John Benger Explained

Honorific Prefix:Sir
John Benger
Office:Master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Order:40th
Predecessor:Sir Mark Welland
Term Start:1 October 2023
Order1:51st
Office1:Clerk of the House of Commons
Term Start1:1 March 2019
Term End1:1 October 2023
Predecessor1:Sir David Natzler
Successor1:Tom Goldsmith
Birth Name:John Stuart Benger
Birth Date:18 November 1959
Birth Place:Stockport, England
Education:Stockport Grammar School
Alma Mater:
Children:2

Sir John Stuart Benger (born 18 November 1959) is a British civil servant. He has served as Master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, since October 2023. He previously served as Clerk of the House of Commons, the principal constitutional adviser to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, and adviser on all its procedure and business, from 2019 to 2023.

Early life and education

John Stuart Benger was born on 18 November 1959 in Stockport to Kurt Benger and Marian Benger . He studied at Stockport Grammar School and attended St Catharine's College, Cambridge,[1] where he read English and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Benger later studied at Worcester College, Oxford, where he earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in 1983, and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree in 1989, with a doctoral thesis on "the authority of writer and text in radical Protestant literature, 1540 to 1593, with particular reference to the Marprelate tracts".[2]

Career

Benger joined the staff of the House of Commons in 1986, working in procedural and committee posts, and became a clerk in 1990. He was appointed the 51st clerk of the House of Commons and succeeded Sir David Natzler on 1 March 2019 upon his retirement.[3] [4]

In February 2023, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, announced Benger's resignation in the autumn to become the 40th master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, his alma mater. He succeeded Sir Mark Welland in the role on 1 October 2023.[5] [6]

Personal life

Benger married Susan Elizabeth Irvine in 1986 and has two sons. He is a supporter of the association football club Manchester United.

Honours

Benger was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to Parliament.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: St Catharine’s Alumnus Appointed New House of Commons Clerk . St Catharine's college . 27 February 2019.
  2. Web site: The authority of writer and text in radical protestant literature 1540 to 1593 with particular reference to the Marprelate tracts . E-Thesis Online Service . The British Library Board . 31 December 2022 . 1989.
  3. News: John Benger promoted to clerk of the House of Commons . 27 February 2019 . BBC News . 5 February 2019.
  4. Web site: Dr John Benger appointed as Clerk of the House of Commons . 5 February 2019 . UK Parliament . 20 March 2023.
  5. Web site: The Speaker of the House of Commons announces Sir John Benger's move to St Catharine's College . YouTube . 8 February 2023 . 8 February 2023.
  6. Web site: Sir John Benger elected 40th Master of St Catharine's . St Catherine's College, Cambridge . 8 February 2023 . 8 February 2023.