The Times
“There are a number of titles Jim Pettigrew could opt for - nicest guy in the City, fastest talker or biggest hair - but he is a shoo-in for Best Nose for Financial Genius.”
Biography
Growing up in Dundee Jim Pettigrew’s ambition was to be a sea captain. Although his career took a distinctly land orientated direction, he has become something of a captain in the financial services sector.
Jim graduated in law from Aberdeen University and completed post-graduate studies at Glasgow University before qualifying as a chartered accountant in Dundee in the early 1980s. He has navigated an impressive career from his native Scotland to London where he is now viewed as a veteran of The City and the Financial Services industry.
His natural energy and enthusiasm have propelled his successful career in business and finance. Through senior executive and non-executive positions in a wide range of major companies and organisations he has contributed to numerous international operations that span the globe, from the US to Australia. During his long career, Jim has held the positions of: CEO, COO, CFO, and Chairman, while also working with several of the UK’s top entrepreneurs on complex business transformations and flotations.
Key institutional roles under his leadership have included President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and past Chairman of the Scottish Financial Services industry body SFE. He also served a three year term as co-chair of Scotland’s Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) with the First Minister of Scotland and, during this time, sat on TheCityUK Advisory Board.
Jim’s current roles include Chairman of one of Ireland’s leading companies, AIB Group plc; overseeing the successful return of the bank from State to private ownership in 2025. He is also presently Chairman of RBC Global Asset Management UK. Jim completed his term as Chairman of Virgin Money and CYBG plc (Clydesdale Bank) in May 2020 having overseen Clydesdale Bank’s successful flotation and acquisition of Virgin Money.
His natural energy and enthusiasm have propelled his successful career in business and finance. Through senior executive and non-executive positions in a wide range of major companies and organisations he has contributed to numerous international operations that span the globe, from the US to Australia. During his long career, Jim has held the positions of: CEO, COO, CFO, and Chairman, while also working with several of the UK’s top entrepreneurs on complex business transformations and flotations.
Key institutional roles under his leadership have included President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and past Chairman of the Scottish Financial Services industry body SFE. He also served a three year term as co-chair of Scotland’s Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) with the First Minister of Scotland and, during this time, sat on TheCityUK Advisory Board.
Jim’s current roles include Chairman of one of Ireland’s leading companies, AIB Group plc; overseeing the successful return of the bank from State to private ownership in 2025. He is also presently Chairman of RBC Global Asset Management UK. Jim completed his term as Chairman of Virgin Money and CYBG plc (Clydesdale Bank) in May 2020 having overseen Clydesdale Bank’s successful flotation and acquisition of Virgin Money.
He set out what he expects of himself and his fellow professionals in a speech to ICAS, Scotland’s leading body for chartered accountants, during his presidential year: “Being a professional – in any profession – is not just about technical competency, it is about how you go about your work, how you make judgements and your willingness to do the right thing".
Jim never abandoned his love of the sea. He prefers to travel by boat, more specifically a paddle steamer and he is an enthusiastic supporter of The Waverley, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. He is also involved in the restoration of the Clyde turbine steamer, The Queen Mary.
Jim has had a lifetime’s interest in culture and the arts and has chaired Scottish Ballet since December 2020. He was also Chair of Dundee Heritage Trust for an impactful three year term which concluded in April 2023. Dundee Heritage Trust is an independent charity that cares for the internationally significant historic ship, RSS Discovery, and the city’s social history and jute museum, Verdant Works.
Jim never abandoned his love of the sea. He prefers to travel by boat, more specifically a paddle steamer and he is an enthusiastic supporter of The Waverley, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. He is also involved in the restoration of the Clyde turbine steamer, The Queen Mary.
Jim has had a lifetime’s interest in culture and the arts and has chaired Scottish Ballet since December 2020. He was also Chair of Dundee Heritage Trust for an impactful three year term which concluded in April 2023. Dundee Heritage Trust is an independent charity that cares for the internationally significant historic ship, RSS Discovery, and the city’s social history and jute museum, Verdant Works.
Jim graduated in law from Aberdeen University and completed post-graduate studies at Glasgow University before qualifying as a chartered accountant in Dundee in the early 1980s. He has navigated an impressive career from his native Scotland to London where he is now viewed as a veteran of The City and the Financial Services industry.
His natural energy and enthusiasm have propelled his successful career in business and finance. Through senior executive and non-executive positions in a wide range of major companies and organisations he has contributed to numerous international operations that span the globe, from the US to Australia. During his long career, Jim has held the positions of: CEO, COO, CFO, and Chairman, while also working with several of the UK’s top entrepreneurs on complex business transformations and flotations.
His natural energy and enthusiasm have propelled his successful career in business and finance. Through senior executive and non-executive positions in a wide range of major companies and organisations he has contributed to numerous international operations that span the globe, from the US to Australia. During his long career, Jim has held the positions of: CEO, COO, CFO, and Chairman, while also working with several of the UK’s top entrepreneurs on complex business transformations and flotations.
Key institutional roles under his leadership have included President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and past Chairman of the Scottish Financial Services industry body SFE. He also served a three year term as co-chair of Scotland’s Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) with the First Minister of Scotland and, during this time, sat on TheCityUK Advisory Board.
Jim’s current roles include Chairman of one of Ireland’s leading companies, AIB Group plc; overseeing the successful return of the bank from State to private ownership in 2025. He is also presently Chairman of RBC Global Asset Management UK. Jim completed his term as Chairman of Virgin Money and CYBG plc (Clydesdale Bank) in May 2020 having overseen Clydesdale Bank’s successful flotation and acquisition of Virgin Money.
Jim’s current roles include Chairman of one of Ireland’s leading companies, AIB Group plc; overseeing the successful return of the bank from State to private ownership in 2025. He is also presently Chairman of RBC Global Asset Management UK. Jim completed his term as Chairman of Virgin Money and CYBG plc (Clydesdale Bank) in May 2020 having overseen Clydesdale Bank’s successful flotation and acquisition of Virgin Money.
He set out what he expects of himself and his fellow professionals in a speech to ICAS, Scotland’s leading body for chartered accountants, during his presidential year: “Being a professional – in any profession – is not just about technical competency, it is about how you go about your work, how you make judgements and your willingness to do the right thing".
Jim never abandoned his love of the sea. He prefers to travel by boat, more specifically a paddle steamer and he is an enthusiastic supporter of The Waverley, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. He is also involved in the restoration of the Clyde turbine steamer, The Queen Mary.
Jim never abandoned his love of the sea. He prefers to travel by boat, more specifically a paddle steamer and he is an enthusiastic supporter of The Waverley, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. He is also involved in the restoration of the Clyde turbine steamer, The Queen Mary.
Jim has had a lifetime’s interest in culture and the arts and has chaired Scottish Ballet since December 2020. He was also Chair of Dundee Heritage Trust for an impactful three year term which concluded in April 2023. Dundee Heritage Trust is an independent charity that cares for the internationally significant historic ship, RSS Discovery, and the city’s social history and jute museum, Verdant Works.
