Memorial service remembers the life and legacy of Sir Ian Wood

A memorial service for Sir Ian Wood, one of Scotland’s most influential industrialists, philanthropists and public servants, was held on Friday in Aberdeen.

It was attended by over 300 people, including Sir Ian’s immediate family, friends and former colleagues alongside senior figures from the worlds of business, politics and philanthropy. 

The celebration of Sir Ian’s life took place in the MacRobert Hall of Robert Gordon’s College where he was educated before graduating from the University of Aberdeen with a first-class honours degree in psychology in 1964. Sir Ian died peacefully on 26 July at his home in the city surrounded by his immediate family. 

The service was compered by respected broadcaster Jackie Bird MBE and included tributes and readings from a range of people who reflected on different aspects of Sir Ian’s remarkable life and career: 

• Garreth and Graham, Sir Ian’s sons, on behalf of the Wood family.  
• Jack Wood and Ezra Wood who gave readings on behalf of all Sir Ian’s grandchildren.
• Graham Good, Head of the Family Office, who worked at Sir Ian’s side as a trusted friend and colleague. 
• Melinda French Gates, co-founder of The Giving Pledge, a groundbreaking global philanthropic initiative of which Sir Ian became a signatory in 2015 (video tribute). 
• Mike Straughen, a friend and colleague of many years who worked alongside Sir Ian in senior leadership roles at Wood Group and served on the Board.
• David Knopp, who oversees The Wood Foundation’s programme across East Africa which for over two decades has been transforming lives through venture philanthropy.
• His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, who has championed The Wood Foundation’s transformative initiatives in his country (video tribute). 
• Alley Mathieson, Portlethen Academy pupil and volunteer for local charity Sarah’s Sparkle, who has participated in The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).
• Rt. Hon. Michael Gove, Baron Gove of Torry, a fellow former pupil of Robert Gordon’s College with whom Sir Ian enjoyed a long friendship.
• Rt. Hon. John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, who worked closely with Sir Ian over the years, most notably on the commission on Developing the Young Workforce in Scotland (video tribute). 

There were also musical performances before and throughout the service: 

• Pipe Major Julie Brinklow, who played on entry to the service.
• Chris Pearson, Principal Teacher of Music at Robert Gordon’s College, and pupils who have led the singing today.
• John Cockburn, Sir Ian’s close friend, sharing his musical talents with his rendition of Acker Bilk’s “Stranger on the Shore”.
• Iona Fyfe, Scots singer and current Rector of The University of Aberdeen, who performed alongside pianist Neil Birse.

Among those paying their respects at today’s service were:  

• Professor Jim McDonald, Chair of Scottish Enterprise, formally representing the Royal Family in his role as a member of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle. 
• David Cameron, Lord Provost of Aberdeen.
• Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, and Peter Edwards, Professor and Vice-Chancellor of University of Aberdeen. 
• Martin Gilbert, Chairman of Revolut and founder of Aberdeen Asset Management. 
• Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and MSP for Aberdeen Deeside & North Kincardine, Douglas Lumsden, MP for Aberdeen South, Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North, Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine, Harriet Cross, MP for Gordon & Buchan, Jack Middleton, MSP for Aberdeen Central and former Deputy First Ministers Kate Forbes and Lord Nicol Stephen.

Garreth Wood, son of Sir Ian, in a moving tribute said: “The response to Dad’s passing has meant more to our family than we can properly express.

“The hundreds of letters and messages from around the world. The tributes across television, newspapers and social media. The memories people have taken the time to write down and send.

“Through some very difficult weeks, those words have been a source of great comfort — particularly for Mum. They have given us strength, brought back memories and, often, made us smile when we needed it.

“Some came from people who’d known Dad for decades: Colleagues and friends that had shared so much of his life. But what has struck us just as deeply are the messages from people who met him only briefly:

“Sometimes just one conversation. One meeting. Often many years ago.

“When you lose someone, you love, there is enormous comfort in learning that parts of them are being carried by people you may never even have met. Those stories have given us something precious: a fuller picture of Dad, through the eyes of others.” 

First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, currently in India on a Scottish Government-led trade mission, said in a video tribute played during the memorial: “It is beyond question that Sir Ian helped to craft modern Scotland. His achievements were extraordinary. He built a family business into a global enterprise. He helped to establish Scotland as a world leader in energy. But what distinguished Sir Ian was not simply what he built, but why he built it, and what he gave back.

“Sir Ian's ambitions were never solely for himself or for the organisations he led, they were for Scotland and her people. He wanted our country to succeed. He wanted young people to thrive. He wanted communities to flourish, and he dedicated his time, his energy, and his resources to making that happen. This, as much as any venture, is his remarkable legacy.” 

His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, in a video tribute played during the memorial said: "I'm honoured to pay tribute to Sir Ian Wood. Sir Ian's philanthropic work across Africa, including Rwanda, was a reflection of his selflessness and generosity. He left behind a legacy that will inspire many others. Rwanda is grateful for the long-standing friendship and partnership with the Wood Foundation. Across our country the Wood Foundation model has built enterprises, empowered communities, and raised incomes for farmers. Sir Ian will be dearly missed. I extend my deepest condolences to Lady Wood and the entire Wood family." 

Rt. Hon. Michael Gove, Baron Gove of Torry, who delivered a speech at the service reflecting on Sir Ian’s commitment to public life: “The best of us. He was the best of us.

“When we pay that compliment to any individual we recognise two things. He was rooted in his community. And he was exceptional in his achievements within, and for, that community.

“An example. And an exemplar.

“That was Sir Ian Wood. He was the very best of us. Aberdeen’s finest. Shaped by this city’s institutions he dedicated his life to making Aberdeen more prosperous, secure and confident. And he used what he learned here, and what he built here, to make the whole north-east, Scotland, and the world, a better place.”

Melinda French Gates, co-founder of The Giving Pledge, in a video tribute played during the memorial: “Sir Ian was a tremendous man. I got to know him through The Giving Pledge, and the thing that I remember is he would always step into that room with so many others who'd been successful in business, and yet he didn't command attention. He was warm and generous with everyone, and he was always there to learn and listen. 

“I like that he remembered, even though he'd had success in business, that he had a responsibility to make life better for others, whether it was a smallholder farmer in Rwanda or a science teacher in Aberdeen. Those people who have been the beneficiaries of his philanthropy are all better and will have more opportunities because of it. His legacy will live on through the Wood Foundation and Garreth's leadership, and I love that he knew that there was so much more to come and that could happen by what he left behind.” 

Alley Mathieson, Portlethen Academy pupil and volunteer for local charity Sarah’s Sparkle, who has participated in The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), said: “I’m only 13, and I never knew Sir Ian personally. I never got the chance to meet him or thank him. But because of something he believed in, I was given an opportunity that has changed the way I see myself, other people, and what I can do to help.

“That opportunity was YPI at my school, Portlethen Academy.

“At the beginning, I honestly thought YPI was just going to be another school project. Something we would work on for a while, present, finish and then move on from.

“I never imagined that months later I would still be involved with the charity we chose, or that the project would have had such a big effect on me.”

Martin Gilbert, Chairman of Revolut and founder of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “I had the privilege of knowing and working with him for more than 40 years, and his extraordinary work ethic, attention to detail and natural charisma always stood out. He commanded enormous respect across civic society which has been evidenced by the huge outpouring of tributes since his passing. It was an honour to attend today’s celebration of his life which was a fitting and heartfelt tribute to an exceptional businessman and an amazing man.”