Martin Gilbert, the founder and chief executive of Aberdeen Standard Investments, has accepted a post as a non-executive director of the European Tour.
Gilbert, 65, is retiring from ASI at the end of this month, with this week’s Ladies Scottish Open and next month’s Scottish Open being the last he attends in an official capacity for the financial services company he set up in 1983.
ASI has sponsored both men’s and women’s Scottish Opens for a decade, as well as set up individual sponsorships of professional players and the national amateur teams.
Gilbert said: “I am very much looking forward to this new chapter in my career. Business and golf have been two of the main passions in my life and so to be able to combine them in this position is very appealing.
“Under the leadership of David Williams and Keith Pelley, the European Tour has made great strides in many areas in recent years and I look forward to doing everything I can to assist them and the Tour in that forward momentum.”
David Williams, Chairman of the European Tour, said: “I am delighted to welcome Martin to the Board of the European Tour. His support for the European Tour and the Ladies European Tour over the years is appreciated and his career in international business and finance, combined with his wide ranging Board experience, will be of immense value as we chart the European Tour’s future direction.”