John Denison-Pender

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This article is about the chairman, 1917–1929, and managing director, 1881–1917, of the Eastern Telegraph Company. For his son, see John Denison-Pender, 1st Baron Pender.

Sir John Denison Denison-Pender GBE KCMG (10 October 1855–6 March 1929), born John Denison Pender, was chairman and managing director of the Eastern Telegraph Company (now Cable & Wireless).

Pender (he assumed the additional name of Denison, his mother's maiden name, in 1890) was the third son of Sir John Pender, the founder of the Eastern Telegraph Company. He was educated at Eton College and in 1878 joined his father's company. He joined the board in 1881 and became managing director in 1893 and also deputy chairman in 1896. In 1917, following the retirement of Sir John Barry, he became chairman and his son, John, succeeded him as managing director. In 1934, Imperial and International Communications, formerly the Eastern Telegraph Company, became Cable & Wireless. The new name was designed to more clearly reflect the combined radio and cable services which it offered, without reference to the Empire.

Denison-Pender was knighted as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) for his services to communications in the South African War. In the 1920 civilian war honours he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for similar services during the First World War, in which his company was not only responsible for the lion's share of Britain's submarine telegraph cables, but also successfully cut off Germany's communications with the rest of the world.