Family mourn ‘titan’ Charles

He left school with no formal qualifications, but with a great thirst for knowledge.

And that helps explain why the founder of oil and gas engineering giant, Score Group, Charles Ritchie, has been described as a visionary businessman and adored grandfather, following his death at 69. Mr Ritchie launched the firm in 1982 and it subsequently developed into an international group of engineering businesses, providing valve and industrial turbine services for the offshore, nuclear and marine sectors.

Last night Mr Ritchie’s son Conrad described his father as a titan of north-east business who worked tirelessly in the community. “We are trying to come to terms with the loss,” said the managing director of Score Europe. Charles was a formidable

“A formidable businessman, mentor and great friend”

businessman, mentor and great friend to many. He was generous with his time in later life and did everything he could to help his beloved homeland.”

Charles Ritchie was a fierce unionist and campaigned against Scotland breaking away from the UK in the runup to the 2014 independence referendum.

His son said: “At times, he was misunderstood and could be very determined. Most of all, though, he was a family man and an adored grandfather.”

Score Group employs more than 1,700 people globally including 800 in Peterhead. The company is renowned for taking on apprentices and currently has 300 in a variety of training schemes. Mr Ritchie’s family said his mentoring of young people would be his “legacy”.