User:DominicSayers/UnderConstruction/Kleinwort Benson

Robert Benson Lonsdale
In 1947, Robert Benson & Co. merged with Lonsdale Investment Trust to form Robert Benson Lonsdale. This move doubled the bank's capital base to £800,000 and enabled it to participate in larger deals. The Benson family interest in the group was watered down to 27% (the Lonsdale family owned 63%), but operational control of bank remained with its Chairman Rex Benson.

Rising star Mark Turner, who was the manager of Benson's subsidiary Kenterne, was seconded to Rio Tinto (then a small mining concern) in 1946 as Managing Director and set in place its expansion plans. He remained as Finance Director of Rio Tinto as it expanded rapidly to become Rio Tinto Zinc but returned to Robert Benson & Co. in 1947. He lost out to Phil MacPherson when Rex Benson retired as Chairman in ? but xxxxxxxxxx

Kleinwort Benson Limited
Kleinwort Benson Lonsdale Limited

Kleinwort Benson Group PLC (1989)

Deals
RB & Co / 1949 / Financed the building of Morphy Richards first factory

RB & Co / 1955 / Raised £5m for start-up Associated Television Limited (ATV)

RB & Co / 1953-1957 / Junior partner in denationalisation of British steel industry

Privatisations, flotations and other major deals
British Gas

Eurotunnel

Orange