Former chairman of Govan Shipbuilders

Born: December 17, 1929;

Died: August 4, 2018

ARCHIE Gilchrist, who has died aged 88, was a leading figure in shipbuilding who held several prestigious positions, including director of Clyde-based Barclay Curle and parent company Swan Hunter, managing director and latterly chairman of Govan Shipbuilders and managing director of Vosper Shipbuilders in Singapore.

Mr Gilchrist was also managing director of Brown Brothers in Edinburgh who made ships’ stabilisers and steering gear. In addition he held a number of non-executive directorships with the Glasgow construction company Lilley’s, Edinburgh architects RMJM, Scottish Friendly Assurance Society and Friends’ Provident; he was also president of the Scottish Engineering Employers’ Association and chair of the Engineering Employers’ Federation Conference Committee.

A part-time member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board and of Caledonian Macbrayne’s Board, he also found time to be a member of the BBC’s Broadcasting Council for Scotland, vice chairman of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and to be involved in several public service bodies. To all of these activities he brought integrity, sound judgment, leadership and an ability to engage purposefully with people from across the social strata, which won him respect and affection.

Born in Glasgow to James and Gwen, Archie Gilchrist was the eldest of three sons, Peter and Iain the others. His father was a Scottish rugby internationalist out of Glasgow Accies and chairman of Barclay Curle. Archie attended Cargilfield Prep School in Edinburgh before going on to Loretto School - he demonstrated early evidence of his leadership qualities by being head boy at both schools.

Thereafter he went to Pembroke College at Cambridge University to study engineering and played a lot of rugby, being unfortunate not to gain a Blue.

National service with the Royal Scots Greys in Germany then intervened followed by a short period at sea as an engineering officer with the British India shipping line before he undertook an engineering apprenticeship with Alexander Stephens and Company at their Linthouse yard.

In 1954 he joined Barclay Curle, the fourth generation of his family to do so, and progressed to being director and general manager. Ten years later, having anticipated difficulties in the industry on the Clyde, he joined Brown Brothers and moved with his family to the Barnton area of Edinburgh where they remained.

While on a business trip to London in the early 1970s, he saw workers marching on Downing Street. When he learned this related to the collapse of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, he foresaw the huge potential economic and social consequences for Glasgow, the UK’s biggest shipbuilding centre. He became involved in a bid to preserve the industry and was appointed managing director of Govan Shipbuilders which took over three of the UCS yards.

Mr Gilchrist was instrumental in modernising practices, obtaining government funding and during his eight-year tenure no industrial disputes took place. Despite a 30 per cent increase in productivity, profitability was elusive due to market problems and in 1979 while at a meeting in London, he was unceremoniously informed he had been replaced. It was a shabby and shameful way to be treated, which appalled the workforce with whom he had established good relations.

After that he moved to Singapore where he enjoyed a successful six years at the helm of Vosper and was vice chairman of the British Business Association of Singapore.

On his return here in 1986, his services were much in demand. He accepted a number of non-executive director appointments and was awarded an OBE for services to Scotland, although many thought he merited higher honour.

In 1958 at Paisley Abbey he married Jeanette Greenlees, the couple having met the previous year in Milngavie. They enjoyed a happy and fulfilling marriage for 60 years and had three children, Jamie, Mungo and Arabella. He was always there for his family for whom he provided unconditional love and support. Although an accomplished high achiever, he was self deprecating and modest with an infectious sense of fun and humour, which set the tone for a happy household.

A keen sportsman, he enjoyed internationals at Murrayfield, indoor bowling, shooting, fishing, and golf at Bruntsfield and Muirfield where he had been a member since 1968. Walking safaris in Africa, particularly Zimbabwe where his brother Peter had settled, were other highlights.

He served on the governing bodies of the National Association of Boys’ Clubs, Glasgow Polytechnic College and the Council for National Academic Awards. He chaired the Council of St Leonard’s School, St Andrews and the governors of Cargilfield.

Other appointments included committee membership of the Royal Society for the Relief of Indigent Gentlewomen of Scotland and the Drake Music Project to further opportunities for disabled children play musical instruments.

He was an elder of Cramond Kirk for 50 years and sang in the choir. He derived much satisfaction from membership of BBC Broadcasting Council where he flagged up London’s need to react to impending devolution and dispensed sound advice on various issues, earning respect and appreciation from colleagues.

Music was a great passion. He was a founding board member of Scottish Opera in the early 1960s and between 1989 and ’94 he was vice chair of the RSNO. He and his wife attended concerts regularly and spent music holidays in Europe.

He is survived by his wife, children and six grandchildren.

JACK DAVIDSON