Alan Anderson (British public servant)

Sir Alan Garrett Anderson
Born	(1877-03-09) 9 March 1877 United Kingdom
Died	4 May 1952(1952-05-04) (aged 75)
Occupation(s)	Civil servant, politician, maritime entrepreneur
Years active	1897–1952
Known for	Admiralty controller during WWI; Deputy Governor of the Bank of England; Conservative MP for City of London; Chairman of Railway Executive during WWII

Sir Alan Garrett Anderson (9 March 1877 – 4 May 1952) was a distinguished British civil servant, politician, and maritime entrepreneur.

Early life and career

Alan Anderson was born in 1877 to James George Skelton Anderson and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, inheriting a notable heritage in shipping. His father, a prominent figure in the shipping industry, consolidated the family firm, Anderson, Anderson & Co., with Frederick Green & Co. in 1878, resulting in the establishment of the Orient Steam Navigation Company. His mother was a pioneering figure as the first British woman to obtain a medical qualification in England. Alan was one of three siblings; his sister Louisa Garrett Anderson also gained recognition as a leading physician who managed a military hospital during World War I.

Educated at Eton College followed by Trinity College, Oxford, Anderson entered the family shipping enterprise in 1897. Broadening his professional scope, he secured a directorship at the Midland Railway in 1911 and continued in this capacity after its 1923 amalgamation into the London, Midland & Scottish Railway, thereby integrating his expertise across both maritime and rail transportation industries.

First World War

During the First World War, Anderson utilized his international commercial acumen as vice-chairman of the Royal Commission overseeing wheat allocation, coordinating supplies for Great Britain’s western allies. Collaborating closely with the United States—initially under Walter Runciman—and following America’s entry into the conflict, he assisted in promoting wheat sales within the US and Canadian markets alongside Arthur Balfour.

In 1917, Anderson succeeded Eric Geddes as Admiralty controller, becoming among the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. His responsibilities encompassed supervising construction and repair efforts for both Royal and Merchant navies amid severe submarine warfare losses. Geddes had previously set high production objectives that proved unfeasible due to shortages of materials and labor. Anderson encountered friction with military personnel, notably expressing criticism of recruitment strategies in November 1917 and urging increased engagement with shipbuilding communities. He stepped down in 1918 when merchant shipbuilding duties were reassigned within the Admiralty.

Despite these difficulties, Anderson earned considerable recognition: he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1917 and was decorated as an Officer of both the Légion d'honneur and the Order of the Crown of Italy for his wartime services.

Post-war career

Following the war, Anderson expanded his role within financial institutions. Although his banking experience was limited, he served on the Bank of England’s board from 1918 until 1946 and held the position of deputy governor under Sir Montagu Norman between 1925 and 1926. In 1924, acting as deputy governor-designate, he accompanied Norman to New York to evaluate reinstating the gold standard. He also presided over the International Chamber of Commerce congress in 1927, where he championed reductions in tariffs. From 1927 through 1952, Anderson held a directorship at the Suez Canal Company.

His maritime interests continued to develop. The Orient Steam Navigation Company—jointly managed by Anderson, Anderson & Co. and Frederick Green & Co. since its inception in 1878—came under majority ownership by P&O in 1919. Subsequently, Anderson, Anderson & Co. merged with F. Green & Co., forming Anderson, Green & Co., while Anderson secured board memberships at both P&O and the British-India Steam Navigation Company, working alongside James Mackay, 1st Earl of Inchcape.

Anderson remained engaged in public service through chairing government inquiries concerning naval officer education and civil service remuneration, as well as participating on a royal commission addressing national debt issues. He maintained involvement with the hospital bearing his mother’s name—recorded as a freehold proprietor in 1923—and continued support for both the London School of Medicine for Women and the Royal Free Hospital, institutions founded with his mother’s assistance.

In recognition of his service, he received an honorary commission as a captain in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1930 and was elevated to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) during the 1934 Birthday Honours.

Parliamentary Career and World War II Contributions

In 1935, Anderson secured a seat as a Conservative MP representing the City of London by winning a by-election in June, followed by a successful defense of his seat in the general election held that November. He stepped down from Parliament in 1940 to dedicate himself fully to wartime responsibilities. After the 1938 Munich Crisis, the British Ministry of Food appointed him as chairman of the Cereals Control Board. Later, in August 1941, Anderson took on the role of Controller of Railways and led the Railway Executive as its chairman. Additionally, he held the honorary position of Colonel for a Territorial Army battalion within the Gloucestershire Regiment until 1949, after which he retained this honorary rank.

Family and Personal Details

On 9 June 1903, Anderson married Muriel Ivy Duncan from Surrey. Together, they had four children, among whom Donald Forsyth Anderson and Colin Skelton Anderson pursued careers in the shipping sector. Anderson passed away on 4 May 1952.

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