Education
Purvis served as a second lieutenant in the Scots Guards (1956-1958) and graduated Master of Arts (Honours) from the University of Street Andrews (1962).
Member of the European Parliament politician
Purvis served as a second lieutenant in the Scots Guards (1956-1958) and graduated Master of Arts (Honours) from the University of Street Andrews (1962).
He has farming and property interests in North East Fife and has extensive knowledge of the international financial services industry, having worked in the sector for several decades and having later contributed his expertise on relevant committees in the European Parliament. He worked for First National City Bank in London, New York and Milan (1962-1969) and was Treasurer of merchant bank Noble Grossart Limited in Edinburgh (1969-1973). He was Managing Director and Chairman of Gilmerton Management Services Limited Street Andrews (1973-1986) and Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (1986-1997).
He received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990.
He also served on European Union delegations to the Gulf States and to Middle Eastern countries and served on the European Union Committee of Inquiry into the Equitable Life Assurance Society crisis. During his 15 years as an Member of the European Parliament, Purvis produced a number of major reports which helped to shape European Union policy – notably on biotechnology (supporting General Motors foods), telecommunications and financial regulation.
In 2001, Purvis spoke out against the legality of actions by Customs and Excise officers who were confiscating alcohol and tobacco bought for personal use from travellers returning from the European Union saying such actions were illegal. In 2002, Purvis stated that he supported the building of a new airport in central Scotland as an alternative to upgrading the airports at Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Since standing down in 2009, Purvis has continued to serve in Europe as Chairman of Financial Future which provides a means of dialogue between the financial services industries of Europe and the European Union’s legislators.
He is also Chairman of Belgrave Capital Management in London, a Director of Kingdom FM Radio Limited., Fife, and Advisor to the Board of Elmwood College in Cupar (2012). In 2008, it was alleged that Purvis may have breached rules regarding parliamentary expenses and the payment of staff through a company. Purvis said at the time that he sought clarification from the relevant authorities and such clarification was not forthcoming.
During his second term as an Member of the European Parliament, Purvis was Vice Chairman of the European Parliament"s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (2002-2009) and a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (1999-2009).