Frank Henshaw, Chiel Quantity Surveyor 1973-74 and later General Manager MKDC 1980-1992

Born in Northampton, Frank first worked in the Northampton County Architects Department before National Service. He then moved to the new quantity surveying section and studied by distance learning for RICS exams. In 1953 worked in Coventry on rebuilding the city after wartime bombing; the city was expanding massively with many engineering businesses. Given responsibility early on, Frank became deputy in the Housing section, working on the Wimpey ‘no-fines’ system to build housing fast. During this time, Fred Roche also arrived in Coventry. After 10 years in Coventry, Frank and Fred formed the Midlands Housing Consortium (1963 to 1965) to develop designs for standard housing for a rapid expansion of building across Midlands local authorities. Fred moved to Runcorn Development Corporation in 1965, Frank followed shortly afterwards until 1970. By 1970 it seemed that Runcorn would be merged with Warrington Development Corporation, so Frank moved to Chief Quantity Surveyor with Sheffield Council. However, he really preferred the new towns environment, so Frank eventually agreed to join Fred Roche in Milton Keynes in 1971.