership and Midlands Connect, government-backed initiatives aimed at driving economic growth throughout the Midlands region in England. He is also Chair of data-analytics company Octo Telematics Ltd, Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, Commission Chair of the Local Government Association and Lord-Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire County Council.

Sir John was knighted in 2011 for services to the business and voluntary sector and became Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire in July 2012.