Posted: Monday 23 November 2009
Jim McColl inspires S6 Pupils at Lord McGowan Memorial Lecture
Gregor Hogan [S6] reports.
S6 pupils, staff and guests were treated to an inspirational address on 20 November by Jim McColl, Chairman & Chief Executive of Clyde Blowers. Giving the annual Lord McGowan Memorial Lecture, Mr McColl described his journey from leaving school at 16 to owning a billion-pound company, making him one of Scotland's most successful businessmen.
Opening his address, Mr McColl recalled his time at school and being told "The sky's the limit" when beginning his engineering apprenticeship at Weir Pumps. In a truly impressive tale, guests heard of McColl's drive and determination as he strived to develop his own skills and business acumen. Mr McColl reminded the Sixth Year, however, that it was his university education, which he achieved through a series of part-time degrees, that undoubtedly paved the way for his business success.
Mr McColl told the future entrepreneurs in the audience "You can achieve your dreams" if you are willing to work for them. Having been awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to the Engineering Industry, Mr McColl was an ambassador of Lord McGowan's tenacity and strong work ethic. The Lecture certainly had a clear impression on the guests, with one Sixth Year pupil describing it as "the best Talking Points lecture so far!"
Lord McGowan 1874-1961
- Pupil at Hutchesons' Grammar School 1882-1887
- Created KBE 1918, 1st Baron McGowan of Ardeer 1937
- Chairman, Imperial Chemical Industries 1930-1950
- Director, Midland Bank Ltd
- Director, London & Lancashire Insurance Co
- Director, Nickel Co of Canada
- President, Society of Chemical Industry
-
Honorary Degrees held from the Universities of Glasgow, Birmingham, Durham, Oxford and St Andrews
Previous McGowan Lecturers
DR CHRIS MASTERS
Chief Executive, Christian Salvesen PLC
MR J ADAIR TURNER (C1973)
Director General, CBI
MR RICHARD EMANUEL (C1985)
MD, DX Communications
PROFESSOR JOHN WARD
Chairman, Scottish Post Office Board
MR CAMERON McLATCHIE
Chairman & Chief Executive, British Polythene Industries
SIR IAN ROBINSON
Chief Executive, ScottishPower plc
PROFESSOR JOHN HOLMAN
University of York
CHARLES MILLER SMITH
Chairman, Scottish Power plc
PROFESSOR EDDIE FRIEL
Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board
MR BRUCE SCOTT (C1959)
Chief Executive of Diligencia Ltd
Chairman of World Challenge Expeditions
MS HEATHER WRIGHT
Director of Advance Performance Ltd
DR CHARAN GILL MBE
Founder, Harlequin Leisure Group
JANETTE ANDERSON (C1982)
Chief Executive, First Engineering
TOM THOMSON (C1966)
Managing Editor, Newsquest