Mark Henig
British politician and businessman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir Mark Henig (11 February 1911 – 30 January 1979) was a British politician and businessman, Lord Mayor of Leicester and the first chairman of the English Tourist Board.
Sir Mark Henig | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 February 1911 Leicester, England |
| Died | 30 January 1979 (aged 67) |
| Children | Stanley Henig |
| Relatives | Simon Henig (grandson) |
Early life
Mark Henig was born in Leicester on 11 February 1911.[1] He was educated at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys.[1][2]
Career
After leaving school, Henig went to work for his father's company, the Leicester wholesale textile distributors, Henig & Sons Limited, where he later became a director.[2]
Henig was elected as a Labour member to Leicester City Council in 1945, and remained one until 1970.[1] From 1949 to 1962, he was secretary and whip of the Labour group. In 1965, he became the leader of the group.[2] He was an alderman from 1958–70, and was High Bailiff in 1965.[1]
Henig was chairman of the Association of Municipal Corporations from 1966 to 1967, and of the East Midland Economic Council from 1968 to 1971.[1] Henig was Lord Mayor of Leicester from 1967 to 1968,[1][3] one of three Jewish men (the others being Sir Israel Hart and Cecil Harris) who had been mayor or lord mayor of Leicester.[4]
In 1969, Henig was appointed to the Royal Commission on the Constitution, headed by Lord Crowther and later Lord Kilbrandon which was set the task of examining the UK constitution. It produced a lengthy report four years later.[5]
In 1969, Henig was the first chairman of the English Tourist Board, a role in which he continued for ten years until his death in 1979.[1][3] He was twice president of the Leicester Hebrew Congregation, and a passionate supporter of Israel.[1]
Honours and awards
Personal life
His son, Stanley Henig, was a Labour MP and Lancaster council leader.[1] His grandson Simon Henig is also a Labour politician and in 2009 became the leader of Durham County Council.[6]