Brian Souter | |
|---|---|
 2014 by Calum Cape | |
| Born | 5 May 1954 Perth, Scotland |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Title | Chairman, Stagecoach Group |
| Spouse | Betty Souter |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Dame Ann Gloag (sister) |
| Website | briansouter |
Sir Brian Souter (born 5 May 1954) is a Scottish businessman. With his sister, Dame Ann Gloag, he founded the Stagecoach Group of bus and rail operators. He also founded the bus and coach operator Megabus, the train operating company South West Trains, his investments company Souter Holdings Ltd, and the Souter Charitable Trust.
Souter has been politically active in Scotland, and supported the Scottish National Party (SNP) financially. In 2000, when the Scottish Executive proposed to repeal Section 2A of the Local Government Act, which prevented local authorities from "promoting homosexuality", Souter started the Keep the Clause campaign to oppose their plans, spending £1 million of his own money to organise a private referendum across Scotland. This campaign and other controversial statements have led opponents to accuse him of homophobia.
In 2011, he was knighted for services to transport and the voluntary sector.[1] The honour was criticised by Scottish Labour Party politicians and by gay rights campaigners.
In October 2019, Souter announced the donation of 28% of the total shares in Souter Investments to charitable causes, with an estimated value of £109 million. This was described in The Scotsman as "what could be the largest charitable donation by a Scot since ... Andrew Carnegie". This came after Souter's charitable trust had already spent over £98 million supporting "13,000 worthwhile causes" over 13 years.[2]
According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Souter and his sister Ann Gloag are worth £730 million, a decrease of £145 million from the previous year.[3]
- ^ "Brian Souter knighted in Queen's birthday honours". BBC News. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- ^ "Sir Brian Souter makes massive £109m donation as charities experience 'perfect storm'". The Scotsman. 22 October 2019.
- ^ Times, The Sunday. "Rich List 2020: profiles 101-199=, featuring Sir Paul McCartney and Joanne Rowling". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2 September 2020.