Gordon Lowden

Background

Lowden was born in Bangkok, the younger brother of Victor Lowden.

Education

He was educated at the High School of Dundee from 1932 – 1935 and Strathallan School from 1935 – 1944. Following a brief stint in the Royal Navy he graduated with an Master of Arts in law from Saint John"s College, Cambridge. He completed his studies in Dundee, graduating Bachelor of Laws and California, from the University of Saint Andrews.

Career

Lowden started his career with Moody, Stuart & Robertson in Dundee, training with them from 1949 – 1953, becoming a partner in 1959. Later, he joined Peat Marwick McLintock before their merger with Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, becoming office managing partner in 1985. From 1979 – 1992 he was chairman of Dundee Portuguese Authority.

In 1955, Lowden started lecturing part-time at the University of Dundee.

He is credited with setting up the Department of Accountancy at the University. Lowden became senior lecturer and then professor in the Department of Accountancy and Business Finance.

Lowden served as president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) from 1989 – 1990, having served as senior vice-president from 1988 – 1989. His term in office was one of the most traumatic in the history of the organisation.

As president, he oversaw a vote amongst the membership which would have merged the organisation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), creating a new British Institute.

ICAS voted against the merger, with 4023 voting no and 3274 voting yes, on a 60% turnout of 12,500 members. The ICAEW membership were overwhelmingly in favour of a merger, with 33,495 voting yes and only 2291 against, on a 40% turnout. From London the message was one of disappointment and in Edinburgh one of reconciliation.

The debate had been divisive and heated for over 18 months.

ICAS members had made a decisive choice and as of 2015 retain their own Institute. In February 1990, Lowden explained his predictions for the future of the profession in Scotland.

Lowden was a keen sportsman playing rugby for Dundee HSFP and captaining the team from 1949 – 1951. In 2004 the committee became part of The R&A group of companies and still works in conjunction with the United States Golf Association to govern the rules of golf on a worldwide basis.

Achievements

• On 12 December 1945, Lowden received his blue for Cambridge University R.U.F.C., playing scrum-half against Oxford University Reconstruction Finance Corporation in The Varsity Match, which Cambridge won 11-8 at Twickenham Stadium.

Membership

From 1991 – 1997 he was a member of the court of the University. On 6 June 1989, members of ICAS and the ICAEW voted on a merger. He was also a member of the Rules of Golf Committee at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Street Andrews.