Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> February 23, 2004
CHARLES A. BANKS was appointed Group Chief Executive of Wolseley Plc on
May 3, 2001, having been a member of the Wolseley Plc Board since 1992.
Mr. Banks joined the Peebles Supply Division of Ferguson Enterprises in
1967. His career advanced quickly, through appointments to General
Manager of Ferguson's Herndon (Virginia) location, and to Regional
Manager for Ferguson's Southeast region. In 1987, he moved to Ferguson's
corporate office as Senior Executive Vice President. In 1989, he was
promoted to President of Ferguson Enterprises and to the Wolseley Board
in 1992. Mr. Banks was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and educated
at San Bernandino High School, San Bernandino, California and Hempstead
High School in Hempstead, New York. After graduating from Brown
University in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1962, he spent two years in
the United States Navy on active duty, attaining the rank of Lieutenant
JG. He spent five additional years in the US Naval Reserve as
Lieutenant. In December 2001, Mr. Banks was awarded an honorary doctoral
degree from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. Profile
historical sketch and overview of your core businesses?
Mr. Banks: Wolseley is a very old company which was established in
