Christopher John Benson

Background

Benson, Christopher was born on July 20, 1933 in Wheaton Aston. Son of Charles Woodburn and Catherine Clara (Bishton) Benson.

Education

Student, Worcester Cathedral King's School. Student, Thames Nautical Training College.

Career

Chartered surveyor, agricultural auctioneer, Worcester, other cities, 1953-1964. Director Arndale Development Ltd., 1965-1969. Chairman Dolphin Development Ltd., 1969-1971, Dolphin Farms, Ltd., since 1969, Dolphin Property Ltd., since 1969.

Assistant managing director Law Land Company Ltd., 1972-1974. Managing director MEPC, 1976-1988, chairman, 1988-1993. Director Costain plc, since 1988, deputy chairman, 1992-1993, chairman, 1993-1996.

Director GVA Grimley, since 1999. Director Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc, 1988, vice-chair 1991, deputy chairman 1992, chairman 1993-1996. Deputy chairman Thorn Lighting Group, since 1994.

Chairman Albright & Wilson, since 1995. Underwriting member Lloyd's, since 1979. Director House of Fraser plc, 1982-1986.

President British Property Federation, 1981-1983. Chairman London Docklands Development Corporation, 1984-1988, Reedpack Ltd., 1989-1990, Housing Corporation, 1990-1994, Boots Company plc, 1990-1994, director 1989, director GVA Grimley, since 1999.

Membership

Chairman Games for Good Causes plc, 1993-1994, Funding Agency for Schools, 1994-1997, Civic Trust, 1985-1990. Trustee, member Metro. Polic Museum, since 1986.

Director Royal Opera House, 1984-1992. Vice president Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund, since 1991. Lay governor London Hospital Medical College, 1993-1995.

Freeman City of London, 1975. Member council Marlborough College, 1982-1990. Chairman development board Macmillan Cancer Relief, since 1995.

Fellow Royal College Pathology (honorary), Royal Institute Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institute Building, Wolfson College. Member Middle Temple (honorary bencher 1984), Company Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wire Drawers (liveryman 1975), Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (liveryman), National Deaf Children's Society (president since 1995).

Interests

• Farming, aviation, opera, ballet, flying.

Connections

Married Margaret Josephine Bundy, 1960. 2 children.

Father:

Charles Woodburn Benson

Mother:

Catherine Clara (Bishton) Benson

Spouse:

Margaret Josephine Bundy