The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Sturgeon pays her tribute to ‘titan’ of Scottish business
Prominent Scottish businessman Sir Angus Grossart CBE has died aged 85 after a short illness. Noble Grossart bank confirmed its CEO passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.
Mr Grossart was born in Glasgow and trained in law at Glasgow University. Following this he practised law in Edinburgh for decades.
His businesses have been diverse and in 1969 he founded merchant bank, Noble Grossart, with Sir Ian Noble.
He has also served as vice-chairman for the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Mr Grossart was also prominent in newspapers, chairing both the Scottish Daily Record and the Sunday Mail.
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.”
Mr Grossart also served as chairman for the National Galleries of Scotland, where his bust is held.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute, saying: “I am deeply saddened to hear news of the passing of Sir Angus Grossart – a titan of the Scotland’s business community.
“Through his significant contributions to the arts, culture, the economy and public life, Sir Angus leaves a deep and lasting legacy.
“I want to pay particular tribute to the work of Sir Angus in his years of public service including leading the National Museum of Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland and the Scottish Futures Trust.
“I extend my sympathy to
Gay and to her family at this sad time.”
John Swinney, Scotland’s deputy first minister, praised Sir Angus’s contribution to the arts, culture, civic society and the economy in Scotland.
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.” Sir Angus was a founder board member of Glasgow Life, which oversees the city’s cultural assets and Bridget McConnell, a former chief executive of the organisation, 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 schooled and university educated here.
“We didn’t always agree, but never fell out – the mark of real respect and friendship – over the 24 years I worked with him.
“Angus became a huge supporter of Glasgow during his time as chair of the heritage lottery.
“In 1998 when I started in Glasgow I met him on a visit to Kelvingrove where he described Glasgow as the best example of civic neglect in the country and challenged us to do something about it and pledged his support if we did.
“The rest is history: support for Kelvingrove, the Peoples’ Palace, Riverside Museum and lots of other smaller projects too.”
Noble Grossart Limited is a merchant bank which advises many leading Scottish companies, institutions and private companies.