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Sir Ian Wood: 1942–2026
29/9/2026
8 min read
Feature
Sir Ian Wood, who has died aged 84, was one of Scotland’s leading industrialists, philanthropists and public servants. He transformed a family-owned Aberdeen marine business into a global engineering company, helped mould the future of the UK’s energy industry, and dedicated his latter life to creating opportunities for young people and improving communities in Scotland, Africa and beyond, writes Andrew Mourant.
Born in Aberdeen in 1942, Wood was the middle child of John and Margaret Woo and was raised alongside sisters Meg and Lorna in a family rooted in the city’s fishing and maritime industries. He was educated at Robert Gordon’s College, then the University of Aberdeen from which he graduated with a first-class degree in psychology. He excelled at rugby, playing lock forward for the North & Midlands District XV, including in a match against the All Blacks at Pittodrie Stadium in 1972.
Following graduation, Wood joined the family business, becoming Managing Director of John Wood and Son (latterly JW Holdings) in 1967, where he oversaw significant expansion. He continued as Chairman of the legacy business, the Don Fishing Company, until his death. It remains one of Scotland’s leading fish selling and vessel management companies.
Under Wood’s leadership, the business diversified. When the North Sea oil and gas industry was in its infancy, he saw an opportunity to meet the needs of the emerging energy sector. His father had doubts about attaching too much importance to oil but, it transpired, Ian backed the right horse. Rapid growth followed: Wood Group became a stand-alone company in 1982 supplying engineering, oilfield logistics and drilling services to domestic and global markets. Its success helped anchor the wider development of Aberdeen’s energy supply chain.