One of the north-east’s most celebrated entrepreneurs took centre stage yesterday as the future leaders of the business world were honoured for their years of work at Robert Gordon University.
Sir Ian Wood told the students graduating at His Majesty’s Theatre their generation had the potential to be “the most powerful in history” during his opening speech.
The historic venue was alive with the bustle of eager students from the Aberdeen Business School, joined by their proud family and friends, as the retired chairman of oil and gas firm Wood Group highlighted the opportunities available to them to change the world for the better.
Sir Ian said: “Probably the biggest challenge your generation faces is the growing religious and racial strife, with terrorism and major acts of violence now almost daily events.
“Many of the problems exist because my generation has not accepted the concept of global responsibility.
“My great hope is that your generation will be different and do something.”
Sir Ian, RGU’s chancellor, also made reference to the looming Scottish independence referendum in his speech, saying many graduates were “facing a changing environment”.
He also offered some advice from his own lengthy and successful career to the budding businessmen and women.
Sir Ian said: “Think global. Scotland, or whichever country you come from is not the centre of the world, our world has no centre but is a matrix of countries and religions, ethnic groups and cultures.
“I was Wood Group’s first employee in the oil and gas industry in 1970. I set off with energy and zeal, but frankly not at all sure where I was going.
“When I retired from Wood Group 18 months ago, it had 43,000 people in 50 countries around the world. You can climb mountains and cross wide seas.”
Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, RGU principal and vice chancellor, also took to the stage to say graduations were “something we must treasure”.
He added: “Aberdeen Business School has gone from strength to strength. I’d hope you will keep in touch with our alumni office and that you will consider yourselves members of the RGU family.”