Christopher Hanson-Abbott, the pioneer who introduced reversing alarms to Britain and co-developed broadband reversing alarm technology, has died aged 92. His partner announced his death.
Early life and career
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, to Clifford Hanson-Abbott, an RAF officer, and Edna (née Johnson), a golfer, Chris moved frequently during the second world war between RAF stations across Britain. His fascination with aviation led him to identify virtually every plane overhead. He was educated at Haileybury in Hertfordshire and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, then commissioned into the Royal Artillery before becoming a shipbroker at the Baltic Exchange.
Introduction of reversing alarms
While travelling as a shipbroker to Hong Kong and Japan, Hanson-Abbott first encountered reversing alarms, then unknown in Britain. In 1976, he founded Brigade Electronics and became the first to commercially introduce reversing alarms to the UK. Later, with Japanese colleague Masato Yamashita, he pioneered multifrequency broadband sound in reversing alarms. Unlike traditional alarms, this patented technology allowed instant direction-of-danger identification while reducing noise pollution.
According to his partner, Hanson-Abbott often said he worked in “the business of saving lives”, and his inventions were subsequently used in vehicle safety systems, tunnels, and emergency evacuation environments.
Recognition and legacy
For his contribution to road and workplace safety, he was appointed OBE in 2014. Brigade Electronics grew into an international company, receiving both the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (2019) and the King’s Award for Enterprise (2024). Beyond business, he founded the Vivamus choir in south-east London, served as a director of Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and the Arts, and later (2012-17) of Quiet Mark, an organisation reducing unnecessary noise.
Hanson-Abbott was married and divorced three times. He is survived by four children from his first marriage to Caroline Squire: Adrian, Philip, Nicola, and Julia; a daughter, Charlotte, from his second marriage to Fiona Todd; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his partner of 23 years.
