14 Facts About Harold Beauchamp

Sir Harold Beauchamp was a New Zealand businessman who was twice chairman of the Bank of New Zealand.

Harold Beauchamp is believed to have crossed the Equator about 24 times travelling by sea to London maintaining business and banking contacts.

Harold Beauchamp's parents were auctioneer Arthur Beauchamp and his wife born Mary Elizabeth Stanley.

Harold Beauchamp appeared in the Magistrate's Court there, aged 15 and charged with "having wilfully damaged the road known as Shakespeare's Cliff Road, by driving a mob of cattle over the clay and mud embankment".

Harold Beauchamp did very well, became a partner in 1889 after Bannatyne's death, and stayed with Bannatyne's to the end of his working life.

Harold Beauchamp is reported to have said he made no profits from Bannatyne's until 1890.

Bannatyne's through Harold Beauchamp's efforts became a substantial and prosperous importing and distributing business operating throughout New Zealand.

Harold Beauchamp did not enter politics but did stand for election as a member of the Wellington Harbour Board in 1895 and later served as chairman.

Harold Beauchamp bought another more spacious house in relatively remote Karori but they returned to fashionable Thorndon in 1898 when he joined the board of the Bank of New Zealand.

Harold Beauchamp was chairman of directors from 1907 to 1911 and again from 1913 to 1922.

Harold Beauchamp established relationships with bankers and distinguished authorities on finance in London and in New York and maintained them the rest of his life visiting in person every three or four years.

Harold Beauchamp was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1923 New Year Honours.

Harold Beauchamp left substantial gifts to the National Art Gallery.

Harold's brother Harry Lomax Beauchamp farmed at Otaki for many years and died in 1939.