Christopher became Chairman of VisitBritain in January 2007. He is also Chairman of International Personal Finance plc and The Windsor Leadership Trust. He has been an independent non-Executive Director at Ladbrokes plc (formerly Hilton Group plc) since 2003 and is an Executive Committee Member of the World Travel and Tourism Council. Previous roles include:

2004 - 2006 President and Chief Executive at Visa International
1997 - 2003 Founder non-Executive Director of the Financial Services Authority
1996 - 2004 Group Chief Executive at Bradford and Bingley
1988 - 1996 Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Executive at Thomas Cook

He was also a member of the Council and Executive Committee of the National Trust. Earlier in his career he was a Manager at McKinsey and Co, before spending nine years with American Express. Christopher became a Commander of the British Empire in the 2007 New Year Honours list for services to British business interests and charitable works in the UK and USA.

Christopher is a graduate of Cambridge University and the Harvard Business School. He rowed for Cambridge in the 1970 and 1971 Boat Race, is a past-Chairman of Leander Club and is a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta.