News
Iain More, 1941-2020:
A well-lived life
13 November 2020
All of us at More Partnership are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our founder, mentor and friend Iain More. Our thoughts are with his wonderful wife Pam and all those who loved him.
Iain was a pioneer, one of the very first fundraisers in UK higher education – joining the University of Edinburgh in 1982 to launch a 400th anniversary appeal – and one of Europe’s first fundraising consultants. He founded Iain More Consultants (now More Partnership) in 1989, following Director of Development roles in the UK and overseas, as well as a varied career in industry and politics in the US and Scotland. The firm’s purpose and values continue to be shaped by his legacy – and his geography. We owe it to Iain that, although More now works on five continents, the firm’s HQ remains in Dundee.
In those early days of development in the UK, Iain was a beacon of knowledge and led the way in introducing philanthropic concepts already tried and tested in the US. Telephone fundraising, for example, was then a novelty in Europe but has since become common practice.
In his long and rewarding career Iain worked with a wide range of educational institutions, charities and other not-for-profit organisations to which he provided advice on all aspects of development work. His client list – from King's College London to the Theatre Royal Plymouth via Italy, Poland and the USA – grew almost exclusively by personal recommendation and he formed close, long-term relationships with many.
He has been a counsellor and a coach for many young fundraising professionals over the years, including many of us at More Partnership. It’s fitting that the Iain More Award at CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) recognises the outstanding achievements of an emerging development professional each year. His generosity of spirit, open-mindedness and ability to capture the essence of every idea were an inspiration to us all. He was a trusted colleague, imparting experienced counsel with passion, persistence and a drive for excellence. He also took a deep interest in others’ lives and listened intently, telling us just last year: “don’t just give advice, take it.”
A full life
Iain lived a full and rich life. After growing up in Glasgow, he studied at St Andrews and Loughborough Universities, and was an international swimmer for Scotland and Great Britain. Prior to his development career, he spent 11 years in the US, including time working as a staffer for the 1972 McGovern Presidential Campaign, where he first became active in fundraising. He developed a successful mail-drop technique for McGovern that helped create an enduring fundraising base for the Democrats and began to conduct face-to-face major gift fundraising. He also restored a historic building creating a successful bar, restaurant and arts venue, which he owned and operated. On his return to his native Scotland, he stayed in politics, working as research officer and headquarters director for the Scottish National Party, before moving into development – first with the University of Edinburgh, and then with INSEAD in France. In this time, he was one of the small group of university professionals who brought CASE to Europe.
He then founded and grew Iain More Consultants, realising in his words that “with a burgeoning business I needed quickly to recruit high quality consultants and support staff”. He brought in and developed a number of our present-day team, including Adrian Beney, Lesley Duncan, Ian Edwards, Cameron Goodlad, Rachel Hall, Simon Pennington and Rebecca Rendle, and we all of us owe him a great debt. In his words, the “client ethos was probably exemplified with outstanding service, going the extra mile for them, giving them value for money, challenging ourselves to always learn and do better for them.” And those words ring true today. His legacy lives on in the hundreds of causes whose great ambitions we are able to advance.
Iain was also stimulating and fun company. An hour with him could touch on subjects ranging from football to ballet, or from US politics to everyday family life. It would always be a really enjoyable hour.
When Iain was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago, he never let it affect what he wanted to do. He was working and active to the last, walking and swimming, and supporting the work of his chosen charities, including the Observatory for Sport in Scotland.
Ahead of a company meeting in 2016, we tasked colleagues with writing their autobiographies to be shared as an icebreaker. Iain was delighted to hear about this – and to read the stories – and decided to join in the fun. Click here to read, in his own words, the potted biography of his colourful life that Iain wrote for the team at More.
Iain's funeral service
Iain's funeral service is being held at Morton Hall crematorium in Edinburgh on Friday 27th November at 2:25pm GMT. With the current COVID restrictions numbers attending are very limited but the service will be streamed live and available to watch for 30 days afterwards. If you would like the details of how to view the webcast, please email us at info@morepartnership.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Prostate Scotland in Iain's memory would be appreciated via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/iainmore.
Your memories
We have been overwhelmed with kind messages and stories since sharing this news, such is the esteem in which Iain was held and the impact he had on others. Below is a selection gathered from emails and social media so far - please do share your memories with us via info@morepartnership.com and we'll publish them below.
So very saddened to hear of Iain’s passing. He was such a great guy. Knowledgeable, interesting, perceptive, fun. He gave such sound advice to me over the years and prior to retirement. We had intended to catch up in Edinburgh but I broke my wrist last autumn and then COVID arrived in early 2019 just when I was getting fully mobile again. Life is peppered with regrets.
Sometimes there simply are no words. We can only be happy that he led such a packed and interesting life. He tackled his illness with great courage and determination and it did not deter him from living life to the full. A life well lived.
With sincere condolences to Pam and the More Partnership family.
Norma Sinte
What a special man to us all in fundraising. I am so very sorry to hear he is gone and send everyone at More my deepest condolences xx
Kirsty MacDonald
I first heard of Iain More from Howard Raingold at Lincoln College, Oxford in the early 1990s - I remember the amazing cartoon logo on his business card with him looking like something out of a steampunk graphic novel. But I may not have met him till I went to the LSE Foundation at the start of 1993.
Iain was never anything but friendly and helpful and knowledgeable, and always concerned to give good career advice. I am glad that he persuaded me not to make a precipitate attempt to work in the USA, and he played a key role in directing me towards the Architectural Association, where he was our consultant.
We didn't have the budget to pay him when I went to the Hackney Empire Theatre, but it was a sign of Iain's generosity of spirit that he agreed to give me free consulting when I needed it so long as I bought him breakfast at the veggie restaurant Crank's near Tottenham Court Road! I took up the offer, though it didn't turn me into a vegetarian.
He was also the first person to pay me for some consultancy work, a small piece for the RIBA. I also remember in my very first university consulting work when I moved to the consultants Brakeley, with the University of Dundee, I contacted him to say I would be in town, and suggested we meet up. Instead, he generously invited me to stay at his and Pam's home. There was no unprincipled professional rivalry, we were all aiming for the same thing in different ways.
I will never forget his always broad grin when he would meet up with me, as if I were the only person in the room. On my 30th anniversary in fundraising, in August of this year, I was with his good friend Howard Raingold, socially distancing in a Notting Hill cafe garden, and we rang him up on what was for me an important but necessarily low key occasion, given coronavirus. He sounded great and strong, and with a loud voice he shouted out my name, and chuckled that Howard and I were two of the most memorable people he had met in his career!
I was delighted and flattered, because in reality it was Iain who more than most people had made my career opportunities, based on his integrity, insight, perspicacity and boldness. So many of us owe him so many aspects of what we do in fundraising.
I am so thankful that I managed to speak to him for the last time while he was still very much the Iain I knew, and before his treatment options ran out. What a fighter over 12 years he was, what a man of struggle in adversity - and to come out of all that still the same wise and caring universal man, a polymath of the world of charity, whose life revolved around engaging with human beings and helping them achieve their most far reaching ambitions. Thank you so much, Mr More.
Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.
Martin Kaufman
Terrible news. But what an amazing legacy Iain leaves for us all. CASE and other fundraising special moments just won't be the same without him. Thinking of his family and everyone at More Partnership.
Caroline Underwood
I became firm friends with Iain at school. Although he was not happy with many aspects of the school, we nevertheless still had fun and we shared a study together in our final year. On our last day there, following a week’s compulsory army cadet camp, the teacher in charge of the cadet corps got hold of Iain and myself and told us to fetch his personal luggage from a nearby army truck and put it in the boot of his car. His luggage was in a wooden army box, but there were also several other similar boxes nearby containing army goods. Of course we substituted the boxes. When he got home he must have been furious, but he should have known better than to order two rather reluctant army cadets to move his luggage on their last day of school. We did however feel slightly guilty about this in later years.
During college years, although I was in Liverpool and Iain at St. Andrews/Dundee, we met up fairly frequently. By we, I mean myself and some college friends and Iain likewise made a few trips to Liverpool with his friends. These meetings were always memorable for the fun and enjoyment we all had. I can remember a magnificent, but eventful, torch light procession during ‘Rag Week’ in Dundee. Whether it was London, Dundee, Nairn or various swimming venues Iain always had a huge retinue of good friends as a result of his very gregarious nature and the interest in people that he retained all his life. In 1965 I was very privileged to have him as best man at my wedding to Catherine in Anglesey.
Over the years we continued to meet up with Iain and Pam from time to time – Iain was very good at keeping in touch with his friends and he took great interest in what was going on in our lives. In mid-October, this year, whilst suffering considerable pain and nearing the end of his life, he still determinedly helped Anna, our daughter. Anna is leading a European Research Council project on ‘Inclusive Public Space’ with an emphasis on the disabled and elderly. She needed volunteers for field work in Glasgow and because of Covid could not go up there herself. Iain took great interest in her project and was pleased to be able to put her in touch with two wonderful Glasgow ladies, Marie and Heather, who have managed to help recruit volunteers.
I, like so many others, have lost a very dear friend, one who not only lived life to the full but also gave much of it to helping others.
Bruce Lawson
I was very saddened to learn of Iain’s passing last week. I first met Iain at a CASE conference at Edinburgh in the mid 2000s, and we remained in regular contact, even more so over the past eight years through Iain’s continuing association and many friendships at St Andrews. I have received a number of messages from his network here, all with the same sentiment, that Iain always went above and beyond to help others. For me personally, he always took particular care to ask after my son who had his own personal battle with childhood cancer, and it was especially poignant to know that throughout that time Iain never seemed to let his own protracted illness with prostate cancer get in the way of asking after others.
Robert Fleming
What a wonderful man Iain was... always happy to help and always so kind to those he met. He will certainly be missed. My heart goes out to you all and his family. Take care.
Christian Propper
So sorry to hear this news and my thoughts with his family and all the team at More Partnership.
One of the proudest moments of my career was receiving the Iain More Award, to be recognised in the name of such an inspiring and amazing man was an honour and I know we will all continue his remarkable legacy.
Becki Mckinlay
Very saddened to hear this. Iain was a pioneer in UK fundraising, and an outstanding consultant and leader. Love to all who had the privilege to know him.
Shaun Horan
Very sad to read this. Without knowing me, Iain generously shared his experience and wisdom with me for my studies. A very kind man.
Ali MacLeod
From all of us at The Helen Brown Group, our sincere condolences for your loss. You all carry on his legacy with integrity, skill, and heart.
Helen Brown
A mentor and friend for over 20 years. He will be missed. RIP, Iain
Kerry Bryson
Iain, your legacy will live on in so many ways through the young fundraisers you have mentored, award recipients in your name, the boards you sat on and the company in your name. A legend and consummate professional, you will always be around us all x
Karen Cairney
Very sorry to hear this sad news. Iain was one of the most charismatic people I have been privileged to know. Our paths crossed many times since the late 1980s. Iain has been an inspiration to us all. My sincerest condolences to Pam and to all at the More Partnership. RIP dear friend.
Colin Boswell
So sorry to hear this. You all inherited important values from Iain.
Susie Baker
Iain was a mentor and a friend. I have numerous happy memories and was grateful to know Iain over very many years. Iain was foundational in the evolution of professional advancement across the UK educational sector. And his encouragement for many of us, throughout our careers, provided inspiration. Thank you for your warm counsel and for all that you did to advance education. Your CASE family has much to thank you for. We will miss you Iain.
Sue Cunningham
So sorry to read this sad news. Thinking of everyone at More.
Kate Love
A live very well lived and one which brought so many opportunities to so many charities through their great works. And let's not forget theatre too, especially Scottish theatre. Thank you Iain for helping to create effective charitable giving and development.
Michael Cross
I’m so sorry to hear this. What a contribution to fundraising and giving he made. My very best wishes to you all.
Howard Lake
Terribly sad to read this. A much respected and loved friend and colleague to you all, I know. I’m proud to have been the first winner of the award that bears his name - a real honour.
Adrian Punaks
RIP Mr More. A true legend of our sector, made real differences to professional fundraising in this country and probably helped to transform hundreds of thousands of lives around the world - an impressive legacy.
Glen Fendley
Sad news. Iain was one of the first people I got to know when I entered the world of university advancement. He was a man of deep knowledge. Funny, courteous and generous. A good man, who made a difference.
Tim Cobb
So sorry for all the wonderful people Iain gathered together to create one of the most respected international consultancies in the world. I know this is a difficult time, but Iain’s legacy will live through the work of all of you.
Larry D. Lauer
What a loss. But I am sure you will help his legacy live on.
Richard Radcliffe
Very sorry to hear this - terrible news. Sending prayers and best wishes.
Andrew Harston
Condolences to all. Iain has left a wonderful legacy.
Michael Murphy
My heart goes out to my many friends at More. Iain was a mentor to us all, and a true friend. His impact will live on.
Jennifer Dumas
Sorry to hear this news...but what a life and impact he had. He touched many people, lives and careers, and a professional community.
Kate Hunter
Very sad news. He was a wonderful friend and mentor. I’m going to miss him so so much. Rest in peace, Iain x
Nuala Boyle
Very sad to hear that. He was a lovely man.
Sue Rees
An inspiration to many of us in our youth and beyond.
John McCaffrey
Very sorry to hear this, a great loss for the sector and for you all at More. I am sure your work will continue to be his legacy to the entire industry in the UK.
Paola Barbarino
Iain’s was the first name I heard spoken of when I became a fundraiser — he was a towering figure. My thoughts are with his family, with More and with all his friends.
Margaret Clift
My condolences to the team at More - a real loss to the sector.
Joanna Logan
Sad news, Iain was an influence on my career. A lovely man who was thoughtful and kind to colleagues and associates. The consulting firm he founded will remain a lasting testament to him.
John Godfrey
I'm very sorry to hear this news. I didn't know Iain personally, but the partnership he helped to found was so helpful in our early tentative fundraising steps at the Institute of Physics. My sincere condolences.
Philip Diamond
Very sad to hear, one of the inspiring leaders in the sector, he will be much missed.
Adrian Ballard
He was a legend in his lifetime. His influence in the sector lives on. Thank you Iain, RIP.
Moyra Doyle
I'm so very sorry to hear this news. My condolences to all of you.
Jay Frost
Sad news indeed. Had the pleasure of meeting him a few times at Univ.
Declan Rainey
Sad news indeed. I had the pleasure of working with Iain many moons ago. He was true legend in the fundraising/development sector and leaves a wonderful legacy. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
Alice Reynolds
Sad news. Thoughts with his family, friends and colleagues.
Karen Berry
This is very sad news! I only ever had one conversation with him in my career and it stayed with me because his advice was so good. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Jason Briggs
I am so sorry to hear this. Condolences.
Loretta Murray
So sorry to hear this - he was an inspiration and a great friend!
Eilish McDowell
Such a great, great guy. I first met Iain when he visited the UMIST campaign in 1988. Iain introduced me to London Business School after Howard choose LSE instead. I shall buy a bottle of Highland Park (his whisky of choice I recall) and toast his memory.
Iain McMullan
So very sad. Iain was very kind and helpful to me when I started out as a young and naive alumni officer at Edinburgh University in 1985. I reported to Ray Footman then, but spent much of my time with Iain and his team in the split Development/General Council Appeal offices. He was right in there at the start of all of this in the HE sector. Good memories - rest in peace Iain.
Colin McCallum
How sad. A significant leader in the sector.
Nicolette Shaw
So sorry to hear this, he was a legend.
Julie Forster
All of us at Washburn & McGoldrick send our condolences. We join you in honoring his tremendous legacy.
Karin Lee George
So sorry to read this and thinking of you all today.
Graeme Byrne
I met him only a few times but you couldn’t mistake his integrity and wisdom.
David Mungall
Desperately sorry to hear this; Iain was a genuine legend and the loveliest man. My love and thoughts go out to his nearest and dearest and everyone at More Partnership.
Tessa Stone
I met Iain in my first few weeks in fundraising at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh with Fran Shepherd. He immediately instilled in me (a total novice fundraiser) a sense of passion and dignity in fundraising for education as a profession and indeed, for any worthwhile cause but particularly the arts and grassroots charities. He attended some tricky meetings with us but was generous with his knowledge and experience, always backing us up and showing integrity throughout. It was a lesson in how to conduct yourself as a fundraiser and a terrific grounding for a career in Development so thank you to Iain (and Fran!). In recent years, I was fortunate to know Iain in a more personal capacity as we enjoyed catch-ups with him and Pam during our visits to Edinburgh. He was a true gentleman and an inspiration; he will be missed by us all.
Jo Finnie Jones
So very sad. Iain not only offered very wise counsel but also was a damn good bloke. His legacy will live on. RIP.
Peter Reader
I am so sorry to learn of Iain's passing. Of course we all knew it would come some day, but nobody who knew the larger than life Iain could have allowed themselves to really contemplate it.
He was a truly kind and generous character, but shrewd and intensely clever with it.
I recall spending hours driving though his beloved Scotland with him. The conversation never stopped, roving over fundraising, politics, and even quite personal matters.
Later, my wife opened our home to home for an overnight stay when I was regrettably elsewhere on business. In one night, he charmed her. She too will be saddened to hear of his passing.
What a wonderful man. What a life well lived. He made a difference to people, and to causes that matter.
Brian Gilliland
So sorry to hear this news. I remember Iain from my early days working with his friend, the late Dr Henry Drucker. Condolences to his family and dear colleagues.
Sheridan Gould
I had a great deal of respect for Iain - one of the real pioneers of university fundraising development.
Mike Smithson
My condolences to Pam and his family, and to his More Partnership family as well. Iain was a friend and mentor to so many in our profession.
Bill McGoldrick
Very sad. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that Iain was one of the most influential drivers in development of HE fundraising in this country. There are very few HE institutions that have not benefitted from his wisdom and experience, and so set themselves on the track to success. Whether one worked with him directly or not, the name is synonymous with HE philanthropy here.
Maša Amatt
My deepest condolences, Iain was awesome.
Marc Whitmore
Very sad to hear this. But there is joy too: how amazing was his life?! His legacy lives on through all of you at More Partnership and the outstanding work you do enabling important causes to have ever greater impact. That’s worth celebrating.
Kate Robertson
Really sorry to hear this...he was brilliant. I'll never forget how kind he was to me when we first started to get the arts involved with CASE and how much he taught me about a sector I knew so little about.
Andrea Nixon
I remember Iain from the early days of CASE outreach in the UK. A strong leader and accomplished professional.
Gordon McDougall
Condolences. Here’s to a wonderful legacy!
Jen Dougan
I wanted to get in touch to offer my deepest condolences, both to you as a team and to Iain's family.
As the recipient of the Iain More Award from CASE in 2019, I know what a fantastic contribution Iain made to fundraising and development professions (and professionals), both in the UK and abroad. While I wasn't fortunate enough to meet Iain, the dynamism, progressiveness and sheer passion that he demonstrated for creating impactful philanthropic propositions continue to inspire me, both professionally and personally. Reading his story in his own words gives such a strong indication of his warmth and humour, too.
I hope that you can all take some comfort in knowing that Iain's impact continues to be felt by those who didn't meet him as well as those who did. As a recipient of the award that he named, I feel so proud to be associated with all that he achieved.
Matthew Ingram
Deeply saddened to learn of Iain's passing. Having been an active CASE volunteer in the US, later serving as the first international member of the CASE Commission on Alumni Relations, I was delighted to further contribute to CASE Europe from its early days, seeing Iain often at HEERA/CASE conferences both as delegates and speakers. We were truly pioneers in advancing our profession in Europe.
My thoughts go out to Iain's family, friends and colleagues at More Partnership, many of whom I remember with great fondness.
Rest in peace, Iain. You gave new meaning to the name 'Flying Scotsman'. Soar high my friend.
Reggie Simpson
I met Iain when I was Deputy Director of Edinburgh University. Catrin Tilley, the Director, had engaged him as our consultant, and we had many meetings with him as we built up the office from 8 people when I started, raising £750k pa, to 35 people when I left 8 years later, raising £10 million pa. He was tough. He asked hard questions and said what he thought. So it meant something when he responded positively to things I said or did. Over those 8 years, he became a real friend and mentor to me. I benefited enormously from his advice and valued the fact that he had confidence in me.
We also bonded over Scottish politics. My husband, Will, was active in the campaign for a Scottish Parliament, and he remembers warmly Iain’s correspondence with him about an article Will published in the press. Our flat in Edinburgh is around the corner from Iain and Pam’s, and in the past few years, both Will and I had the pleasure of visiting them for coffee. I was delighted and honoured by Iain’s response to the news that I had joined More Partnership. He told me that he believed in me – a hugely important mark of confidence in my new role.
I last saw Iain in September when we met for coffee at the Red Box in Marchmont. Because of social distance rules, we had to shout at each other more loudly than usual to compensate for our masks, the distance between us, and Iain’s malfunctioning hearing aid! We agreed to meet again in December and to visit together a mutual friend from Edinburgh days. I am so sorry this will not be possible now.
Iain – we will miss you. Pam – I hope we will continue our friendship. You are both in our hearts.
Joanna Storrar
I'll never forget Iain. He came to help us as founders of Buffalo Fundraising Consultants whilst we were only in our mid-twenties. He gave us his time for free when he had been predicted to have only 3 years left with his cancer (he lasted more than 10 years). His support was business- and life-changing. I always listened to Iain, as his advice was always honest and generous, as well as being deeply considered. He was a true light in the world but nurtured many other bright lights and leaves a wonderful dynasty.
Tom Beckett
Iain was well loved by my whole family. He and my father had some adventures together in their youth - about which we've only ever heard the most tantalizing snippets - and my brothers and I met him on a visit back to Scotland when we were young. As the only member of my family who was born in Scotland, I adopted Iain as my special honorary uncle. We shared a love of the arts, a passion for politics, and interests in fitness - especially swimming - and travel, and I kept in touch with him over the years via email, cards, and just two visits. I'll always remember his vigor, sense of humor, down-to-earth and generous nature, and his ability to start a conversation with anyone in the room. We miss him dearly, and our thoughts are with Pam, everyone at More Partnership, and Iain's circle of loved ones.
Sarah Town
Sending my condolences to all at the firm Iain founded, and of course, to Pam: she migrated from Oregon to Scotland in the 20th century; I did the same in the 21st.
Iain and I met shortly after I arrived in Belfast and began my UK fundraising research career. We clicked straight away with our shared links to Oregon. He took an interest in other people, and he showed that interest by how he engaged with them.
Iain More's contributions will never be forgotten.
Rhoda McIntire
On November 12th, 2020 our dear friend and “extra Dad”, Iain More, left this world.
We like to think he went to join our Dad, David, his good pal, who passed in August this year. It has taken some time to get this text together partly because of grief but also because lots of memories come to mind and it’s difficult to narrow down all the emotions, memories and anecdotes here.
The first words that come to mind when describing Iain are: loyal, supportive, engaged, interested, eager, energetic, determined, noisy, strong, stubborn, caring and a great friend.
Loyal: Iain and our Dad, David, met at Loughborough University studying PE in the 60s. Despite being quite different in personalities they became great friends and kept in contact throughout their lives. David met our Mum, Lita, in 1964 and moved to Denmark in 1966. Iain went to the States, then France and back to the UK in '78. They kept in touch throughout the years on weekly, monthly basis through letters, sometimes difficult to read because of his handwriting, phone calls and later email. Iain would give a summary of the events in his life and ask about the latest from everyone in the family. When we were born, Nana in 1969 and me in 1971, Iain got involved in our lives from day one, even though he was far away. Throughout the years, Iain was always there for all of us and when our Dad got diagnosed with Cancer two years ago, Iain would offer him advice and support based on his own experience and research always offering a positive view.
Supportive: My sister Nana and I have always thought of Iain to be our extra Dad, since he was around since we were born. According to our Mum, he quite quickly took an interest in us and sort of adopted us as his special young people. Despite us growing up in Denmark and Iain in another country, he was always following our lives with real dedication and interest.
He was always ready with advice and a solution to any challenge we might have had in our lives and careers. When I wanted to go to the UK to study fashion, Iain searched his massive network to get advice on Art Schools, even though he didn’t know much about fashion. He followed my studies with great interest and always made sure to let me know when he was in London so we could meet, and he would ask about everything going on at the university and in my life.
My sister Nana went to live with Iain and Pam in Edinburgh while studying for five months as a teenager. Not everyone would have taken on the task of having a teenager in their home when they didn’t even have kids of their own, but Iain and Pam welcomed her with open arms. When Nana had a paper published in an International Nursing Journal, he took the article to the nurses at his hospital to show them and ask if these methods described in the paper could be implemented there. He also took great interest in Nana’s kids, Louise and Sebastian, following their lives and trying to help Louise getting an internship in Scotland. Always there to support and to give advice.
Engaged, organizer: Iain and Pam have always opened their home to their many friends. That also included “The Wrights” from Denmark. On our holidays to Scotland as children we always made sure to visit Iain and Pam - and Iain’s mother Frances, whom we called Granny Nairn, because that’s where she lived. I don’t remember all that went on, only that we always looked forward to seeing them. As grownups we always made sure to visit when we would come to Scotland for work or holidays visiting our family. Iain would take great pleasure and pride in planning and organizing an itinerary of where to go, what to see, where to have dinner and would gladly plan your entire holiday, weekend, festival if you would let him. He would show off the neighborhood, the local butcher, greengrocer, pharmacy, small stores, local restaurants, galleries etc. - always being supportive to small and local businesses. Sometimes you would have to remind him that there had to be room for just sitting down and talk.
Iain had a remarkable memory. He would remember events and conversations he had with people 20 and 30 years ago. He would remember the names of all our friends who had been to visit, bosses’ names, kids, boyfriends... even people he had only met once. He would always ask about everyone and how they were doing, career-wise, school, sports - you name it. And, he took real interest in it.
Sports: Sport and exercise were very important to Iain. The swimming of course played a big part. I also remember him and Dad sometimes playing tennis when we visited. He was not as much a rugby fan as Dad, so they did have some discussions about football vs rugby. When he was fit and well, it would be difficult to keep up with him when out and about. He was always on his way somewhere fast. When he got diagnosed with cancer he kept moving forward, doing as much exercise he could manage. A few years ago, he would climb Arthur's Seat every Wednesday. He never gave up, never a quitter. Even in his last few weeks he was talking about going out for walks, planning trips and looking forward to seeing us; going to exhibitions and to participate in our Dad's Scottish wake in 2021. But sadly, his body was not as strong as his mind in the end.
Iain will leave behind a big empty space. We will sure miss him and his spirit, but he will always be in our hearts. Our Dad, David would most likely have made a speech and a song if he could have been at the service for Iain. I’m not sure which one but I think Auld Lang Syne, by Robert Burns, could have been one of them as it talks so fondly about friendship. And Iain was a really great friend.
The Wrights in Denmark
Lita Wright, Nana Keir Wright and Sara Keir Wright
In 1985 I was standing in the lunch queue at INSEAD when a booming Scottish voice came down the line. Iain was explaining the directions to Clark’s Bar to a Frenchman who clearly was not understanding everything, so I translated. We got chatting and, as the son of Scots, he decided I was really a transplanted Scotsman [Glaswegian] despite my southern English accent. We remained friends from that day and it was Iain’s gift for friendship that I will remember most. He was equally at ease talking to the most lordly and the most humble, accumulating more friends along the way.
Farewell to my “old Scottish pal” as he called himself in his last email to me in September. You’ll be missed by many.
Robert Dick
Iain will be sorely missed. I owe so much to this great man. His generosity and funding of the John Taylor More scholarship at the University of Oregon allowed me to experience things I never could have imagined. May his legacy and memory live on.
Gregor Cunningham
I met Iain More only about 18 months ago when I was a member of the Edinburgh & Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group (ELPCSG) and he was on the Committee. Indeed, I was asked to give a talk at my second meeting and the introduction by Iain had so much content – by surfing my name on the web – that I was learning things about myself! I then became involved in the “buddy” programme in which members of the ELPCSG help newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. My role was to see if it could be taken to a higher level. Iain politely asked me if “I needed a gopher”! We met for an hour each week prior to his chemotherapy and I found his thoughts and ideas to be most profound. And he staunchly supported me to the end, unfortunately with that project unfinished. I will now redouble my efforts to bring buddying to that new dimension.
I believe that “gopher” Iain is the greatest person whom I have ever met.
My heart goes out to everyone who has been touched by this great man, and especially to his wife, Pam, at her time of great loss.
Bruce Vickery
Very sad to hear of Iain's passing. I swam with him in the GB team, he was a great guy. He told me about his travels across the USA by Greyhound bus ($99 for 99 days), his description of his journey was so fascinating that I did the same thing a few years later. What a remarkably varied life he led, he will be sadly missed by many. My condolences to all his family and friends.
Robert Apel
I first met Iain in Oxford when I was new to fundraising, working as development director at Lincoln College. I quickly realised what a first rate professional he was and asked him to act as consultant to my team. He did an excellent job and we became good friends. My next post was at the LSE, where I doubt I would have survived as long as I did without Iain’s wise counsel. Pembroke College Cambridge offered me a Fellowhip in 1994. I had twelve happy years there and naturally Iain, again, was our adviser.
After retirement I continued to see Iain in London, and Edinburgh, where I stayed occasionally with him and Pam. I admired his straight talking, his decency and his loyalty to people and causes that he held dear. I will miss him very much.
Howard Raingold