Alastair Salvesen, a member of one of Scotland’s distinguished business families and a patron of the arts and academia, has died at the age of 83.
Mr Salvesen was the great grandson of the Norwegian, Christian Fredrik Salvesen (1827–1911), who, in 1846, founded the Christian Salvesen whaling and shipping company, whose first venture was sponsoring a ship to catch herring. It later focused on haulage and its lorries became a familiar sight on Britain’s roads.
Alastair Salvesen built his own fortune through his many business interests and was said to be a billionaire.
A chartered accountant, his first job was at a towel and bedding maker in Montreal, Canada. He later worked in the UK’s electronics, housing, offshore drilling and food industries.
He was a leading figure in the UK seafood industry for more than 35 years and was chairman of Dawnfresh Seafoods, Scot Trout and RR Spink & Sons. He also chaired the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, Praha Investment Holdings and the Edinburgh New Town Cookery School.
He was keen to engage with new enterprises, becoming a member of the early-stage technology and science investor group Archangels from 2009 until he stepped down in March 2019.
Born in Fife in 1941, he was educated at Fettes College, and the College of Aeronautics in Cranfield prior to it becoming a university. He was awarded a degree in Advanced Engineering in 1966 and an MBA.
It was due to his initiative that the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre was founded at the University of Edinburgh. His donation recognised the fundamental importance of linking scientific, medical and societal research with high quality outreach in delivering evidence-based support to those in need.
The University of Edinburgh recognised him with an honorary doctorate in 2024, acknowledging his impact on Scotland, the arts, education and neurodiversity.
Sophie Dow co-founder of Mindroom, said: ”Alastair’s commitment to the importance of a neurodiverse society was personal, passionate and transformative.”
He was also keen to encourage environmental welfare and in 2020, he received £214,363 from the Common Agricultural Policy, which included £64,425 for Greening Practices including a Grey Partridge conservation project on the Whitburgh Farm Estate. He was president of the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland from 2001 to 2002.
