Name Chris Barber Role Philanthropist | Died July 8, 2012 | |
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Christopher Bayldon "Chris" Barber (19 March 1921 – 8 July 2012) was a British Quaker businessman and was the Chairman of Oxfam from 1983 to 1989. He was educated at Bootham School, York.
Contents
- The big chris barber band jazzwoche burghausen 2005
- Six five special chris barber ottilie patterson
- War
- The Biscuits business
- Famine relief
- Quaker activities
- Other activities
- Writings
- References
Six five special chris barber ottilie patterson
War
As a Quaker, 18-year-old Chris Barber, was opposed to war and chose to join the Friends Ambulance Unit before he was called up. He faced a Conscientious Objector Tribunal, refusing to seek favourable treatment by declaring himself a Quaker. He was, however, permitted to join the FAU, with whom he worked until 1947. His service included a period of war relief work in China.
The Biscuits business
When he returned, he trained as an accountant and joined the family firm, Jacob's Biscuits, in 1949. By innovations, mergers and acquisitions, the firm grew to become Huntley & Palmer then Associated Biscuits and he rose to be Finance Director. He retired in 1980.
Famine relief
In 1980, he had joined the Board of Trustees of Oxfam. In 1983, he became its Chair, in which role, he served until 1989. "Oxfam grew dramatically and, in his role as chairman, Chris was keen to ensure that the extra donations were used well, not just to tackle famine but to ensure sustainable development thereafter. His was a wise and compassionate hand on the tiller."
He was a "hands-on" Chair and was deeply concerned with Oxfam's decision, in November 1985, to close its bank account at Barclays Bank because of Barclays involvement with the South African Apartheid regime. He travelled to South America, India and Sudan and sorted out a diplomatic disaster in Cambodia. Long after his retirement, he could be found, helping out, at the Oxfam bookshop in Henley.
Quaker activities
Chris Barber and his wife, Anne had met at their Quaker schools in York. They married in January 1952. Both were active in local, regional and national Quaker activities. Chris, among other roles, was Chairman of the Social Responsibility Council, 1970 – 1972; Clerk of Quaker Social Responsibility and education, 1979 – 1981. He served on Quaker Peace and Service Central Committee from 1993 to 1998
Other activities
The obituary in The Henley Standard said:
". . . he was known for organising treasure hunts on and around Peppard Common and many other activities involving local families. For several years he organised a hockey match at New Year on a field near the Dog in Peppard with 20 or 30 people, from small children to ageing grandparents, on each side and no referee! Fortunately, the games were all played in good spirit and there were no injuries. On one occasion, the match was played in deep snow.".
Writings
These items are listed on the catalogue of Friends House Library, London. This list is in date order: