Herren was educated at Regent Street Polytechnic and London University. He served in the war and attained the rank of colonel. Herren worked at Shepperton General Studios then joined Pinewood Studios as assistant general manager in 1957. He succeeded Spencer Reis as general manager in 1959 and became managing director in 1966.
In March 1966 Rank announced it would make nine films with a total cost of £7.5 million of which it would provide £4 million. Two films were financed by Rank completely, a Norman Wisdom movie and a "doctor" comedy (Doctor on Toast which became Doctor in Trouble). The others were The Quiller Memorandum, Deadlier than the Male, Maroc 7, The Red Hot Ferrari (never made), The Fifth Coin (never made), The Battle of Britain and The Long Duel.[6]
In 1967 Herren became managing director of Rank Film Productions, the main production arm of Rank.[7]
Herren died at his home in Buckinghamshire, aged 59 while still manager of Pinewood. He was replaced by Cyril Howard.[8]