Sir Arthur Hetherington
Encyclopedia
Arthur Ford Hetherington (12 July 1911–16 February 2002) was the first Chairman of British Gas Corporation
.
Hetherington was born in Highgate
, London
, the son of Roger Gaskell Hetherington
, and went to Highgate School
. He studied Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge
and married Margaret Lacey on 19 July 1937. They had two children.
During the Second World War he served in the Fleet Air Arm
and was awarded the DSC
. After the war, he joined the gas industry, rising to Chairman of the Southern Gas Board. With the advent of North Sea Gas, he moved to the East Midlands Gas Board to manage the introduction of natural gas
to British industry and domestic consumers.
Along with Denis Rooke
and Sir Henry Jones of the Gas Council, he was then responsible for combining the Gas Council and 12 separate gas boards into the British Gas Corporation
in 1973.
He was knighted in 1974 and was one of the founding Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering
. He was also Chairman of the British Standards Institute.
On the 19th July 1937 he married Margaret, the only daughter of Stephen Lacey and his wife Edith Hannay. The Lacey's had been in the gas industry for two generations. They had one son and one daughter.
He died 16 February 2002 at his home in Connaught Square
, Westminster
, London.
British Gas plc
British Gas plc was formerly the monopoly gas supplier and is a private sector in the United Kingdom.- History :In the early 1900s the gas market in the United Kingdom was mainly run by county councils and small private firms...
.
Hetherington was born in Highgate
Highgate
Highgate is an area of North London on the north-eastern corner of Hampstead Heath.Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has an active conservation body, the Highgate Society, to protect its character....
, 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...
, the son of Roger Gaskell Hetherington
Roger Gaskell Hetherington
Sir Roger Gaskell Hetherington CB, OBE was a British civil engineer and civil servant.-Life:Roger Gaskell Hetherington was born in Sherborne, Dorset on the 10th February 1876, the eldest son of William Lonsdale Hetherington and his wife Mary Gaskell, daughter of John Dakin Gaskell, a barrister of...
, and went to Highgate School
Highgate School
-Notable members of staff and governing body:* John Ireton, brother of Henry Ireton, Cromwellian General* 1st Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice, owner of Kenwood, noted for judgment finding contracts for slavery unenforceable in English law* T. S...
. He studied Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
and married Margaret Lacey on 19 July 1937. They had two children.
During the Second World War he served in the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
and was awarded the DSC
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
. After the war, he joined the gas industry, rising to Chairman of the Southern Gas Board. With the advent of North Sea Gas, he moved to the East Midlands Gas Board to manage the introduction of natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
to British industry and domestic consumers.
Along with Denis Rooke
Denis Rooke
Sir Denis Eric Rooke, OM, CBE, FRS, FREng was a British industrialist and engineer.-Personal life:Rooke was born in New Cross, London, the younger son of F. G. Rooke. He studied Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at University College London, then served in REME until 1949, attaining...
and Sir Henry Jones of the Gas Council, he was then responsible for combining the Gas Council and 12 separate gas boards into the British Gas Corporation
British Gas plc
British Gas plc was formerly the monopoly gas supplier and is a private sector in the United Kingdom.- History :In the early 1900s the gas market in the United Kingdom was mainly run by county councils and small private firms...
in 1973.
He was knighted in 1974 and was one of the founding Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Academy of Engineering
-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
. He was also Chairman of the British Standards Institute.
On the 19th July 1937 he married Margaret, the only daughter of Stephen Lacey and his wife Edith Hannay. The Lacey's had been in the gas industry for two generations. They had one son and one daughter.
He died 16 February 2002 at his home in Connaught Square
Connaught Square
Connaught Square, in the City of Westminster , was the first square of city houses to be built in the Bayswater area. It was named after the Duke of Gloucester , who had a house nearby. The current appearance of the square dates from the 1820s. The square is just north of Hyde Park, and to the west...
, Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
, London.