The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Former investment group secretary Brian Ross
A “universally liked” former company secretary at one of Europe’s top international investment management groups has died aged 70.
Brian Ross, who was one of the first 10 employees of Aberdeen Asset Management when he joined the company, died following a short illness.
Brought up in Perthshire, Mr Ross enjoyed an extensive and successful career in the industry that took him around the world.
In the mid-1960s, he joined Bank of Scotland at the St John Street Branch in Perth as a clerk and, by 1971, was transferred to the bank’s head office in Edinburgh to take on a new role in business development.
Mr Ross focused a great deal of effort on the rapidly developing North Sea oil and gas industry and in 1976 he transferred to the bank’s first overseas representative office in Houston, Texas, to develop links with US oil companies and related businesses.
Just before he returned to Scotland he was given the Freedom of the City of Houston, an honour which he cherished.
Mr Ross first joined Aberdeen Asset Management in March 1987 – when the company was less than four years old – and worked alongside Martin Gilbert, chief executive, as well as Ronnie Scott Brown, George Robb, Hugh Little, Andrew Laing, Bill Rattray, Hugh Young and Colin Crosby.
He remained at the company for more than 15 years, and held the position of company secretary prior to his retirement in 2002. His previous role had been head of compliance.
Mr Gilbert said: “Everyone loved and respected Brian – he was universally liked. He had time for everyone in the company and everyone had time for him.
“He was a consummate professional, but one who had no airs and graces.”
Mr Ross had many friends in Blairgowrie, where he settled after retirement, and across Perthshire.
Outside of work, Mr Ross’s interests included travel, music, horses, community affairs and languages.
His interest in Scottish country dancing led him to become a teacher to his circle of acquaintances, and he was subsequently in much demand at parties.
Mr Ross, known to his friends as “Uncle Brian”, described himself as an “unclaimed treasure” and remained a bachelor.