View source for Robert Smith, Baron Smith of Kelvin

{{short description|British businessman (born 1944)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image            = Lord Smith of Kelvin.jpg
| caption          =
| honorific-prefix = {{pns|RHon|size=100%}}
| name             = The Lord Smith of Kelvin
| honorific-suffix ={{Post-nominals|country=GBR|KT|CH|FRSGS|size=100%}}
|office5         = [[Member of the House of Lords]]<br />[[Lords Temporal|Lord Temporal]]
|term_start5       = 29 May 2008<br />[[Life peer|Life Peerage]]
|term_end5    =
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1944|8|08}}
| birth_place      = [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]]
| birth_name       = Robert Haldane Smith
| death_date       =
| death_place      =
| occupation       = Businessman, parliamentarian
| spouse           = {{marriage|Alison Marjorie Bell|1969}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/CCC_FirstPage.jsp|title=Court of the Lord Lyon|website=lyon-court.com|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref>
| children         = 2
| party            = [[Crossbench]]
| awards           =
| website          =
}}
'''Robert Haldane Smith, Baron Smith of Kelvin''', {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|size=100%|KT|CH|FRSGS}} (born 8 August 1944) is a British businessman and former [[Board of Governors of the BBC|Governor]] of the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]].<ref name="Parl">{{Cite web |title=Contact information for Lord Smith of Kelvin - MPs and Lords  |url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/3856/contact |access-date=2021-06-28 |website=UK Parliament |language=en}}</ref> Smith was knighted in 1999, appointed to the House of Lords as an independent [[crossbench]] peer in 2008, and appointed Knight of the Thistle in the [[2014 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lord Smith of Kelvin |url=https://www.smith-commission.scot/lord-smith-kelvin-biography/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205004739/https://www.smith-commission.scot/lord-smith-kelvin-biography/ |archive-date=5 December 2014 |access-date=27 November 2014 |website=The Smith Commission}}</ref> He was also appointed to the [[Order of the Companions of Honour]] in 2016.
Lord Smith of Kelvin serves as [[Chancellor (university)|Chancellor]] of the [[University of Strathclyde]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chancellor |url=http://www.strath.ac.uk/officers/bio/chancellor/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125938/http://www.strath.ac.uk/officers/bio/chancellor/ |archive-date=6 October 2014  |website=University of Strathclyde}}</ref> and Chair of the [[British Business Bank]]. He is Chairman of IMI plc, Scottish Enterprise<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-02 |title=Lord Smith of Kelvin appointed Scottish Enterprise chairman |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-49205066 |access-date=2021-06-28 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Forth Ports Limited.
On 19 September 2014, he was appointed as Chair of the newly formed Scotland Devolution Commission by Prime Minister [[David Cameron]], following the "No" result in the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish independence referendum]]; his role being to oversee devolution commitments spelt out by the Westminster parliamentary leaders, with initial proposals drawn up by November 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Independence Referendum: statement by the Prime Minister |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scottish-independence-referendum-statement-by-the-prime-minister |access-date=19 September 2014 |website=GOV.UK|date=19 September 2014 }}</ref>
==Early life==
Smith grew up in the [[Broomhill, Glasgow|Broomhill]] district of [[Glasgow]] and was educated at [[Allan Glen's School]], Glasgow.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-09-19 |title=Scottish referendum: Who is Lord Smith of Kelvin? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29273177 |access-date=19 September 2014 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
After leaving school in 1963, Smith failed his first-year English exams at the [[University of Glasgow]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-11-28 |title=Profile: Lord Smith of Kelvin |language=en |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/profile-lord-smith-kelvin-9888527.html |access-date=28 November 2014}}</ref> He turned to a career in [[accountancy]] and was articled to Robb Ferguson & Company and qualified as a [[Chartered Accountant]] in 1968.<ref>[http://www.scottishreview.net/KRoy201.shtml A cliffhanger of an end to a classic Scottish detective story – Part 3: The blameless board] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073913/http://www.scottishreview.net/KRoy201.shtml |date=6 October 2014 }} Scottish Review, 24 November 2011</ref>
==Professional career==
Smith moved to ICFC, later known as [[3i]], until 1982 and joined the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]] in 1983. From 1985 to 1989 he was managing director of Charterhouse Development Capital Ltd. He also held the posts of chairman and CEO with Morgan Grenfell Private Equity, CEO of [[Morgan Grenfell]] Asset Management and was Vice Chairman of its successor, [[Deutsche Asset Management]], between 2000 and 2002. He has held various positions as Director of [[MFI Furniture Group plc]], Stakis plc (where he was also chairman from 1998 to 1999), the [[Bank of Scotland]], Tip Europe plc, and [[Network Rail]].<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/02/07161157 Chair appointed to help deliver 2014 Games] Scottish Government, 7 February 2008</ref> From 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2013 Smith was Chairman of The [[Weir Group]].<ref>[http://www.weir.co.uk/media/press-releases/news/2013/05/lord-smith-to-step-down-as-chairman-of-the-weir-group Lord Smith to step down as Chairman of The Weir Group] The Weir Group, 1 May 2013</ref>
Smith was a member of the [[Financial Services Authority]] from 1997 to 2000, a member of the [[Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland]] from 2002 to 2007, and is a member of the [[Financial Reporting Council]]. As Chairman of the FRC Group on Audit Committees Combined Code Guidance, he was responsible for ''The Smith Report'' (2003). Smith was also a member of the [[Council of Economic Advisers (Scotland)]], an independent advisory group to the First Minister of Scotland.
==Business commitments==
{{BLP sources section|date=July 2023}}
Smith was Chairman of [[Scottish and Southern Energy]], The Weir Group plc, Government-backed UK Green Investment Bank, Alliance Trust plc and a non-Executive Director of Standard Bank Group Limited.
On 8 February 2008, Smith was appointed as Chair of the [[Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games]] organising company.<ref>[http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/index.php?news=1202492064 Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Has New Head] GamesBids.com, 8 February 2008</ref> He was announced as the first Chair of the British [[Green Investment Bank]] in May 2012.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-18207982 Lord Smith to chair Green Investment Bank] BBC News, 25 May 2012</ref>
On 19 September 2014, Smith was appointed as Chair of the newly formed Scotland Devolution Commission, following the "No vote" in the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish independence referendum]].
He is a Past President of the [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland]] and was chairman of the board of Trustees of the [[National Museums of Scotland]] from 1993 until 2002 and was a member (1988–1998) and vice-chairman (1996–1998) of the [[Museums and Galleries Commission]]. Smith was President of the [[British Association of Friends of Museums]] from 1995 to 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Office - Sir Robert Smith to stand down |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/07_july/29/smith.shtml |access-date=2021-06-28 |website=BBC }}</ref> and a member of the British Council's Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2005.
Smith was a President of the [[Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland]] and also Regent of the [[Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh]] and was Chairman of the Smith Group (advising Scottish Government on educational issues, especially 16- to 19-year-olds not in education, employment or training).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chancellor The Rt Hon the Lord Smith of Kelvin |website=University of Strathclyde |url=https://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/universityleaders/chancellortherthonthelordsmithofkelvin/ |access-date=2021-06-28 }}</ref>
==Personal life==
Smith married Alison Marjorie Bell in 1969; initially Mrs Alison Smith, she formally became Lady Smith when her husband received a knighthood in 1999, and then The Lady Smith of Kelvin when her husband received his peerage. They have two daughters.
Lord and Lady Smith own a [[vineyard]] and guesthouse in [[South Africa]].<ref name=Parl/>
==Recognition==
{{BLP sources section|date=July 2023}}
Smith has been conferred [[honorary degrees]] by the Universities of [[University of Glasgow|Glasgow]], [[University of Edinburgh|Edinburgh]], [[University of Strathclyde|Strathclyde]] and also [[University of Paisley|Paisley]], where he was installed as Chancellor in 2003 serving for 10 years. Smith's time at the University of Paisley oversaw the merger with [[Bell College]] in [[Hamilton, South Lanarkshire|Hamilton]], intended to create the biggest [[New Universities|new university]] in Scotland. The University of Paisley changed its name to the [[University of the West of Scotland]] in November 2007.
In 2010, the [[Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors]] awarded Smith an Honorary Fellowship at the Annual Scottish Conference in recognition of his long-term support of the internal audit profession.
In 2014 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the [[Royal Scottish Geographical Society]], allowing him to use the [[List of post-nominal letters (United Kingdom)|Post Nominal Letters]] "FRSGS".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Honorary Fellowship (FRSGS) |url=https://rsgs.org/inspiring-people/medals-awards/honorary-fellowship/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629124020/https://rsgs.org/inspiring-people/medals-awards/honorary-fellowship/ |archive-date=29 June 2019 |website=Royal Scottish Geographical Society}}</ref> Smith was the 2015 winner of the [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]]/Adam Smith Medal, for his business leadership and his outstanding contribution to public service through his Chairmanship of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rse.org.uk/|title=Home|date=20 June 2016|website=The Royal Society of Edinburgh|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> He was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]] in March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rse.org.uk/fellows/|title=Fellows|date=21 June 2016|website=The Royal Society of Edinburgh|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref>
Lord Smith was awarded an honorary doctorate from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois in March 2023.  Lord Smith was a guest speaker along with Sir James MacMillan for the World Leaders Forum at Judson University recognizing the 100th anniversary of Christian missionary Eric Liddell's historic gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
==Honours==
*[[File:Coronet of a British Baron.svg|30px]] [[Life Peer]] as '''Baron Smith of Kelvin''', ''of Kelvin in the [[Glasgow City (council area)|City of Glasgow]]'' (created 29 May 2008)<ref>{{London Gazette | issue=58717 |date=3 June 2008 |page=8309}}</ref>
*[[Image:Order of the Thistle UK ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Knight of the Order of the Thistle]] (2014)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=60728|supp=y|page=1|date=31 December 2013}}</ref>
*[[Image:Knight-Bachelor.ribbon.png|30px]] [[Knight Bachelor]] (1999)<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=55513 |date=12 June 1999 |page=2 |supp=y}}</ref>
*[[File:Order of the Companions of Honour Ribbon.gif|30px]] [[Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour]] (2016)<ref>{{cite web|title=Queen's Birthday Honours 2016|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/528696/birthday_honours_list_prime_ministers_list_2016.pdf|website=gov.uk|access-date=10 June 2016|page=1}}</ref>
Lord Smith of Kelvin sits as a [[crossbench]] [[Life Peer]] in the [[House of Lords]].<ref name=Parl/>
He was appointed [[Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour]] (CH) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for public service, particularly in Scotland.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61608|supp=y|page=B27|date=11 June 2016}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
https://patch.com/illinois/elgin/judson-u-celebrates-legacy-chariots-fire-figure-eric-liddell
==External links==
* [http://www.burkespeerage.com/ Burke's Peerage & Baronetage]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/07_july/29/smith.shtml Sir Robert Smith to stand down as BBC National Governor for Scotland] BBC Press Office, 29 July 2004
*[http://sse.com/aboutus/ourteam/ Our team – Lord Smith of Kelvin – Chairman] SSE
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{{s-bef|before=[[Baron Stern of Brentford|The Lord Stern of Brentford]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom|Gentlemen]]'''<br />''Baron Smith of Kelvin'' '''}}
{{s-fol|after=[[Baron Bates|The Lord Bates]]}}
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{{Members of the Order of the Thistle}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Robert}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Maryhill]]
[[Category:Nobility from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Mass media in Scotland]]
[[Category:BBC Governors]]
[[Category:Crossbench life peers]]
[[Category:Knights of the Thistle]]
[[Category:3i Group people]]
[[Category:People educated at Allan Glen's School]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour]]
[[Category:Knights Bachelor]]
[[Category:Scottish accountants]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society]]
[[Category:Peers recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission]]
[[Category:Life peers created by Elizabeth II]]