Tributes paid as cultural leader passes away at 85
TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Glasgow’s most influential cultural leaders after his death at the age of 85.
Leading businessman, banker and philanthropist Sir Angus Grossart championed the city’s heritage buildings, leading the £8 million fundraising effort to restore the world-renowned Burrell Collection.
Noble Grossart bank confirmed its CEO passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.
John Swinney, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, said his contribution to the arts, culture, civic society and the economy in Scotland was “colossal.”
He said: “I am so sorry to hear this news. Angus Grossart was an immensely successful Scottish businessman who put his strengths into creating a thriving country for us all.
“I will miss him deeply.”
He was a founder board member of Glasgow Life, which oversees the city’s cultural assets and former chief executive Bridget McConnell led tributes, praising his “absolute loyalty, love of culture and willingness to make huge efforts on our behalf.”
She said he was still sending emails about Glasgow Life business days before his death on Friday. “I will really miss him,” she said. “He said people often spoke of him as an Edinburgh man but he firmly saw himself as a Glasgow boy as he was school and universityeducated here.”
Born in Lanarkshire, he was schooled at The Glasgow Academy and studied law at Glasgow University. He proudly recalled honing his business skills at a Barrowlands stall selling reject toffee.
Sir Angus was presented with the Lord Provosts Loving Cup on March 15 for spearheading the restoration of the Burrell Collection – regarded as one of the city’s highest awards.
Mrs McConnell recalled how he was “deeply moved” by the honour and said to her: “I will accept this particular award from my home city, as I believe in Love”.
She added: “It was a side to him not many will have seen.
“Angus was never simply a ‘supporter’ but a huge advocate for increasing our ambition for the city and in particular its cultural assets and for rising above what
he often saw as the dead hand of bureaucracy.
“The Burrell renaissance was the fulcrum of his aspirations for Glasgow.
“He was an internationalist and believed that the Burrell Collection was one of the most significant single person collections in the world.”
Mr Grossart was also a prominent newspaper chairman, chairing both the Scottish Daily Record and the Sunday Mail.
He was awarded a Knighthood for services to the arts in 1997.
In a statement, Noble Grossart Bank said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce that Sir Angus McFarlane McLeod Grossart has passed away peacefully at home in Edinburgh on the May 13 with his family by his side after a short illness.”