Brian Nicholas Harris is a British chartered surveyor and City of London figure. He spent most of his professional career with Richard Ellis Chartered Surveyors, serving as chairman from 1984 to 1993, and later held civic, commercial, cultural, and charitable roles, including Sheriff of the City of London in 1998–1999.
Background
Brian Nicholas Harris was born on December 12, 1931, in Wantage, United Kingdom, to Claude and Dorothy Harris. Wantage is a historic market town in Oxfordshire, whose civic and commercial life was shaped by its position in the Vale of White Horse.
Harris later built his career in London, where commercial property surveying, corporate institutions, livery companies, and the City of London's civic framework provided the principal setting for his professional and public activities.
Career
Harris began his professional career in 1953 as a surveyor with Central Bank Richard Ellis Chartered Surveyors in London, remaining there until 1961. Richard Ellis was a major British firm in commercial property surveying and agency; its later development into CB Richard Ellis reflected the consolidation of international real-estate services. Harris became a partner of Richard Ellis Chartered Surveyors in 1961 and remained associated with the firm through 1996, serving as chairman from 1984 to 1993. He subsequently worked as a consultant to Central Bank Richard Ellis from 1996.
Alongside his surveying career, Harris held commercial directorships and chairmanships. He chaired Priority Sites Limited from 2001 to 2003 and Bann System Limited from 2002. His company appointments also included involvement with organizations connected with education, business promotion, cultural property, and Britain–Australia relations.
Harris's public life developed in the City of London, the historic financial and civic center administered by the City of London Corporation. He represented the Broad Street Ward as a Common Councilman from 1996 and participated in the Corporation's planning and transportation, music and drama, police, education, and related committees. He was Sheriff-elect of the City of London for 1998–1999, a traditional civic office supporting the Lord Mayor and connected with the City's legal and ceremonial institutions.
He also contributed to commercial and international organizations. He served on the Australia New Zealand Trade Committee in London from 1991 to 2000, was a director of the London Chamber of Commerce, deputy president in 1994, and president from 1992 to 1994. He chaired the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 1998. His wider public and cultural activities included work connected with the Museum of London Docklands, Heathrow Airport, the Royal Opera, Glyndebourne, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Achievements
Harris combined a long career in commercial property surveying with senior leadership at Richard Ellis Chartered Surveyors, serving as the firm's chairman from 1984 to 1993.
He served as Sheriff of the City of London in 1998–1999 and represented the Broad Street Ward as a Common Councilman, contributing to the civic administration of the City of London.
He held senior leadership roles in the London Chamber of Commerce and the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, supporting commercial and international business links.
Membership
Harris participated in professional, commercial, civic, cultural, and livery organizations. His memberships included the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, the London Chamber of Commerce, the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, the British Chamber of Commerce, the International Court of Arbitration's joint consultative committee, and City of London organizations.
His City associations included the Broad Street Ward Club, the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass, the Guild of Freemen of the City of London, the Company of World Traders, the Flyfishers Club, and Tandridge Golf Club. He was also associated with the Friends of the Royal Opera, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Glyndebourne, and the Order of St. John.
Fellow.
Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
,
United Kingdom
Served as a director, deputy president in 1994, and president from 1992 to 1994.
London Chamber of Commerce
,
United Kingdom
1989 - 1996
Served as chairman from 1996 to 1998.
Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce
,
United Kingdom
1991 - 2000
Served on the board of directors and as deputy president in 1994.
British Chamber of Commerce
,
United Kingdom
Member of the joint consultative committee.
International Court of Arbitration
,
United Kingdom
Chairman of the building committee.
Museum of London Docklands
,
United Kingdom
Friends of the Royal Opera
,
United Kingdom
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
,
United Kingdom
Corporation member.
Glyndebourne
,
United Kingdom
Broad Street Ward Club
,
United Kingdom
Member of the Court of Assistants.
Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass
,
United Kingdom
Guild of Freemen of the City of London
,
United Kingdom
Company of World Traders
,
United Kingdom
Flyfishers Club
,
United Kingdom
Tandridge Golf Club
,
United Kingdom
Honorary proprietor and adviser.
Order of St. John
,
United Kingdom
Interests
Gardening.
Sport & Clubs
Golf and fly fishing.
Music & Bands
Opera.
Connections
Harris was the son of Claude Harris and Dorothy Harris. He married Rosalyn Marion Caines on March 18, 1961. They had two children, Suzanne Nicole Harris and Jennifer Ellen Harris.
