John Page (banker)

John Brangwyn Page
Page in a Bank of England portrait photograph
Born(1923-08-23)August 23, 1923
DiedFebruary 2, 2005(2005-02-02) (aged 81)
EducationHighgate School
Alma materKing's College, Cambridge
OccupationBanker
EmployerBank of England
Known forChief Cashier of the Bank of England (1970–1980)
SpouseGloria Vail
Children2

John Brangwyn Page (died 2 February 2005)[1] was a British banking executive who served as the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England from 1970 to 1980.[2] The signature of the Chief Cashier appears on British banknotes. Page was replaced as Chief Cashier by David Somerset.[3]

While at the bank, Page advised on the financing of the Channel Tunnel.[4]

Early life and education

Page was born on 23 August 1923 and grew up in Highgate, where he attended Highgate School.[5] He began studying at King's College, Cambridge in 1941, but his studies were interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Royal Air Force and flew Spitfires.[5] He returned to Cambridge after the war, switched to economics, and graduated in 1948.[5]

Career

Bank of England

Page spent most of his professional life at the Bank of England, with a period seconded to the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. (1953–1956).[5] He was appointed Chief Cashier in 1970 and served until 1980, when he was succeeded by David Somerset.[3]

In the same period, Page advised on financing aspects of the Channel Tunnel.[6]

At the end of the 1970s, the Bank’s structure was revised and the office of Chief Cashier was removed. Page remained as an executive director and retired in 1982.[5][7]

Later appointments

After leaving the Bank of England, Page served as chairman of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and held directorships at Standard Chartered and the Nationwide Building Society.[5]

Personal life and death

In 1948, Page married Gloria Vail, with whom he had two children.[5] He died on 2 February 2005.[5]

References

  1. ^ "John Page". The Times. 11 February 2005. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  2. ^ Dow, J. Christopher R.; Dow, Christopher; Taylor, Christopher; Hacche, Graham (4 January 2013). Inside the Bank of England: Memoirs of Christopher Dow, Chief Economist 1973-84. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137032300.
  3. ^ a b Chief Cashiers. Archived 24 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine Bank of England. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  4. ^ Gourvish, Terry (27 September 2006). The Official History of Britain and the Channel Tunnel. Routledge. ISBN 9781134165445.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Part 2: Obituaries (includes entry for John Brangwyn Page)". King's College, University of Cambridge. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  6. ^ Gourvish, Terry (2006). The Official History of Britain and the Channel Tunnel. Routledge. ISBN 9781134165445.
  7. ^ "C147 – Papers of John Brangwyn Page". Bank of England Archive catalogue. Retrieved 3 January 2026.