William Tuke (Chairman 1934-1936)

William Favill Tuke (1863-1940), was the first of three members of the banking branch of a renowned and extensive business family (several had been active Quakers and philanthropists), to occupy the Barclays chair, though in his case, it was in a caretaker role following the death of Frederick Goodenough.

As Goodenough’s death came unexpectedly there was some uncertainty as to who should succeed as chairman - Edwin Fisher or Goodenough’s own son, William. The board delayed the decision by appointing Tuke for a specified period of two years. The Tukes had been partners in three of the smaller country banks of the 1896 merger which created Barclay and Company Ltd.  Tuke had been a partner in the Saffron Walden bank at the time of the merger, and became a Barclays local director both there and at Royston local head office. He was then appointed as a chief inspector in 1904, and in 1912 as the first assistant general manager at head office, succeeding Goodenough as General Manager in 1916.

Described in the official history by his son Anthony as ‘a good natural banker’, Tuke was elected to the main board in 1920, becoming Goodenough’s vice-chairman in 1925, and deputy chair in 1932. A freeman of Saffron Walden, he also served as mayor and alderman in the town.