Derek Bonham 1943 - 2007

It is with great sadness that the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers report the death of their Master, Derek Bonham. Derek died peacefully in University College Hospital on Monday evening, 3rd September, having fought cancer with incredible focus, resolve and determination.  In his year as Master he only missed a few events and completed all his duties with enormous bravery, even though he was, at times, in great pain.  He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers for the livery year 2006/7.

A Memorial Service for Derek will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 11.30 a.m. at St Paul’s Church, Wilton Place, SW1 followed by a reception at the Berkeley.

Derek Bonham with his wife, Dicky.

He joined Hanson PLC in 1971 becoming Finance Director in 1981.  He was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1992 and, additionally, Deputy Chairman in 1993.  On the demerger of Hanson, he became Chairman of Imperial Tobacco Group PLC in 1996 and The Energy Group PLC in 1997.  Following the takeover of The Energy Group by Texas Utilities Company (TXU) in 1998, he was elected a director of TXU Corporation from which he resigned in 2005.

He continued as Chairman of Imperial Tobacco as well as being an advisor to Warburg Pincus International LLC and GSC Partners LLP.

Derek Bonham served as Chairman of Songbird Estates plc (owner of the Canary Wharf Estate) from 2004-05;  as Chairman of CamAxys Group plc from 1998-2005;   as Chairman of Cadbury Schweppes plc from 2000-2003;  as a non-executive director of Marconi plc from 2001-2003 (serving as interim Chairman from September 2001 to December 2002);  as Deputy Chairman of Newsquest plc (1997-99) and a non-executive director of Glaxo Wellcome/Glaxo Smithkline plc (1995-2001) and U.S. Industries Inc (1995-96).

He was a past member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (USA) and The Accounting Standards Committee (UK).

Derek’s year as Master was due to finish on 5 October.