Sir Ian David Grant CBE DL FRAgS (28 July 1943 – 20 November 2022) was a British corporate director who was chairman and first commissioner of the Crown Estate. He also served as the Chairman of the Scottish Exhibition Centre from 2002 to 2013.^[1] Grant was knighted by Elizabeth II in 2010.^[2]

Early life and education

Ian Grant was born on 28 July 1943. He was educated at Strathallan School in Perthshire and the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture.^[1]

Career

• Director, East of Scotland farmers, 1976–2002.^[2]
• Chairman, Copa Cereals Group, Brussels, 1982–1986.^[2]
• Chairman, EEC Cereals Working Party, 1982–1988.^[1]
• Chairman, International Federation of Agricultural Producers, 1984–1989.^[2]
• President, National Farmers Union of Scotland, 1984–1990. (vice-president 1981–1984)^[2]
• Director, Clydesdale Bank plc, 1989–1997.^[2]
• Director, National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society, 1990–2008. (deputy chairman, 2003–2008)^[2]
• Director, Scottish and Southern Energy plc, 1992–2003. (deputy chairman, 2000–2003)^[2]
• Chairman, Scottish Tourist Board, 1990–1998. (board member, 1988–1998)^[2]
• Chairman, Cairngorms Partnership, 1998–2003.^[2]
• Chairman, Crown Estate 2002–2009. (commissioner, 1996–2009)^[3]
• Chairman, Scottish Exhibition Centre Ltd, 2002-20 (deputy chairman, 2001; director 1998–20)^[2]
• Member of the Council of CBI Scotland, 1984–1996.^[2]
• Member of the Scottish Economic Council, 1993–1997.^[1]
• Board Member, British Tourist Authority, 1990–1998.^[2]
• Vice-president of the Royal Smithfield Club.^[1]

Personal life and death

Grant died on 20 November 2022, aged 79.^[4][5]

Awards

• Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1988 Birthday Honours.^[6]
• Knighted in the 2010 New Year Honours.^[7][8][9]
• Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant, Perth and Kinross, 2010.^[2]
• Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Napier University, 1999.^[10]
• Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society.^[1]