John Benger

For the 15th-century MP, see John Benger (politician).

Sir John Stuart Benger KCB (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.

Sir John Benger KCB
Benger in 2019
40th Master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 October 2023
Preceded by	Sir Mark Welland
51st Clerk of the House of Commons
In office 1 March 2019 – 1 October 2023
Preceded by	Sir David Natzler
Succeeded by	Tom Goldsmith
Personal details
Born	John Stuart Benger (1959-11-18) 18 November 1959 (age 65) Stockport, England
Spouse	Susan Irvine ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	2
Education	Stockport Grammar School
Alma mater	St Catharine's College, Cambridge Worcester College, Oxford

Early life and education

John Stuart Benger was born on 18 November 1959 in Stockport to Kurt Benger and Marian Benger (née Hollis).^[1] He studied at Stockport Grammar School and attended St Catharine's College, Cambridge,^[1][2] 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,^[1] 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".^[3]

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.^[4][5]

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.^[6][7]

Personal life

Benger married Susan Elizabeth Irvine in 1986 and has two sons. He is a supporter of the association football club Manchester United.^[1]

Honours

Benger was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to Parliament.^[8]

References

1. "Benger, John Stuart". Who's Who. A & C Black. 2022. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U284722. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
2. "St Catharine's Alumnus Appointed New House of Commons Clerk". St Catharine's college. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
3. "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. 1989. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
4. "John Benger promoted to clerk of the House of Commons". BBC News. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
5. "Dr John Benger appointed as Clerk of the House of Commons". UK Parliament. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
6. "The Speaker of the House of Commons announces Sir John Benger's move to St Catharine's College". YouTube. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
7. "Sir John Benger elected 40th Master of St Catharine's". St Catherine's College, Cambridge. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
8. "No. 63918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2022. p. N3.

Government offices
Preceded by Sir David Natzler	Clerk of the House of Commons 2019–2023	Succeeded by Tom Goldsmith
Academic offices
Preceded by Sir Mark Welland	Master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge 2023–present	Incumbent