Ian Wood (businessman)

Sir Ian Clark Wood CBE (born 21 July 1942) is a Scottish businessman. He is best known for his work in the North Sea oil industry with Wood Group, which he was largely responsible for transforming from a company of modest size, serving a primarily local market, to a large corporation with operations in over 50 countries. He served as Wood Group's chief executive from 1967 to 2006 and as chairman until 2012.

Early life

Ian Wood was born in Aberdeen on 21 July 1942^[1][2] and educated at Robert Gordon's College, and then the University of Aberdeen, where he studied psychology and graduated in 1964.^[3]

Career

After leaving the University he joined the family business, becoming managing director in 1967.^[3] He was awarded the CBE in 1982 in the New Year Honours List^[3] and was knighted in 1994 in the New Year Honours List.^[4]

He has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of Aberdeen in 1984, Doctor of Business Administration by The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in 1998^[3] and Doctor of Technology by Glasgow Caledonian University in 2002.^[3] Since 2004, he has served as Chancellor of The Robert Gordon University.^[3]

On 20 April 2010, Aberdeen City Council accepted his conditional investment of up to £85m (£50m confirmed, £35m pledged should the project exceed its budget), towards a project of £140m to redesign the Union Terrace Gardens,^[5][6] The project was supported by some local businesses though opposed by a large number of local residents. The Union Terrace Gardens project was passed by referendum^[7] but was later rejected by the council.^[8]

On 19 July 2012 Wood announced that he would retire as chairman of Wood Group, with Allister Langlands as his successor.

In 2014, Wood had a net worth of £1.32 billion.^[9]

Personal life

Wood has three sons and one daughter with his wife Helen, and six grandchildren. They have a second home at Loch Tummel, Perthshire.^[10]

References