Basil Sanderson, 1st Baron Sanderson of Ayot

Basil Sanderson, 1st Baron Sanderson of Ayot MC (19 June 1894 – 15 August 1971), was a British businessman and public servant.

Early life Basil Sanderson was born on 19 June 1894. His father, Harold Sanderson, and was awarded the Military Cross.

The citation for his MC reads as follows:

Career Like his father he became involved in business, especially the shipping trade, and held directorships with numerous companies.

During the Second World War he served as Director of Shipping in Port at the Ministry of Shipping from 1939 to 1941 and as Head of Port Transit Control at the Ministry of War Transport from 1941 to 1945. After the war Sanderson was managing director of the Shaw Savill shipping line from 1945 to 1959 and the firm's chairman from 1947 to 1963. He was Sheriff of the County of London in 1948.

On 4 July 1960, he was raised to the peerage as Baron Sanderson of Ayot, of Welwyn in the County of Hertford.

Personal life In 1927 Sanderson married Evelyn Constance Ismay (1897–1940),

Death and legacy Sanderson died on 15 August 1971, aged 77.