Henry Dennistoun "Dennis" Stevenson, CBE, DL (born 19 July 1945) was created a life peer as Baron Stevenson of Coddenham, of Coddenham in the County of Suffolk in 1999, and was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1981. He sits on the cross-benches in the House of Lords.
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He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, Trinity College, Glenalmond, and King's College, Cambridge.
Stevenson's business career started when he set up the SRU Consultancy Group upon leaving Cambridge.
He has been a non-executive Director of British Technology Group (1979-89), Tyne Tees Television (1982-87), Manpower Inc (1988-2006), Thames Television (1991-93), J. Rothschild Assurance plc (1991-97), English Partnerships (1993-2004), BSkyB (1994-2001), Lazard Bros (1997-2002) and St James's Place Capital (1997-2002).
He has been Chairman of the Newton Aycliffe and Peterlee New Town Development Corporation (1971-80), Aerfi (formerly GPA, 1993-1999), Pearson (1997-2005) and HBOS (formerly Halifax Plc, 1999-2008)
Stevenson's non-business career includes chairman of Intermediate Technology Development Group (1983-1990), Chairman of the Trustees of the Tate Gallery (1988-1998), Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission (2001-2008), Member of the Panel of Takeovers and Mergers and Chairman of the NAYC (1973-1981),
Stevenson is Chairman of Manocap and Aldeburgh Music, and a non-executive director of Western Union, Loudwater Partners and The Economist. He is also Chancellor of the University of the Arts London.[1]
He was married in 1972 and has four sons.
Stevenson was awarded a CBE in 1981, a knighthood in 1997 and was made a peer in 1999.
Stevenson became Chair of Halifax plc in 1999 and when they merged with Bank of Scotland he became Chair of the merged group, HBOS plc. After the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 and the subsequent forced rescue-merger between HBOS and Lloyds TSB, Stevenson and Andy Hornby resigned, waiving their rights to any "pay-offs". At a meeting of the Treasury Select Committee of the House of Commons on February 10, 2009, Stevenson apologised for the near-collapse of HBOS.[2]