Educated at Woking Grammar School, Chris left at the age of 16 to spend the first 40 years of his business life in the media communications and marketing industry. He is regarded as the inventor of the modern media agency. In 2000, Chris was voted UK Business to Business Entrepreneur of the Year, having earlier been London Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2003/4 he was Entrepreneur in Residence at Wharton Business School. In 2008 he was honoured in Campaign's Hall of Fame as one of those who have helped to shape the UK’s advertising industry over the last 40 years.

Chris is a philanthropist who through his family trust, The Ingram Trust, supports approximately two dozen charities and Arts organizations. He is a significant donor to the London Business School and from 2002-2008 was Chairman of the Centre for Creative Business, a joint venture between London Business School and the University of the Arts, London, to help principals in the creative industries improve their general business skills. He is currently on the Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Board at the University of Arts.