Charles Hambro, Baron Hambro
Charles Hambro, Baron Hambro | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 24, 1930 |
| Died | November 7, 2002 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant banker, political fundraiser |
| Known for | Chairman of Hambros Bank (1972–1998), senior honorary treasurer for the Conservative Party (1993–1997) |
Charles Hambro, Baron Hambro (24 July 1930 – 7 November 2002) was a distinguished British merchant banker and political fundraiser. He led Hambros Bank as chairman from 1972 until its integration with Société Générale in 1998 and held the position of senior honorary treasurer for the Conservative Party between 1993 and 1997.
Early life
Born on 24 July 1930, Hambro was the descendant of the Hambros Bank founder, Carl Joachim Hambro, a Danish immigrant who established the bank in 1839. His father, Sir Charles Jocelyn Hambro, was also a merchant banker, while his mother, Pamela Cobbold of the East Anglian brewing family, passed away when he was just 21 months old. He spent his childhood at Delcombe Manor in Dorset.
After his mother’s death, Dorothy Mackay, formerly married to banker Marcus Wallenberg, became his stepmother. During World War II, Hambro resided with the Wallenberg family in Stockholm and subsequently with the Morgan banking family in New York City before returning to England in 1943.
He received his education at Eton College, where he was active in cricket, followed by two years of service in the Coldstream Guards.
Career
In 1952, Hambro embarked on his professional journey at the family firm, Hambros Bank. He rose to managing director by 1957, advanced to deputy chairman in 1965, and assumed the role of chairman in 1972. Under his leadership, the bank navigated challenging periods including the stock market and property downturn of 1973–74. Hambros Bank collaborated closely with the Bank of England to help stabilize financial markets during the collapse of Slater Walker. The bank was acquired by Société Générale in 1998 and now functions as SG Private Banking, its private wealth management division.
Between 1987 and 1999, Hambro served on the board of P&O, a major shipping and distribution company. He also held directorships at Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance and Taylor Woodrow.
Political activity
From 1993 until 1997, Hambro acted as senior honorary treasurer for the Conservative Party, overseeing the repayment of a £19 million overdraft. His efforts were honored with a life peerage in 1994, granting him the title Baron Hambro of Dixton and Dumbleton in Gloucestershire.
Other roles
He was a trustee on the board of the British Museum from 1984 through 1994.
Personal life
Hambro married Rose Evelyn Cotterell in 1954; they had three children before their divorce in 1976:
- Hon. Clare Evelyn Hambro (b. 1957), married Eivind Rabben
- Hon. Charles Edward Hambro (b. 1959), married Nicole J. Nicholas (later divorced)
- Hon. Alexander Robert Hambro (b. 1962), married Harriet Ward Jones
Later that same year, he wed Cherry Huggins, daughter of Sir John Huggins, former Governor of Jamaica; she had one daughter from a previous marriage. Hambro was grandfather to nine grandchildren.
He possessed two estates in Gloucestershire—Dixton Manor and Dumbleton Hall—where he hosted pheasant shooting events. A member of Marylebone Cricket Club, he also frequented the Bahamian Club in Nassau for gambling activities.
Death
He passed away in London on 7 November 2002.
External links
- 1930 births
- 2002 deaths
- Bankers from London
- People from Dumbleton
- People educated at Eton College
- Coldstream Guards officers
- British corporate directors
- Conservative Party (UK) life peers
- Conservative Party (UK) officials
- British people of Danish descent
- British people of German-Jewish descent
- Danish barons
- Hambro family
- 20th-century English businesspeople
- Life peers created by Elizabeth II