William Henry Bell (businessman)
William Henry Bell | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, government official |
| Known for | Leader of the Asiatic Petroleum Company; member of the Executive Council and Legislative Council of Hong Kong |
William Henry Bell served as the leader of the Asiatic Petroleum Company and was a member of both the Executive Council and the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
Biography
Bell advanced within the Asiatic Petroleum Company to oversee its activities in South China and the Philippines. He acted as the company's delegate to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, where he held the position of chairman in 1935. Additionally, he was a director for various public enterprises, including the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
His appointments to the Legislative Council occurred on several occasions: initially in May 1931 as a representative for Justices of Peace during Henry Pollock's absence, followed by further terms in April 1932 and April 1934. In 1935, Bell was chosen by the Chamber of Commerce to replace C. Gordon Mackie. The following year, he became a member of the Executive Council.
Bell contributed to multiple governmental committees such as the Harbour Board, Authorized Architects' Committee, Consulting Committee, and Licensing Board. In 1934, he was nominated to serve on the Court of the University of Hong Kong.
He stepped down from his Legislative Council role in July 1936 but continued his Executive Council duties until November before returning to England. His legislative service was commended by Governor Sir Andrew Caldecott and Legislative Council member John Johnstone Paterson. In November 1936, Bell left Hong Kong aboard the SS President Coolidge en route to America and England.
Bell's first wife, Dora Bell, passed away in November 1933. He remarried in 1935 to Helen Joyce Calkin, daughter of Walter L. Calkin from Walton-on-Thames, with their wedding taking place in Hong Kong.