Obituary – Charles Benham

Charles Benham, a much-respected member of the timber industry, died peacefully at his home on July 15. He was 85.

Mr Benham was deputy managing director of Pharaoh Gane & Co Ltd, and later took the same position with UCM Timber plc. For many years he was a director on the board of Russian Wood Agency Ltd, as well as chairman of The Timber Trade Federation's agents' division. He retired in 1986.

He will remembered for his many attributes but none more so than the enormous role he played in the UK/Soviet Union timber trading relationship from the 1960s to 1980s. It was a time when traders perhaps helped more in retaining sound relations between the two countries than did politicians. In this environment Mr Benham gained the trust and respect of his Soviet counterparts.

Over 30 years he must have made more than 100 journeys to Russia. On a delegation in 1966 when the Russian state organisation V/O Exportles of Moscow invited all major UK importers and agents, it is reported that at a farewell party in Georgia, Charles Benham led the entire British contingent to a version of "Knees up Mother Brown" to great applause from their Russian hosts.

He visited many timber-producing areas but most notable Archangel which was closed to foreigners in the 1960s and 70s and welcomed only a handful of respected trading partners. He was also instrumental in developing timber business between the Soviet Union and Spain.

Mr Benham loved the trade and his involvement in Russia and became absorbed in the history and the passion of the country and its people. Nothing pleased him more than to speak in his broken Russian to locals over a glass or two of vodka and acknowledge the warmth and hospitality afforded him by timber people.

He will be remembered as one of the characters of the trade at a time when UK importers purchased around 500,000-800,000 Stds of loose goods from the Soviet Union and contracts were often concluded with a handshake.

Mr Benham continued to play golf and later took up fishing. He is survived by his wife Bruna, his son Simon and daughter Sophea.