Property Developer
Property Developer
Born: October 10 1931; Died: November 10 2014.
ALLAN Campbell Fraser, who has died aged 83, was a high-profile property developer who was responsible for projects around the world.
He was born and brought up in Glasgow and went on to study quantity surveying, architecture, civil and structural engineering, economics, law and accountancy at The College of Estate Management and The Royal College of Science and Technology (now the University of Strathclyde).
His passion for sailing developed when he joined the university sailing club and it was here he met Joyce whom he married in 1959. His other passions were salmon fishing and painting.
He began his working life as a quantity surveyor and at the age of 29 he set up a successful company, Thornwall, manufacturing and erecting modular building systems.
He went on to develop an outstanding career in property development and investment companies, becoming managing director of Lyon Group, Scotland before founding DCI Group Ltd in 1974, which is still trading today.
During this time he was responsible for over £400 million of developments, nationally and internationally, and was an influential authority on the development of high-tech, energy-efficient office accommodation.
Northgate, one of his Glasgow developments, was noted as one of the three most advanced artificially intelligent buildings in the world.
His vigour and skills were much in demand and he served as a member of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, providing advice to three successive governments.
He was also a regular contributor to broadcasting and the national press.
He was an energetic fundraiser, both nationally and locally, and went on to become a chairman and life-long member of the Saints and Sinners Club of Scotland.
Born with congenital glaucoma, he had difficulties with his eyes throughout his life and underwent many operations before losing his sight completely in 2006.
Undeterred by this setback, he continued to run his company and he also mastered the use of voice recognition computer systems to write and publish several articles and books, including I'm Beginning To Forget What I Look Like, and Intent and Consequence.
Generous, not just materially but with praise and encouragement, he was admired greatly for his professional achievements and for his contribution to various aspects of Scottish life.
Through his warmth, kindness and vitality he imparted a sense of wellbeing to those who enjoyed his company and he will be held in high affection and sorely missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, four children, Ewan, Lindsay, Gavin, Andrew, and two grandchildren.
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