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The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Visionary Glaswegian who played key role in transforming Leith dies
Died: April 2025 Terry Smith, who has died aged 78, was a leading figure in Forth Ports plc who played a key role in the regeneration of Leith and was instrumental in setting up The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. He spent 15 years as property director at Forth Ports, during which time Leith improved beyond all recognition. Some of Edinburgh's most underused land was transformed into desirable residential property and restaurants. Ocean Terminal shopping and leisure complex was created, the new Scottish Office built and a prestigious home found for the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which has grown into a magnificent tourist attraction, often voted number 1 in the UK on Trip Advisor. Without Terry's vision, creativity and determination, Britannia would undoubtedly have gone elsewhere. Terry's sense of innovation attracted many designers to the area including the architect Terence Conran, who was responsible for designing Ocean Terminal, which commands incredible views of the port. And Ken McCulloch, creator of One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, renovated the former Sailors' Home into the boutique Malmaison Hotel on Tower Place along the Shore, which is complemented by Terry's carefully commissioned ornate ironworks. By driving the change in this vibrant and attractive community, Terry was even able to lure the famed MTV music awards to Leith in 2003. In his time, the company also launched Forthside, encompassing major developments at Granton Harbour, Western Harbour and Port of Leith, which together cover about 450 acres and over two miles of shoreline. Terry supported the initial bid for the establishment of the Edinburgh Trams, linking the airport, railway stations and cruise liners to the seaport, establishing the Port of Leith as the heart of the waterfront city area. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Building and served as a director of Leith Enterprise Trust, Leith Chamber of Commerce and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. Not one to rest on his laurels, he remained on the board of trustees for the Royal Yacht Britannia for the rest of his life. The attraction's website notes 'he played a key role in the regeneration of Leith and was instrumental in setting up The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust'. The Forth Ports team, led by the former CEO of 25 years, Bob Downie, also went on to secure and renovate the Fingal, a former Northern Lighthouse Board Ship, into the award-winning luxury floating boutique hotel that can be seen today, docked not far from Britannia in Alexandra Dock. Terry was born in Kelvindale, Glasgow. His parents, Terence and Dorothy, met on shore leave from the Navy – his dad was stationed on mine sweepers in the Mediterranean and his mother was a Wren. They went on to be a builder and shorthand typist respectively. Terry had an elder brother, Hamish, who moved to Trinidad in his early twenties, married Heather and built his life and family out there. He also had two younger twin sisters; Isobel remained in Glasgow with her husband Douglas, but Maggie also travelled extensively for work with her husband Frank and their children. Read more Growing up, Terry displayed a passion for vehicles, and from an early age would cobble together bogies using old pram wheels with built-in brakes. Over the years, this tinkering, turned into a solid hobby and at age 24, his Metron car design was subject to a two-page spread in Motor Magazine. He enjoyed racing several of his creations on the hill-climbing circuit for many years. More recently he developed the unique Marcos Evolution XP, Charterhall Speedster and Unipower Evolution car designs, which were displayed and admired at the Thirlestane Festival of Motoring, among others. His practical upbringing steered him towards the College of Building and Printing in Glasgow, where Terry studied and trained to be a quantity surveyor. After applying for jobs in both the motor and construction industry, it was contractor company Gilbert-Ash that laid the pathway of his future career. He soon became head of their general works department, taking on smaller jobs which led to more lucrative assignments. It was while working on the Cameron Toll development in Edinburgh that he was spotted and approached to join Forth Ports. In 1971 Terry met Janis, who become the love of his life. By 1977 he and Janis, a primary school teacher, had welcomed their three children, Martin, Julia and Marina, all of whom have gone on to their own fulfilling careers, as film director, ceramicist and Destination Tweed Project Manager respectively. Over the years, Terry renovated and built several properties for his family. First, he converted an Old Coach House in Helensburgh, with the help of his father Terence. Then he moved on to a newbuild on an old market garden site in Edinburgh. And, keeping the Leith legacy alive, he converted one of the few remaining single-level houses, the old Gate Keeper's Office, into a home for his son Martin. Terry Smith with a propeller from the Royal Yacht Britannia (Image: Contributed) There aren't many people who didn't recognise Terry around Leith docks and his combination of practical skills, innovative thinking and approachability made him a well-liked and respected figure. At the time of his retirement Terry was congratulated by his team on his significant achievements and by the Britannia Board for his outstanding contribution and kindness. Bob Downie, founding chief executive of The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal Hotel, paid tribute to 'Terry's incredible vision, determination and resulting great success, for which I am extremely grateful'. Terry is survived by his wife Janis, children Martin, Julia and Marina and grandchildren Thomas and Fergus. MARINA PIPER At The Herald, we carry obituaries of notable people from the worlds of business, politics, arts and sport but sometimes we miss people who have led extraordinary lives. That's where you come in. If you know someone who deserves an obituary, please consider telling us about their lives. Contact
Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scotsman Obituaries: Terry Smith, visionary Forth Ports Property Director who helped transform Leith
Terence Smith, Property Director, Forth Ports. Born: February 1947 in Kelvindale, Glasgow. Died: April 2025 at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, aged 78 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Terry Smith retired from Forth Ports plc in 2006, having spent more than 15 years as Property Director, during which time Leith improved beyond all recognition. Some of Edinburgh's most underused land was transformed into desirable residential property and restaurants. Ocean Terminal shopping and leisure complex was created, the new Scottish Office built and a prestigious home found for the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which has grown into a magnificent tourist attraction, often voted number 1 in the UK on Trip Advisor. Without Terry's vision, creativity and determination, Britannia would undoubtedly have gone elsewhere. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Terry's sense of innovation attracted many designers to the area including the architect Terence Conran, who was responsible for designing Ocean Terminal, which commands incredible views of the port. And Ken McCulloch, creator of One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, renovated the former Sailors' Home into the boutique Malmaison Hotel on Tower Place along the Shore, which is complemented by Terry's carefully commissioned ornate ironworks. Terry Smith at the time of the 2003 Citizens exhibition in Ocean Terminal Picture: Trevor E R Yerbury By driving the change in this vibrant and attractive community, Terry was even able to lure the famed MTV music awards to Leith in 2003. In his time, the company also launched Forthside, encompassing major developments at Granton Harbour, Western Harbour and Port of Leith, which together cover about 450 acres and over two miles of shoreline. Terry supported the initial bid for the establishment of the Edinburgh Trams, linking the airport, railway stations and cruise liners to the seaport, establishing the Port of Leith as the heart of the waterfront city area. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Building and served as a Director of Leith Enterprise Trust, Leith Chamber of Commerce and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Not one to rest on his laurels, Terry remained on the Board of Trustees for the Royal Yacht Britannia for the rest of his life. The attraction's website notes 'he played a key role in the regeneration of Leith and was instrumental in setting up The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust'. The Forth Ports team, led by the former CEO of 25 years, Bob Downie, also went on to secure and renovate the Fingal, a former Northern Lighthouse Board Ship, into the award-winning luxury floating boutique hotel that can be seen today, docked not far from Britannia in Alexandra Dock. Terry was born in Glasgow. His parents, Terence and Dorothy, met on shore leave from the Navy – his dad was stationed on mine sweepers in the Mediterranean and his mother was a Wren. They went on to be a builder and shorthand typist respectively. Terry had an elder brother, Hamish, who moved to Trinidad in his early twenties, married Heather and built his life and family out there. He also had two younger twin sisters; Isobel remained in Glasgow with her husband Douglas, but Maggie also travelled extensively for work with her husband Frank and their children. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Growing up, Terry displayed a passion for vehicles, and from an early age would cobble together bogies using old pram wheels with built-in brakes. Over the years, this tinkering, turned into a solid hobby and at age 24 his Metron car design was subject to a two-page spread in Motor Magazine. He enjoyed racing several of his creations on the hill-climbing circuit for many years. More recently he developed the unique Marcos Evolution XP, Charterhall Speedster and Unipower Evolution car designs, which were displayed and admired at the Thirlestane Festival of Motoring, among others. His practical upbringing steered him towards the College of Building and Printing in Glasgow, where Terry studied and trained to be a quantity surveyor. After applying for jobs in both the motor and construction industry, it was contractor company Gilbert-Ash that laid the pathway of his future career. He soon became head of their general works department, taking on smaller jobs which led to more lucrative assignments. It was while working on the Cameron Toll development in Edinburgh that he was spotted and approached to join Forth Ports. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In 1971 Terry met Janis, who become the love of his life. By 1977 he and Janis, a primary school teacher, had welcomed their three children, Martin, Julia and Marina, all of whom have gone on to their own fulfilling careers, as film director, ceramicist and Destination Tweed Project Manager respectively. Over the years, Terry renovated and built several properties for his family. First, he converted an Old Coach House in Helensburgh, with the help of his father Terence. Then he moved on to a newbuild on an old market garden site in Edinburgh. And, keeping the Leith legacy alive, he converted one of the few remaining single-level houses, the old Gate Keeper's Office, into a home for his son Martin. There aren't many people who didn't recognise Terry around Leith docks and his combination of practical skills, innovative thinking and approachability made him a well-liked and respected figure. At the time of his retirement Terry was congratulated by his team on his significant achievements and by the Britannia Board for his outstanding contribution and kindness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bob Downie, founding Chief Executive of The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal Hotel, paid tribute to 'Terry's incredible vision, determination and resulting great success, for which I am extremely grateful'. Terry is survived by his wife Janis, children Martin, Julia and Marina and grandchildren Thomas and Fergus. Obituaries
The Courier
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Courier Business Awards 2025: Transition to Net Zero
Entries are now open for The Courier Business Awards 2025 Transition to Net Zero category. The Courier Business Awards, held in partnership with Henderson Loggie, celebrates the achievements of companies operating in Tayside, Fife and Stirling. Since the awards started more than a decade ago, we've heard about the exceptional service offered, innovative products and solutions brought to the market and remarkable growth stories. Entries are now open – we can't wait to hear more about your accomplishments over the past 12 months. Winning a hotly contested Courier Business Award is a fantastic achievement for any business. It means a winning company is a leader in its sector and can be used to promote its products and services. It is also a boost for staff to know the work they do has been recognised. Our winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony held at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee this October, which brings together hundreds of business leaders for a night to remember. Entering is simple and free. We'd love to hear about your business. The Transition to Net Zero category is sponsored by Forth Ports. This award is open to any business offering products or services to help the transition to net zero. It is also open to companies, in any sector, who have undergone changes to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Winner will demonstrate: Entries close at 5pm on Monday July 14. Click here to enter the Courier Business Awards 2025 Transition to Net Zero category. Thank you to Forth Ports for sponsoring the Transition to Net Zero category. Forth Ports was established in 1967 and has grown to be the third largest port operator group in the UK and the largest in Scotland. Operating seven strategically located ports, Forth Ports Scotland provides fast and efficient access to major industry hubs and 70% of the Scottish population. Forth Ports Dundee is a significant economic driver for the city and through investment has positioned itself as a market leader within the offshore renewables market.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Port of Tilbury could expand by 100 acres under new plan in Essex
Plans have been submitted to expand the Port of Tilbury by 100 acres (40ha) in work on the north bank of the Thames estuary could begin in 2026, with owner Forth Ports hoping it would be operational by executive Stuart Wallace said it was an "exciting time" for the port, which could bring trade, investment and sent to Thurrock Council showed the Tilbury3 (T3) project would focus on brownfield land that once housed a power station. The area of land that could be developed is equivalent in size to 70 football Ports said T3 would benefit from tax breaks due to its designation as as part of the Thames Freeport where normal tax and tariff rules do not proposals suggested it could accommodate warehouses, container handling infrastructure and vehicles. "This is an exciting time for the Port of Tilbury as we submit our plans for Tilbury3," Mr Wallace said."T3 will sustain existing roles and create many new jobs, contribute to the local economy and future-proof the Port of Tilbury in supporting the economies of Greater London and the south-east."The company said it would create habitats for protected species in the area during the planned to submit a detailed planning application if outline approval was granted. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Edinburgh Reporter
27-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Deep water berth declared officially open
The new offshore renewables berth in Leith Docks was officially opened this week. The facility will be able to host the largest offshore wind construction vessels in the world, including those working on Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, creating around 50 new jobs. The new berth has been named after the former CEO of Forth Ports, Charles Hammond. Mr Hammond who stepped down after 23 years in the position was on hand to conduct the ceremony by unveiling a sculpture sited at the berth. The 7 feet structure has been created by Borders-based craftsman, Daniel Lacey, using a reclaimed wind turbine blade. The berth is the latest in the development of the port in a multi million pound investment, and will make Leith a world class renewables hub. Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group, said: 'Today marks another important milestone in the history of Forth Ports and the transformation of the Port of Leith. Ahead of market demand, we have created a world class piece of infrastructure for Scotland as the nation starts to deliver the first wave of larger offshore wind projects taking shape in the North Sea. This, alongside our investment in the Port of Dundee, has created two purpose-built assembly terminals to meet the immediate needs of Scotland's offshore wind sector. 'These assets are part of Forth Ports' vision aimed at addressing the UK's port capacity required for the deployment of these projects, keeping the activity here in Scotland and the UK. This port infrastructure will be here for the long term and will become part of our sustainable future. 'Naming the berth after Charles couldn't be a more fitting tribute to his leadership and we are proud to have his name on the berth as part of his legacy.' Charles Hammond OBE said: 'This is a real honour for me and I am humbled that this high-quality berth features my name. During my time as Chief Executive, Leith and its port have gone through significant change and transition. However, this investment in the new renewables berth is the biggest transformation of the port in a generation. 'With the continued support of private businesses like Forth Ports, and a collaborative approach with both the UK and Scottish governments, there is a real opportunity to see a significant pipeline of projects delivered from here, creating economic benefit for Leith, Edinburgh and Scotland as well as assisting the UK in achieving its Net Zero targets. 'My thanks to Stuart and the team for this and I wish Forth Ports every success as the business continues on its upwards trajectory.' Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: 'It's a privilege to attend the formal opening of the Charles Hammond Berth at the Port of Leith today. This investment of more than £100 million from Forth Ports represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking infrastructure Scotland needs as we accelerate our journey toward net zero. The berth isn't just a fitting tribute to Charles Hammond's leadership; it's a powerful statement about Scotland's commitment to renewable energy and green jobs. 'This has the potential to support thousands of high-quality jobs and position the Firth of Forth as a central driver of Scotland's just energy transition. The UK Government, through our Plan for Change, is proud to support this reindustrialisation that puts Scotland at the forefront of offshore wind development.' Tracy Gilbert, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: 'With this new berth, we've got the infrastructure to support the biggest offshore projects out there. But beyond that, it's about building skills, attracting investment, and making sure local people feel the benefits of the green energy transition. Leith's got everything it needs to lead the way.' The Danish turbine manufacturer, Vestas, has identified the Port of Leith's Renewables Hub as a possible location for a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility. While a final investment decision has not been made, the company has initiated the planning application process with the City of Edinburgh Council for the facility. Charles Hammond (Former Forth Ports CEO) L-R: Ben Macpherson MSP, Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports, Charles Hammond OBE, Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Tracy Gilbert, MP for Leith, at the unveiling of a sculpture marking the naming of the Charles Hammond Berth at the Leith Renewables Hub, with the Kittiwake Tug in the background providing the salute with its water cannons. L-R: Stuart Wallace (Forth Ports CEO) and Charles Hammond (Former Forth Ports CEO) Like this: Like Related
