Chris Grigg
Christopher Montague Grigg | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 6, 1959 United Kingdom |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, business executive |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Known for | Former CEO of The British Land Company plc, chairman of UK Infrastructure Bank, Chairman of Evelyn Partners |
Christopher Montague Grigg (born 6 July 1959) is a British entrepreneur and former CEO of The British Land Company plc, a prominent firm specializing in property development and investment.
Early life
Grigg received his education at King Edward VI School, Southampton and earned a first-class degree in Economics from Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
Career
Starting his professional journey in 1981 at Morgan Grenfell, Grigg moved to Goldman Sachs in 1985, where he rose to the position of partner before departing in 2005. He then took on the role of Treasurer at Barclays Bank and subsequently served as CEO of Barclays Commercial Bank from 2007 to 2008.
In January 2009, Grigg was appointed chief executive of British Land. During his tenure, he faced scrutiny over the decision to sell 50% stakes in the Broadgate development located in the City of London and the Meadowhall Centre in Sheffield. He justified these transactions as strategic measures aimed at enhancing the overall effectiveness of the company’s portfolio.
By 2012, Grigg championed a vision for London's office landscape to emulate Manhattan’s skyline, promoting larger and more adaptable office environments to better attract corporate tenants.
Grigg declared his intention to leave British Land in September 2020 and officially stepped down in December of the same year. In recognition of his contributions to business throughout the COVID-19 crisis, he was honored with the title Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2021 New Year Honours.
April 2021 saw Grigg appointed as chairman of the newly established UK Infrastructure Bank. He held a non-executive directorship at BAE Systems until December 2023 and has been serving as Chairman of Evelyn Partners since February 2022, having initially joined their board as a non-executive director in August 2021.
In June 2024, Grigg joined the board of Melrose Industries and is set to take over as chairman starting October 2024.
Personal life
Grigg lives in Harpenden, Hertfordshire with his wife and their five children.