Johnson joined the Jardine, Matheson & Co. in 1861 and was later admitted as a partner in 1866 when James MacAndrew ceased to be with the company.
Johnson was appointed to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on 17 May 1881, during William Keswick's absence on leave.
[clarify] In 1883, he was also appointed to the commission of inquiring the alleged opium smuggling as well as other goods from Hong Kong into China.
[4] In December 1883, the government enacted the Johnson's Wharves and Piers Ordinance to authorise Johnson to construct piers and wharves in the Victoria Harbour for the Jardine, Matheson & Co.[5] Bulkeley Street in Hung Hom, Kowloon was named after him.
His son, Charles Bulkeley Bulkeley-Johnson, was a highly decorated British cavalry general who died in the First World War.