Honorary degree for former Gordon & MacPhail chief and Johnstons of Elgin chairman
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A PROMINENT Moray business figure has received an honorary degree for his four decades of leadership in the whisky and cashmere sectors.
Ian Urquhart, former managing director of Gordon & MacPhail and chairman of Johnstons of Elgin, has been honoured by Glasgow Caledonian University for his outstanding leadership of the iconic Scottish brands.
Ian received a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his service in two of Moray's foremost industries.
He told graduates: "Learning is a lifelong process and I wish every one of you every success ahead.
"It's essential to keep building up your networks.
"It's amazing how just one conversation can open up a whole new chapter."
Ian joined Gordon & MacPhail, his family business, in 1966, after a two-year apprenticeship in the wine department at Harrods in London.
Over his 41 years there he helped steer the company towards global growth and played a key role in getting Benromach Distillery back into production. He retired in 2007.
Since the 1970s he has been a non-executive director of Johnstons of Elgin, the family business of his late wife, Heather. He continues as a non-executive director and only recently passed the baton of chairman to his daughter, Jenny.
In the 1990s Ian successfully completed his MBA through the Open University.
He has also published three books about the history of Johnstons of Elgin and on Scottish Estate Tweeds.
Other recipients of honorary degrees included singer-songwriter and broadcaster Ricky Ross for his outstanding contribution to Scottish music and culture, Paralympian rugby player Michael Kerr, and the creative director of Harris Tweed Hebrides Mark Hogarth who was recognised for his outstanding commitment to fashion, design and branding.
