This is the final week of my EY journey which started in 1988 - the year of anthems like, ‘The Only Way is Up’, 'Dignity' and ‘Perfect’ providing the soundtrack. It’s been an incredible trip, way better than I could have ever imagined - with amazing clients, talented colleagues, fantastic roles, and a lot of fun! I’m proud to have led and grown key parts of our FS business - Scotland Consulting, UK Risk and EMEIA Business Consulting. So, my overwhelming feeling is appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity and for the special people who made it possible. I wasn’t going to mention individuals because there are thousands to thank, and it’s always been about the team rather than individuals. So I say a massive THANK YOU to Team EY – In Scotland, UK, EMEIA and Globally! But I couldn’t escape without mentioning a few people as well: - Fellow Scottish travelers – Sue Dawe and Lynne Sneddon (day 1!), George Reid Peter Wallace Gary Logan Kristine Dickson David Brown Phillip Chatikobo, FRM, MCMI ChMC Michael Scoular Jen Houston Alistair Brannan Obaid Khawaja. Thank you for being true Scottish neighbours in the EY global village! - Leaders who put their faith in me – Howard Martin Geoffrey Godding, Stephen Gregory Chris Bowles Richard Brown Gareth Lambert Paul Maddox Paul Sparkes David Sellick Anna Anthony Federico Guerreri Alex Birkin Omar Ali. Thank You for the opportunities and your great support! - Successors – Dr. Sonja Körner Giovanni Andrea Incarnato Chris Richardson – Good luck with your roles and enjoy leading our amazing UK and EMEIA teams! - The rest of Team Risk including – Dr. Bernhard Hein, Kristin Bekkeseth Manuel Delgado Colmenero Shankar Mukherjee Stuart Crotaz Christopher Woolard CBE Patrick Craig Natalie Gjertsen Katie Roberts, and many more. Thank you for the great spirit of partnership and building such a brilliant business! - A special thank you to the late Tim Rooke – the best of us! - And finally, the biggest thank you to my wonderful family - for putting up with me…. and giving me the reason! Andonella Thomson, Francesca Thomson Gabriella Thomson – love you guys! The best bit of retirement (for me) will be spending it with you! What next? Music, economics, politics - supporting Scotland’s industrial strategy and green energy transition. But first festivals, food, fun, mountains and believe it or not, heart op' number 12 on Friday 13th… PURA VIDA😊!
Tim Brister
1w
Stuart, 20 years since we met in Mayfair at the Private Bank, where, with the help of many others, we left the Bank in a better place than that which we found it in. Since then, I’ve always valued your wise, calming, cheerful and inciteful advice. You have many attributes but, above all, you are a good person who deserves a long, healthy, happy retirement. Take care and I look forward to catching up soon Tim
Congratulations Stuart Thomson. What can I say? A truly remarkable career. You can sign-off with your head held high. Consistently outperforming at the highest level for decades is no mean fit. You have truly been an inspiration, a role model, a mentor, a coach and most of all, a great leader. My very own "Mr Miyagi" 😀 Myself and many more will miss you for all the reasons littered around the comments here. Those "What Would Stuart Thomson Do" t-shirts will be in high demand... Wish you all the best in the new chapter. You are the real "Odogwu".
Sue Dawe
1w
What an amazing journey you have had so far Stu-so many fantastic achievements and such an inspiration to so many. That first day in the board room at 39 Melville Street (12 September 1988!) seems like yesterday and I feel so privileged to have had you as a colleague and a good friend since then. I have really appreciated all the support and advice, and more importantly, the laughs along the way! You can be so proud of the legacy you are leaving and I can’t wait to see what you do next! Enjoy this next exciting phase and particularly the time with Andonella and the girls-you deserve it more than anyone!
Mehak Vasal
1w
An end of an era at EY and I am sure start of something equally brilliant somewhere else! Thank you for your top notch leadership, and kindness. You left a very positive impact on me and I am very grateful. I wish you only the very best and hope that our paths cross again. Have a great time with the family PS: I have some song selections as you walk out of the EY building - "So emotional" (also 1988!), “Freedom” -George M, “Another (amazing one!) bites the dust” - Queen, and “All good things” - Nelly Furtado :)
Stuart you will be so very missed. You are the real deal. A fantastic leader and a brilliant human. 🤩. A role model to so many of us. Love the photo and may every day be like that for you. 👏👏👏👏
All the very best and it’s truly inspiring..❤️
Chief Operating Officer, Hargreaves Lansdown
1wThis is how you manage a career. Truly outstanding. Thank you for being such an inspirational colleague, boss, mentor, and most importantly, a friend. Cathy and I are blessed to call you and Andonella our dear, dear friends. We look forward to sharing the next part of our lives all together. Here’s to a bit of rest, recuperation and the resurrection of our musical careers. #midlifecrisis With our heartfelt best wishes, gratitude and love for a truly lovely bloke… Gary and Cathy