[1] He studied at Stockport Grammar School and attended St Catharine's College, Cambridge,[1][2] where he read English and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

[3] Benger joined the staff of the House of Commons in 1986, working in procedural and committee posts, and became a clerk in 1990.

He was appointed the 51st clerk of the House of Commons and succeeded Sir David Natzler on 1 March 2019 upon his retirement.

[4][5] In February 2023, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, announced Benger's resignation in the autumn to become the 40th master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, his alma mater.

[1] Benger was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to Parliament.