College of benefactors 2010-11

Ian Henderson

Saturday 17 July 2:30pm

 Ian Henderson was born in London in 1933 and was educated at Chigwell School and Wadham College Oxford, where he read Mathematics. He served for a spell with the Royal Navy, and ultimately completed his actuarial examinations. In 1960, Ian joined Norwich Union, marking the beginning of a successful career in the insurance and finance industries. In 1986, he founded the Exeter Investment Group, holding the position of Chief Executive until his retirement in 1999. He remained as non-executive Director until 2004. Ian was appointed non-executive Chairman of Hawksmoor Investment Group on its inception in 2007, retiring from this role in 2010.

Ian has been a long-standing and committed supporter of the University of Exeter, serving for eight years as a member of the University’s Council as well as chairing the University of Exeter Retirement Benefits Scheme. In 2008 Ian was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Exeter in recognition of his outstanding service to the University.

A generous philanthropist, Ian contributes to a number of local charities and in 2001 made an outstanding gift of £2.9 million to the University. This enabled the Business School to expand by creating a new, state-of-the-art building to house its Centre for Finance and Investment, Xfi, which opened in 2004. The Henderson Lecture Theatre, within the building, commemorates Ian’s support.