Tribute to Christopher Saunders 1926-2024
8th April 2024
Tributes have been paid to Cicely Saunders International’s President Christopher Saunders, who has died aged 97. Christopher was Dame Cicely Saunders’ younger brother and was a former trustee of Cicely Saunders International and St Christopher’s Hospice. He provided help and encouragement to his sister for her plans to create a modern, purpose-built hospice that would revolutionise care of the dying. His business career included 5 years with McKinsey, and chairing engineering companies. Christopher’s ideas included organisational management theory, and he had contacts in the USA who would later become Dame Cicely’s key supporters and collaborators across the world.
Christopher’s reflections on his sister’s life are included in A Brother’s Story on the CS International website. https://cicelysaundersinternational.org/dame-cicely-saunders-a-brothers-story/
In later life Christopher was an investor and adviser to early stage, knowledge-based companies alongside his many charitable interests. He was a trustee of CS International from 2005 to 2014 and was a great supporter of the Cicely Saunders Institute, attending events and meeting researchers and funders.