OBITUARIES

Rod Petrie CA

22 April 1956 – 21 August 2025

Roderick “Rod” Petrie (M13176) was a proud CA of over 40 years. He trained with Ernst & Young where he became Partner in the Aberdeen office. From there, he joined Quayle Munro’s Edinburgh office before moving to Hibernian FC in 1997.

His close involvement with Hibs began in 1991, when he advised the owner Sir Tom Farmer on the deal that brought the club out of receivership. Rod was invited to join the board five years later, and was appointed Managing Director the following year. In 2004 he became Chairman. He was renowned for a robust operating model which ensured the club never faced the financial uncertainty that dogged other clubs around Scotland. 

With Sir Tom’s support, he oversaw Easter Road stadium’s redevelopment and established the club training ground in East Lothian. Under Rod’s leadership, Hibs reached five Scottish FA Cup finals, famously winning the trophy for the first time in 114 years in 2016, with a stoppage time goal from captain David Gray securing a 3-2 win over Rangers.

Rod stepped down as Chairman and left the board in 2019, following the sale of the club – a deal he was instrumental in negotiating. But his involvement in the professional game continued beyond club level. He had already proven himself as an administrator at national level – becoming a Vice-President of the Scottish Football Association in 2011, and playing a significant role in the establishment of the Scottish Premier League in 1998 and the SFA’s purchase of Hampden Park, which was concluded in 2020 – and he became President of the SFA the year he left Hibs. He held the post until 2023, leading Scottish football through the Covid crisis and securing Hampden as a venue for the delayed 2020 European Championship.

He spent nearly 30 years in professional football. The SFA’s current President, Mike Mulraney, told the BBC: “It was always easier having Rod on your team. None more so than during the Covid-19 pandemic when, even while quietly contending with ill health, he remained steadfast in our collective objective to secure the survival of all member clubs during an unprecedented period of uncertainty.

“Rod was also great company, someone with a devilish sense of humour who cared passionately about the game. He will be missed by all of us.”

He is survived by his partner Morag, his sons Roderick (also a CA) and Kenneth and his four grandchildren.

...........................................

Alexander Laird CA

Alexander Fraser Laird (M05630) has died aged 99. He trained with McDonald & Gordon CA, qualifying in 1953. He was working for the Glenrothes Development Corporation when he retired and was living in Edinburgh at his time of death. He received Gold Club membership in 2003.

........................................... 

Colin Dawson CA

Colin Alastair Courtenay Dawson (M12988) has died aged 75. He trained with Thomson McLintock & Co, qualifying in 1979. He was retired and living in Glasgow at his time of death.

........................................... 

John Johnston CA

John Johnston (M06463) has died aged 90. He trained with Todd & Gordon CA, qualifying in 1957. He was working for Kidson Impey when he retired and was living in Paisley at his time of death. He received Gold Club membership in 2007.

........................................... 

Tom Williamson CA

Tom Williamson (M09732) has died aged 82. He trained with Wyllie Guild & McIntyre, qualifying in 1968. He was working for Hays Chemicals when he retired and was living in Lanark at his time of death. He received Gold Club membership in 2018.

...........................................