Edward Binks 1912-2010
Edward Binks, the businessman and philanthropist whose charitable work supported research into all areas of medicine at the University and its affiliated hospitals, has died aged 97.
Born in Leeds in 1912, Edward made his name in coal and oil, rising through the ranks of coal merchant Cawoods and steering its transformation into the equivalent of what today would be a FTSE 250 company. In 1982 Cawoods merged with Redland and Edward joined the Redland board. He also continued as chief executive and chairman of Cawoods until his retirement in 1985.
Edward’s business success was coupled with a highly developed social conscience and he gave generous support to local and national charities. He was actively involved with the Leeds and West Riding Medical Research Trust from its inauguration in 1968, becoming vice-chairman to Sir George Martin whom he succeeded after five years. He was responsible for procuring almost £2 million to finance the West Riding Chair in Molecular Medicine at the University and the appointment of Alex Markham (now Sir Alex) as professor in 1992. In all, the medical charity that Edward chaired from 1973 until his death supported research into all areas of medicine at the University and its affiliated hospitals to the tune of several million pounds.
