Sir John Hannam: key obituary facts
Is Sir John Hannam dead? Yes. Sir John Hannam died on October 8, 2026, at age 97.
Cause of death: Sir John Hannam's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Sir John Hannam known for?
He was an English politician (born 1929).
More about Sir John Hannam
Born: 2 August 1929.
Gender: male.
Occupation: politician.
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Education: Yeovil School.
Awards: Knight Bachelor, honorary master's degree.
Also known as: Sir John Gordon Hannam.
Sir John Hannam, the British Conservative politician who represented Exeter in Parliament from 1970 until his retirement in 1997, died October 8, 2026, aged 97.
Born Sir John Gordon Hannam on August 2, 1929, he attended Yeovil Grammar School, where he matriculated. He completed National Service in the Middle East and later served in the Territorial Army.
Hannam built a business in tourism and hotels in the West Country, and his experience sustained an interest in small businesses during his parliamentary career. His public work in tourism included service as a member of the English Tourist Board and as president of the British Motels Federation from 1967 to 1980. A keen sportsman, he played hockey and tennis for Somerset and won the county’s singles championship in 1953. He later captained the Lords and Commons tennis and ski teams in Parliament. Hannam was the last Conservative MP for Exeter, a position he held for 27 years before retiring in 1997. His career brought together parliamentary service and an established interest in tourism, hotels and small businesses in the West Country.