Christopher N Banks CBE

Christopher N Banks CBE

Chairman

Organisation: Learning and Skills Council

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Chris Banks is Chief Executive of Bigthoughts, the leading edge food business he set up, following a management buy-out from The Coca-Cola Company early in 2001.

Chris had been Managing Director of Coca-Cola Great Britain since early 1997. Bigthoughts currently operates from several facilities around the country, manufacturing and marketing brands in the fast gorwing market for ‘healthier’ snacks.

Previously, Chris was Chief Executive Officer, Justerini & Brooks - IDV’s global Scotch Whisky business. Before that he was with Allied Domecq, HP Bulmer, Mars and ACNielsen.

Chris is Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council and Deputy Chair of the National Employment Panel. He is immediate past president of The British Soft Drink Association, until recently a member of the Board of Improve Ltd, the Food and Drink Sector Skills Council, and a Commissioner for Women and Work.

Chris is a graduate of Birmingham University and has an MBA from Aston. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD); a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute; and a Member of the Marketing Society.

He was made a CBE for services to young people and the unemployed in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Chris is 47 and lives in Surrey with his wife Karen and three teenage children.

He is passionately committed to helping all people, whatever their background or circumstances, to achieve their full potential.