Famous Scottish Entrepreneurs

Former CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Fred Goodwin perhaps became the most-hated banker after the 2008 collapse of RBS, when it registered the biggest annual loss in the history of the UK. Subsequently, his knighthood was revoked. He still receives an annual pension from the bank.

Charles Forte, Baron Forte was a Scottish hotelier best remembered for establishing the hospitality company that eventually became the Forte Group. He is also credited with opening the first catering service at Heathrow Airport in London in the 1950s. In 1970, Charles Forte was knighted by Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon for his achievements and contributions.

Jackson Carlaw is a Scottish politician best known for his association with the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party where he served as the leader from February to July 2020. From 2011 to 2019, he had served as the deputy leader of the party. Since 2007, Jackson Carlaw has been serving as a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Thomas Sutherland was a British politician and banker best remembered for founding The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC),  the founder member of HSBC Group. After his demise, a street in Sheung Wan was named after him.

Born to a hat manufacturer, James Wilson initially wished to study law but later joined his father’s business. Over the years, he established what is now the Standard Chartered Bank. Sent to Kolkata by Queen Victoria to introduce tax reforms, he introduced paper currency in the country, but died of dysentery.

James McGill was a Scottish Canadian politician, philanthropist, and businessman best remembered for founding McGill University in Montreal, Canada. One of the most important members of the Château Clique, McGill was also one of the founding members of the famous gentleman's dining club, The Beaver Club.

John Galt was a Scottish entrepreneur, novelist, and social and political commentator. Often referred to as the first English-language political novelist, Galt wrote extensively on issues pertaining to the Industrial Revolution. John Galt is also known as the father of Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt, who went on to become one of the fathers of the Canadian Confederation.

Born to a carpenter in Glasgow, James Young initially assisted his father but later gained an interest in chemistry. He grew up to invent a process of extracting oil from coal and oil shales. Owing to his paraffin oil company, which he owned, he later earned the nickname Paraffin Young.

Robert Livingston the Elder was a fur trader, merchant, and government officer in colonial New York. He was the first lord of Livingston Manor as he obtained a patent to 650 square km of land along the Hudson River; the land came to be known as Livingston Manor in Dutchess and Columbia counties.  

Imogen Bankier is a Scottish former badminton player who won the silver medal in the mixed doubles event at the 2011 World Badminton Championships in London. She then went on to win bronze medals at the 2012 European Championships and 2014 Commonwealth Games. After retiring as a player, Imogen Bankier has established herself as a businesswoman.

A cartographer who was a pioneer of road atlases, John Ogilby was also a well-known poet and translator. Initially a dance master, he is also credited with building Ireland’s first theater in Dublin. He was the target of satirical attacks by Alexander Pope in The Dunciad and by John Dryden in MacFlecknoe.

Best remembered as the inventor of the Ross rifle, Sir Charles Ross, 9th Baronet was a talented sharpshooter and rower in his college days and had even participated in the famed Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford. The Eton-educated baron was also said to be the largest landowner in Britain.

Walter Scott is a Scottish businessman and investment manager best known for establishing the popular investment management company, Walter Scott and Partners. Scott was working as a nuclear physicist before switching his career to become an investment manager.

James McCulloch was an Australian Scottish politician who served as the fifth Premier of Victoria from 1863 to 1868. After retiring from politics, McCulloch became a well-known businessman. He also served as the director of several organizations, such as the Bank of New South Wales. In 1870, James McCulloch was knighted for his achievements and contributions.

Sir George Burns, 1st Baronet was a Scottish shipping entrepreneur. He is best remembered for establishing J.&G. Burns, which later became the cornerstone of David MacBrayne Ltd. Burns is also known for his association with the Glasgow and South-Western Railway, where he was one of the largest shareholders. In 1889, he became the oldest person to be made a baronet.

William Brodie was a Scottish cabinet-maker, Edinburgh city councilor, and deacon of a trades guild. Brodie was also a housebreaker, a secret which he maintained almost all his life. He used the stolen money to fund his gambling habit and to maintain the household of his two mistresses. He was captured in 1788 and was sentenced to death by hanging.

Colin Macfarquhar was a Scottish printer and bookseller best remembered for co-founding Encyclopædia Britannica, which was first published in 1768. After acquiring the status of a master printer, Macfarquhar went on to open a printing shop in Edinburgh and the first edition of Encyclopædia Britannica was sold at his shop. Colin Macfarquhar also contributed to Britannica's second and third editions.

Donald Currie was a Scottish politician, shipowner, and philanthropist. He is credited with founding the Castle shipping company, which had ships plying between Calcutta and Liverpool. A noted philanthropist, Currie donated to several institutions like the University College Hospital and the University of Edinburgh. Donald Currie also received several honors including the Royal Society of Arts' Fothergill gold medal.  

Duncan Cameron was a Scottish-born Canadian political figure and fur trader best remembered for his rivalry with the Hudson’s Bay Company. He is also remembered for representing Glengarry County in the 9th Parliament.

George Bannatyne was a Scottish merchant and burgess best remembered as a collector of popular Scottish poems. He is also known for his compilation of an anthology of Scots poetry. Compiled during a plague in 1568, the anthology came to be known as the Bannatyne Manuscript and includes poems of famous writers like Robert Henryson, Alexander Montgomerie, and William Dunbar.