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Sir ANGUS GROSSART

Angus Grossart - Banker
Merchant Banker


(from a recent Scotland on Sunday article)

Sir Angus Grossart has a reputation for being Scottish businesses’ primary fixer, with a finger in almost every meaningful pie in the Scottish economy. He is chairman and executive director of Noble Grossart, the merchant bank he founded in 1969.

Educated at Glasgow Academy and Glasgow University, he currently sits on the boards of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh Fund Managers, Trinity Mirror, Hewden Stuart and the Scottish Investment Trust. He is also deputy chairman of the National Galleries of Scotland and an influential figure in the Scottish art world.

Previously he has served on the boards of Scottish Opera and the Edinburgh Film Festival. Last year he was criticised both for delivering a trenchant attack on current economic policies, arguing they “barely engage with the most vibrant parts of the economy”, and for approving lavish bonuses for Royal Bank directors following the successful takeover of NatWest. However, he shrugged off and survived both events and his influence remains enormous.

Now 67, he rules out retirement, arguing he would like “to die of exhaustion not of boredom”. He has recently been appointed as Chair of the National Museums of Scotland


From Who’s Who (2003)

Grossart, Sir Angus (McFarlane McLeod), Kt 1997; CBE. 1990; DL; Managing Director, since 1969, and Chairman, Noble Grossart Ltd, Merchant Bankers, Edinburgh, since 1990; Chairman, Scottish Investment Trust Plc, since 1975, merchant banker; born 6th April 1937; 3rd son of William John White Grossart and Mary Hay Gardiner, married 1978, Mrs Gay Thomson; one daughter. Educated Glasgow Academy; Glasgow University (MA 1958, LLB 1960). CA. 1962; Member of Faculty of Advocates, 1963. Practiced at the Scottish Bar, 1963- 1969. Major directorships include: Edinburgh US Tracker Trust (formerly American Trust); The Royal Bank of Scotland (Vice Chairman); Scottish Financial Enterprise; British Petroleum Scottish Board; Trinity Mirror (formerly Mirror Group) Plc; Scottish & Newcastle Plc; Scotland Internat; Edinburgh Fund Managers Plc; Member Scottish Development Agency; Dir, St. Andrews Management Inst., 1990-97 (Chm. Adv. Council, 1994-97); Chm., Bd. Of Trustees, National Galleries of Scotland, 1988-97 (Trustee, 1986-97); Trustee and Dep. Chm, National Heritage Memorial Fund; Vice President, Scottish Opera; Director Edinburgh International Film Festival, 1994-96; Friends of Royal Scottish Academy; Chairman Fine Art Society., 1998- . Formerly: Trustee, Scottish Civic Trust; Director Scottish National Orchestra; Member Scottish Industrial Development Adv, Bd. FRSE 19989. DL 1985; Hon. DBA Strathclyde, 1998. Hon FCIBS 1999. Lord Provost of Glasgow Award for public service 1994. Formerly, Scottish Editor, British Tax Encyc., and British Tax Rev. Recreations: golfing (runner-up, British Youth’s Golf Championship, 1957; Captain Scottish Youths Internat., 1956-57), the applied and decorative arts, Scottish castle restoration. Address: 48 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 3NR. Telephone 0131 226 7011. Clubs: New, Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Edinburgh); Royal and Ancient (St. Andrews)


Note: Since my articles on the RBS appeared on this web site I have been approached by a number of press men who have enquired about possible ‘dirt’ on Sir Angus Grossart. I refuse to be drawn on possible criminal indiscretions or gender preferences. I am not prepared to comment further than that which is to be found in the web section ‘The Art of Spying’.