Sir Ian Wood KT GBE 1942 – 2026

It is with great sadness that we share that Sir Ian Wood, the founder and Chairman of Opportunity North East, has died peacefully at home in Aberdeen, surrounded by his family.

The thoughts of everyone at ONE are with Lady Helen and the family.

Jennifer Craw MBE, CEO of ONE said: "Sir Ian knew the north east of Scotland could compete with the very best in the world. He believed the private sector had both the ability and the responsibility to help build that future, working alongside government, universities and philanthropy. His ambition was always long term, prosperity through enterprise, investment and employment.

"Ten years ago, with board members and sector boards alongside him, we founded Opportunity North East to turn that conviction into action. He expected ambition to be matched by delivery. He cut through complex issues, focused people on what really mattered, and brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, universities and public sector partners to turn ideas into action. Hundreds of people continue to give their time, expertise and influence because they share Sir Ian's confidence in what the north east can achieve.

"I have worked alongside Sir Ian since 2008, and I learned more from him than from anyone. He trusted people with responsibility and expected results. He encouraged us to look beyond our own organisations, learn from the best internationally and apply that thinking here in the north east. Whatever we had achieved, his question never changed: what else could we do for the region? I will miss that question.

"Opportunity North East will continue the work Sir Ian began, with the same confidence in this region and the same commitment to answering that question."

Stanley Morrice MBE, Vice Chair of ONE said:

"Sir Ian founded Opportunity North East on a clear conviction: that the private sector had a responsibility to lead the diversification of this region's economy, and that it could only succeed by working with partners across the whole ecosystem.

"I joined the board in 2020 because it had been proven — a decade of delivery, funded by Sir Ian's family foundation and matched by others. As chairman, he set the standard. He cut through complexity, focused the board on what really mattered, and expected every project to deliver. He gave his time generously and asked the same of us all.

"On behalf of the board and our sector boards, our thoughts are with Lady Helen and the Wood family. Our task now is to continue the work Sir Ian began, together, with the discipline and ambition he expected of us." You can read more about Sir Ian's life here