Martin Gilbert, one of the financial sector’s most celebrated leaders, has joined Aberdeen social care charity VSA as Honorary President.
Mr. Gilbert, who last week stood down from the board of Standard Life Aberdeen, has agreed to help lead the charity into the future as it looks to emerge from the tough challenges of keeping all its residents and staff safe during the Coronavirus crisis.
As Honorary President, Mr. Gilbert will work alongside Fiona Kennedy, the Aberdeen-born singing star who is also an honorary president, in helping shape the future direction of the charity and support its amazing work.
The charity provides around 2million hours of support for approximately 2,000 vulnerable people in Aberdeen and surrounding areas from birth to end of life care.
Mr. Gilbert, 64, founded Aberdeen Asset Management more than 36 years ago and was instrumental in pushing through its £11 billion merger with Standard Life in 2017. He became co-CEO and vice chairman of the merged Standard Life Aberdeen which has more than $500 billion of assets under management. He is one of the longest-serving asset management leaders in the City. He stood down from the board last week and leaves the business entirely in September.
Martin is chairman of the digital banking business Revolut and chairman of the fund manager Toscafund, as well as a non-executive director of Glencore and previous deputy chairman of Sky.
Mr Gilbert said: “I’m delighted and honoured to accept the position of honorary president of such a fantastic charity.
“The city of Aberdeen has been the base upon which we have been able to build a global brand and I can’t think of a better way to give something back to my home city than supporting the amazing work VSA does for the most vulnerable people in our society.”
VSA CEO Kenneth Simpson said he was delighted to be able to welcome the much-respected city veteran into the VSA family.
“Martin is not only well known in the City of London and Aberdeen but he has a global presence and brings with him a massive amount of knowledge and wisdom that will help us drive forward to support the most vulnerable people in our care. There is no doubt that as we emerge from the Coronavirus that we will face even more significant challenges and Martin’s support will be invaluable.”