Christopher came to Tonbridge via Winchester College and New College, Oxford, the Grenadier Guards, the Diplomatic Service (including posts in Beirut and Washington) and having been Headmaster of Worksop College for five years.

During his time at Tonbridge, Christopher oversaw the acquisition of the Lower Playing Fields and the introduction of block fixtures for sport.  School House was redeveloped on its current site, providing wonderful new boarding accommodation and enabling the expansion of teaching space at the heart of the School. Christopher was magnificent in rallying the community after the impact of the hurricane in 1987 and the devastation of the Chapel fire the following year.  He was also a great supporter of music, generously commissioning a number of works for the Chapel Choir and Orchestra. 

Christopher was made CBE in 1988 and, when he left Tonbridge, became Director of the Daiwa Foundation, an organisation which promoted educational and cultural links between the UK and Japan.  He continued to take an active interest in the School as a member of the Court and as Master of the Worshipful Company of Skinners.  He served as Honorary President of the Old Tonbridgian Society in 2017-18.

Christopher was an extraordinary individual and an inspiration as Head.  He and his wife, Billy, who died in December 2022, made an enormous contribution to the life and community of the School. He will be deeply missed, I know, by both the School and by the Company.  

There will be an opportunity to celebrate Christopher’s life and achievement in the coming months and we will let you know about arrangements. At this stage the thoughts of all at the School are with Christopher's family and friends.

If you wish to send a note to Christopher's family you are most welcome to send it to the Tonbridge Society and we will pass your message on.  

Email us at: tonbridgesociety@tonbridge-school.org 

Write to us at: Tonbridge Society, Tonbridge School, High Street, Tonbridge, Kent. TN9 1JP