C. C. Roberts
Charles Collingwood Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 6, 1900 United Kingdom |
| Died | May 17, 1980 (aged 79) |
| Occupation | Business leader |
| Known for | Chairman of Butterfield & Swire, Unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong |
Charles Collingwood Roberts (6 July 1900 – 17 May 1980) was a British business leader, known for his role as chairman of Butterfield & Swire and as an unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
Biography
Roberts began his career at Butterfield and Swire in October 1922. He managed sugar exports from Shanghai between 1925 and 1926, supervised shore operations for the China Navigation Company in Hankow from 1926 to 1928, and directed Chinese personnel in Shanghai during 1932 to 1934. On 1 October 1932, he wed Constance May Mitchell at St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong.
During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, Roberts was confined in Block 8 of St. Stephen's College, Hong Kong, where he took part in the camp's administrative councils.
After World War II, Roberts became the inaugural chairman of Cathay Pacific Airways following its purchase by Butterfield & Swire and associated maritime enterprises in 1948. In 1950, alongside David F. Landale—taipan of Jardine Matheson and founder of Hong Kong Airways—he established the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company.
Roberts held the position of chairman at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in both 1948 and 1950. When R. D. Gillespie stepped down, Roberts was chosen by the chamber to serve on the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from May until August 1948, after which P. S. Cassidy took over.
Additionally, he acted as deputy chairman (1940–41) and served on the board of directors of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.