Jack Shaw (accountant) facts for kids

Sir John Calman Shaw CBE FRSE (born July 10, 1932 – died April 5, 2021) was an important Scottish businessman. He was known for his work at the Bank of Scotland. He served as the bank's chairman and Governor from 1999 to 2001. Before that, he was the deputy governor from 1991 to 1999. He also worked as a non-executive director from 1990 to 2001.

Early Life and Education

John Calman Shaw was born in Perth, Scotland. He went to school at Perth Academy and Strathallan School. After finishing school, he started an apprenticeship with a famous accounting firm. This firm was called Graham, Smart & Annan (GSA) in Edinburgh.

In 1953, he earned a law degree from the University of Edinburgh. The next year, in 1954, he became a qualified chartered accountant. From 1954 to 1956, Shaw served in the Royal Air Force. He was a pilot officer in Fighter Control, based in Germany.

After his military service, Shaw worked in London for two years. This was to gain more experience outside Edinburgh. While in London, he also completed the training needed to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He had already passed their exams before joining the Air Force.

Career Highlights

In 1960, Shaw returned to Edinburgh. He became a junior partner at GSA. He worked on several big projects there. One project involved the merger of two biscuit companies, Crawford's and McVitie & Price. They joined to become United Biscuits.

Shaw also worked on a special project with the University of Glasgow. They explored creating a Scottish Computer Education and Applied Research Centre (SCEARC). This center would help with education and research in using computers for managing money.

Joining Deloitte and Academia

Over time, GSA had built strong connections with other accounting firms. Many of these firms, including GSA, decided to merge. This helped them offer services across the whole United Kingdom. In 1973, GSA merged with Deloitte, Plender, Griffiths & Co (Deloittes). Deloittes was merging with many firms, and soon had over 200 partners. Thirteen of these partners were in Edinburgh.

While working at Deloittes, Shaw also taught part-time. He lectured at Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh. From 1977 to 1983, he was a part-time professor at the University of Glasgow. In 1980, he became a senior partner in Deloitte's Edinburgh office. In 1983, he was chosen as president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland for one year. He left Deloittes in 1986 to work for Scottish Financial Enterprise.

Leading Scottish Financial Enterprise

In 1986, Shaw became the first executive director of Scottish Financial Enterprise. This organization was funded by Scottish banks. Its goal was to promote Scotland's financial services industry. At first, some insurance companies and fund managers were unsure about joining. However, they eventually became members. Their main goal was to let companies outside Scotland know about the great financial services available there.

At the Bank of Scotland

In 1990, Shaw joined the Bank of Scotland as a non-executive director. A year later, in 1991, he became the deputy governor. In 1996, Shaw and the bank's board helped sell off a large part of Standard Life's shares in the bank. These shares were sold to other investors.

In 1999, Shaw became the Governor of the Bank of Scotland. Soon after, the bank tried to take over the National Westminster Bank, but it was not successful. The Bank of Scotland still wanted to merge with another suitable bank. On May 4, 2001, the Bank of Scotland and the Halifax bank agreed to a huge merger deal worth £30 billion.

In September 2001, a new company called HBOS was created from this merger. Its main office was in Edinburgh. Later that year, Shaw stepped down from his role at the Bank of Scotland. Sir Peter Burt took his place.

Other Important Roles

Sir John Calman Shaw held many other important positions during his career. He was a director of the Scottish American Investment Company. He also served as a director for Scottish Mortgage and Trust PLC from 1982 to 2001.

He was a member of the Universities Funding Council of Great Britain. He also served on the Higher Education Funding Council for England. While at the Bank of Scotland, he was chairman of Scottish Financial Enterprise from 1995 to 1999. He chaired the Scottish Funding Council from 1992 to 1998.

Shaw was also chairman of the Scottish American Investment Company from 1991 to 2001. He led the US Smaller Companies Investment Trust from 1991 to 1999. Other chairmanships included the TR European Growth Trust PLC, the Scottish Science Trust, and the Edinburgh Technology Fund. He also chaired the David Hume Institute and the Advanced Management Programme in Scotland. From 1990 to 2000, he was the deputy chairman of the Edinburgh International Festival Society.

He was a director of Scottish Metropolitan Property PLC and the Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust PLC. He also served as a director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Shaw was a board member of Scottish Enterprise and the Financial Reporting Council. He was part of the Scottish Economic Council and the University Court of the University of Edinburgh.

Death

Sir John Shaw and his wife, Shirley, retired to Dunkeld in Perthshire. However, his health declined, and they moved back to Edinburgh. He spent his later years in a care home in Cramond. Sir John Calman Shaw passed away on April 5, 2021.

Awards and Recognition

Sir John Calman Shaw received many honors for his contributions:

• He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1989.
• He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in 1994, which means he received the title "Sir."
• He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
• He received honorary degrees from several universities in 1998: the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, and the University of Abertay, Dundee.
• He also received honorary degrees from the University of St Andrews and Napier University in 1999.