David Montagu, 4th Baron Swaythling
Encyclopedia
David Charles Samuel Montagu, 4th Baron Swaythling (6 August 1928, Westminster
-1 July 1998, London
of leukaemia) was a British peer who held prominent positions in a number of notable British companies. A photograph of him was commissioned by Godfrey Argent for the National Portrait Gallery in 1969.
and Mary Violet Levy. His parents divorced in 1942, and David lived with his mother and her second husband. David married Christiane Françoise Dreyfus on 14 December 1951, and they had three children: Fiona Yvonne Montagu, Charles Edgar Samuel Montagu
and Nicole Mary Montagu.
from 1988 until his death. In 1990 he became a member of the Board of Banking Supervision of the Bank of England
, a position which he held until 1996. He was also a director of London Weekend Television
for 21 years and a director of The Daily Telegraph
between 1985 and 1996. He also became chairman of his family's banking firm, Samuel Montagu & Co, by the time he was 41 years old, in 1970, having become a director of the firm in 1954. In 1973, the firm was bought out by the Midland Bank
, and David declined the post of non-executive chairman that he had been offered.
As a peer
, he took his seat in the House of Lords
, with his chief interests being matters relating to dairy farming and road safety. Regarding the latter, he piloted the bill
which made rear lights obligatory on bicycle
s.
.
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
-1 July 1998, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
of leukaemia) was a British peer who held prominent positions in a number of notable British companies. A photograph of him was commissioned by Godfrey Argent for the National Portrait Gallery in 1969.
Family life
David was the son of Stuart Montagu, 3rd Baron Swaythling OBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
and Mary Violet Levy. His parents divorced in 1942, and David lived with his mother and her second husband. David married Christiane Françoise Dreyfus on 14 December 1951, and they had three children: Fiona Yvonne Montagu, Charles Edgar Samuel Montagu
Charles Montagu, 5th Baron Swaythling
Charles Edgar Samuel Montagu, 5th Baron Swaythling is the fifth Baron Swaythling. He is the middle child but only son of David Montagu, 4th Baron Swaythling and Christiane Françoise Dreyfus...
and Nicole Mary Montagu.
Career
David Montagu held prominent positions in several notable companies. He was chairman and chief executive of Orion Bank from 1974 to 1979, director of J. Rothschild Holdings from 1983 to 1989, and chairman of Rothmans International plcRothmans International plc
Rothmans International plc was a British tobacco manufacturer. Its brands included Rothmans and Dunhill. Its international headquarters were in Hill Street, London and its international operations were run from Denham Place, Denham Village in Buckinghamshire...
from 1988 until his death. In 1990 he became a member of the Board of Banking Supervision of the Bank of England
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
, a position which he held until 1996. He was also a director of London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
for 21 years and a director of The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
between 1985 and 1996. He also became chairman of his family's banking firm, Samuel Montagu & Co, by the time he was 41 years old, in 1970, having become a director of the firm in 1954. In 1973, the firm was bought out by the Midland Bank
Midland Bank
Midland Bank Plc was one of the Big Four banking groups in the United Kingdom for most of the 20th century. It is now part of HSBC. The bank was founded as the Birmingham and Midland Bank in Union Street, Birmingham, England in August 1836...
, and David declined the post of non-executive chairman that he had been offered.
As a peer
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
, he took his seat in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
, with his chief interests being matters relating to dairy farming and road safety. Regarding the latter, he piloted the bill
Bill (proposed law)
A bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act or a statute....
which made rear lights obligatory on bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
s.
Other interests
David was recorded as having several other interests, including involvement with a number of charities (often within the Jewish community). He was also a founder member of the British Horse Racing Board and supported the Royal National TheatreRoyal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
.