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Mon, 27 Jul 2026

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 Businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood dies aged 84

The Aberdeen-based businessman turned his family's boat repair firm into an oil and gas engineering giant.

* Sir Ian Wood, a renowned businessman and philanthropist, has died at the age of 84.
* He was one of Scotland's wealthiest people with an estimated personal worth of £1.8bn.
* He turned his family's fishing boat repair yard into a global engineering player in the North Sea and internationally through his company Wood Group.
* He retired as chief executive in 2006 and concentrated on charitable work, creating The Wood Foundation to tackle social and economic inequality.
* He was knighted in 1994 for services to the oil and gas industry and later made a member of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's highest order of chivalry.
* His family remembered him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who was known for his kindness, generosity, determination, and commitment to his family.
* Tributes have been paid by politicians including First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, and Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden.
* Sir Ian's legacy is one of enterprise, leadership, and generosity, and he has helped shape modern Scotland through his business and philanthropic work.