Basil Sanderson, 1st Baron Sanderson of Ayot

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Basil Sanderson, 1st Baron Sanderson of Ayot, MC (19 June 1894 - 15 August 1971), was a British businessman and public servant.

Sanderson was the son of the businessman Harold Arthur Sanderson, general manager of the White Star Line, and his wife Maud Blood of New York City. He was educated at Rugby and at Trinity College, Oxford.

Sanderson fought in the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry in the First World War and was awarded the Military Cross. Like his father he became involved in business, especially the shipping trade, and held directorships with numerous company.

During the Second World War he served as Director of Shipping in Port at the Ministry of Shipping from 1939 to 1941 and as Head of Port Transit Control at the Ministry of War Transport from 1941 to 1945. After the war Sanderson was managing director of the Shaw Savill shipping line from 1945 to 1959 and the firm's chairman from 1947 to 1963. In 1960 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Sanderson of Ayot, of Welwyn in the County of Hertford. Lord Sanderson died in August 1971, aged 77. He was succeeded in the Barony by his eldest twin son Alan. However, he disclaimed the peerage for life the same year.

In 1927 Sanderson married Evelyn Constance Ismay (1897–1940), daughter of shipbuilder J. Bruce Ismay who was the managing director of the White Star Line.