Respected businessman William Douglass loses cancer fight

Jan 9 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-respected North East businessman who died of bone cancer at the age of 43.

William Douglass, from Jesmond, Newcastle, was diagnosed with the illness late last summer and died on January 2 following a brave fight.

The father-of-two was a divisional director of Brewin Dolphin, the investment management business in Newcastle.

Last night Charles May, managing director of Brewin Dolphin, said: William will be greatly missed. A much-respected divisional director, he always demonstrated unfailing courtesy, charm and good humour. William had been with the firm for more than 20 years and in that time he rose to a senior position.

He managed the investments of very many important clients together with taking responsibility for the training of investment managers.

He developed excellent relationships with many important local professional businesses and was a first-class ambassador for the firm.

Mr Douglass, who was born and raised in Newcastle, was educated in Scotland at Merchiston Castle School and Dundee University before joining Brewin Dolphin in 1989.

In his position as divisional director he managed around £150m of funds for private and public trusts, and was responsible for the training needs of the Newcastle offices.

Mr May said: He was a keen tennis player and loved walking on the Northumberland coast.

He was first and foremost a family man and our sympathies go to his wife Sandra and his two boys Paddy and Toby together with his wider family.

A memorial service will take place at St Georges Church, Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, on Monday at 10.30am.