Robert Smith, Baron Smith of Kelvin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Smith of Kelvin
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 29 May 2008 Life Peerage |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Haldane Smith
8 August 1944 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Political party | Crossbench |
| Spouse |
Alison Marjorie Bell
(m. 1969) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Businessman, parliamentarian |
Robert Haldane Smith, Baron Smith of Kelvin, is a well-known Scottish businessman. He is also a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. He was born on August 8, 1944.
Lord Smith has held many important jobs. He was once the Governor of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). He is currently the Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde. He also leads the British Business Bank.
He is known for being a crossbench peer in the House of Lords. This means he does not belong to any single political party. This allows him to be independent in his decisions.
In 2014, after Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom, Lord Smith was given a special task. He was asked to lead a group to look at giving more powers to the Scottish Parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Smith grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. He went to a local school called Allan Glen's School.
After finishing school in 1963, he started studying at the University of Glasgow. However, he decided to change his career path. He chose to become a Chartered Accountant and finished his training in 1968.
Career in Business
Lord Smith has had a long and successful career in business and finance. He started his career at a company that later became 3i. In 1983, he joined the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Over the years, he has led many major companies. He was the chairman of The Weir Group, a large engineering company, for over ten years. He has also been a director for companies like Network Rail, which runs the UK's train tracks.
Important Leadership Roles
Lord Smith has used his skills to help with many public projects. Some of his key roles include:
- Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games: In 2008, he was chosen to lead the group that organized this major sporting event.
- UK Green Investment Bank: He was the first chairman of this bank, which was set up by the government to fund environmentally friendly projects.
- National Museums of Scotland: He was the chairman of the board of trustees, helping to look after Scotland's national collections.
He has also advised the Scottish Government on economic matters and issues related to education.
Personal Life
Robert Smith married Alison Marjorie Bell in 1969. When he was knighted in 1999, she became Lady Smith. They have two daughters.
Lord and Lady Smith enjoy spending time in South Africa, where they own a vineyard and a guesthouse.
Honours and Recognition
Lord Smith has received many awards for his work in business and public service.
Titles and Honours
In 2008, he was made a Baron Smith of Kelvin, which gave him a lifetime seat in the House of Lords.
In 2014, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Thistle. This is Scotland's highest honour.
In 1999, he was made a Knight Bachelor by the Queen, which allowed him to use the title "Sir".
In 2016, he was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his public service.
Academic Awards
Several universities have given him honorary degrees to recognise his achievements. These include the universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Strathclyde.
In 2015, he won the Royal Society of Edinburgh/Adam Smith Medal for his leadership. He was also made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2016.
