George Gillon, a non-executive director with the Stewart Milne Group, Scotland’s largest independent housebuilder, has been made a Sheriff of London.

Gillon was born in Aberdeenshire but built his reputation in the City with international consultants Drivers Jonas & Richard Ellis. He is a liveryman of the Chartered Surveyors’ Company, having served as Master from 2002-2003. Other positions he has held include CBI London Council member, Governor of the City of London’s School for Girls, the Chartered Surveyors’ and the Caledonian Club Charitable Trusts and the Honourable Irish Society. Gillon is supported by his escort, Delva Patman, also a Past Master Chartered Surveyor, an Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and senior partner of her own specialist surveying practice.

Gillon’s latest accolade dates back to the 7th century and is of long-standing importance in the government of the City of London, its holders also take an increasing role in supporting the Lord Mayor and City Corporation in promoting and sustaining the Square Mile and the wider UK-based financial and related business sector, for example in meeting senior business and political visitors from overseas.

Their duties include attending the Lord Mayor in carrying out official and ceremonial duties, attending the sessions at the Central Criminal Court in the Old Bailey and presenting petitions from the City to Parliament at the Bar at the House of Commons. One of the conditions to be a candidate for Lord Mayor is to have served as Sheriff.

Gillon was born in the same village as Stewart Milne, Tough, where his father, the Rev. George Gillon was the local minister. The family moved to Carnoustie and Gillon, on leaving Arbroath High School, read Architecture at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee.

Gillon was invited to join the Board of Stewart Milne Group in 2003. Stewart Milne, Chairman & Chief Executive of the company said:

“George Gillon has vast experience of the housebuilding and construction industry and our company benefits greatly from being able to draw on that. We congratulate him, particularly as he is one of the few Scots to win this City of London award.

September 2008