Ann Gloag facts for kids

Ann Heron Gloag is a Scottish businesswoman and a strong supporter of charities. She is well-known for helping to start the transport company Stagecoach Group.

In 2024, Ann Gloag and her brother, Sir Brian Souter, were reported to have a lot of wealth. They owned Beaufort Castle in the Scottish Highlands, which was put up for sale in 2023. This castle is very old, first built in the 1100s. Ann Gloag bought the large estate in 1994.

Ann Gloag's Early Life and Career

Ann Gloag went to school at Caledonian Road Primary School and Perth High School. After school, she trained to be a nurse. She worked as a nurse for 20 years, helping people in a special unit for burns.

Ann Gloag is also a trustee for the charity Mercy Ships. This charity uses hospital ships to provide medical care to people in need around the world.

Starting Stagecoach Group

In 1980, Ann Gloag started the Stagecoach Group with her brother, Brian Souter. They used money from their father, who used to be a bus driver. Their first bus routes went from Dundee to London.

The company grew quickly. In the early 1990s, Stagecoach bought many other bus companies across the UK. They expanded their services to places like Cumberland, Hampshire, and East Midlands. They also bought bus operations in Scotland, Newcastle, London, and Manchester.

Manston Airport and Its Closure

In November 2013, Ann Gloag bought Kent International Airport, also known as Manston Airport, for a small amount of money. She had a co-director, Pauline Bradley, who was a lawyer.

Even though staff were told there would be long-term investment, the airport management announced plans to close it in April 2014. This made airlines like KLM stop their flights from Manston. Many offers were made to buy the airport, but it closed on May 15, 2014. This caused 144 jobs at the airport to be lost.

Some people, including Sir Roger Gale, a Member of Parliament, were very upset about the closure. They called it "corporate vandalism." Groups like Save Manston Airport continued to campaign for the airport to reopen. In 2017, planning inspectors said the site should be used for aviation.

Ann Gloag's Personal Life and Charity Work

Ann Gloag has owned Beaufort Castle since 1995. She also owns Kinfauns Castle near Perth, Scotland, which she bought in 2004.

Ann Gloag married David McCleary in 1990. He was a successful business owner. Ann Gloag is a member of the Church of the Nazarene.

She started the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, a charity that helps women in Africa. She also helped produce a documentary film called Shout Gladi Gladi. This film explains health issues faced by women in Africa. Ann Gloag supports many international aid charities. She has also adopted a boy from Kenya and has a Kenyan grandson.

In October 2024, it was announced that some charges against Ann Gloag and family members were dropped.

Awards and Recognitions

Ann Gloag has received important awards for her work. In 2004, she was given the OBE award for her charity work.

In 2019, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This was for her services to business and her generous support of charities.