Early Life
Sir Ian Clark Wood was born on July 21, 1942, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He received his education at Robert Gordon's College and later studied psychology at the University of Aberdeen, graduating in 1964.
Rise to Success
After completing his university education, Sir Ian joined the family business, John Wood & Son, a fishing business. In 1967, he became the managing director of the company. Under his leadership, the company transformed into a global corporation in the energy sector, Wood Group. He served as CEO from 1967 to 2006 and as chairman until 2012. During his tenure, the company expanded its operations to over 50 countries and became a significant player in the oil and gas industry.
Key Business Strategies
Ian Wood's key business strategies included expanding operations globally, diversifying into energy services, and taking the company public in 2002, which allowed for significant growth. His vision helped transform a modest local business into a multinational corporation, establishing a prominent presence in the oil and gas sector and employing over 40,000 people.
Philanthropy
In 2007, Sir Ian and his family established The Wood Foundation, a venture philanthropy organization. The foundation focuses on initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the tea industry, and youth development in Scotland. The Wood Foundation applies venture philanthropy principles, investing both money and expertise to achieve systemic change. He has also donated £4.5 million to Robert Gordon University to support oil and gas research.