Scottish billionaire and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood dies aged 84

WorldBusiness & Finance
27 Jul 2026 • 6:04 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Scottish billionaire and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood dies aged 84

  • Sir Ian Wood, a Scottish billionaire who built his fortune in the North Sea oil industry, has died peacefully at his home at the age of 84.
  • He transformed his family's Aberdeen-based fishing operation into an engineering and consulting giant, later forming a separate engineering company servicing the rapidly growing North Sea oil business.
  • At its height, the Wood Group was valued at more than £5 billion. Sir Ian retired as the group's chair in 2012 and was knighted in 1994 for his contributions to the oil and gas sector, later becoming a member of the Order of the Thistle.
  • He established the Wood Foundation in 2007, through which he engaged in philanthropic work.
  • His family described him as “a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend”, acknowledging “his kindness, generosity, determination and unwavering commitment to his family”.

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