Eric Sharp, Baron Sharp of Grimsdyke, (17 August 1916 â 2 May 1994) was a British businessman and Member of the House of Lords.
Eric Sharp began his career 1948 as Principal in the Ministry of Power. He was 1948âÂÂ1950 the UK delegate in the coal and petroleum committees of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC). 1951âÂÂ1954 he was vice-chairman of the Electricity Committee of the OEEC. 1955âÂÂ1956 he held the position as Secretary to Herbert Committee of Inquiry into Electricity Supply Industry. 1957âÂÂ1964 he was marketing manager at British Nylon Spinners Ltd. 1964âÂÂ1968 he was director of ICI Fibres Ltd. Subsequently, he worked at Monsanto as member of Board of Monsanto Europe in 1969, as member of the Management Board 1970âÂÂ1972, as deputy chairman of Monsanto Ltd 1973âÂÂ1974 and as chairman 1975âÂÂ1981. He was 1980-90 chairman of Cable & Wireless plc and their chief Executive 1981âÂÂ1990.
He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1980 New Year Honours. and became a Knight Bachelor in 1984. On 21 July 1989 he was created a Life Peer as Baron Sharp of Grimsdyke, of Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow.
He married Marion Freedman in 1950 and had with her one son Richard Sharp (a twin), and two daughters, Nicola (1954âÂÂ1982) and Victoria Sharp (a twin), who is the President of the King's Bench Division of the High Court in England and Wales. Eric and Marion were Jewish and attended Westminster Synagogue.