News of our Members

Freeman Steve Wood, Managing Director of the Ecclesiastical, has been appointed the Prince of Wales’ ambassador in the South-West. This is an honorary title awarded to Mr Wood for his leadership and commitment to responsible business in the region.

On 17 June, Liveryman John Cumming received an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Edinburgh Napier University. The Laureation by Stewart Falconer, Head of the School of Accounting, Economics and Statistics, follows:
“Chancellor, it is my privilege to present Mr John Cumming the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

John Cumming retired in April 1993 following a very successful business career in the insurance and financial services industry. Born in Edinburgh, he served in the Royal Air Force after leaving school before beginning his career in 1955 when he joined the Royal Insurance Group as a Resident Inspector. John acknowledges himself that, at the time he wasn’t really sure why he decided to make the move into the insurance sector. Little did he know then, of course, just how exciting and varied his career was going to be – and that he would subsequently come to be referred to as an insurance guru.

In 1960 he joined BUPA ultimately becoming Deputy General Manager. During the recession-hit 1970s John was headhunted by the Guinness Peat Group to resolve problems there and then moved to the Medical Insurance Agency as Managing Director. He then moved to become Chairman and CEO of Tozer Philips Group and then MD of NRG (UK) Holdings. Finally, in 1990, he had his finest hour, or 90 days as it became known, when he masterminded the recovery of the ailing Anglo American Insurance Group, setting up a full insurance organisation from scratch in just 90 days. John has held many other business and educational appointments.

Since his retirement he and his wife, Ann, set up the CumingaSaga Trust which supports many education projects, particularly in Orkney.”

Author Len Walters

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