Alexander Kemp Wright
Sir Alexander Kemp Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1859 Methven, Perthshire, Scotland |
| Died | 1933-09-21 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Occupation | Banker |
| Years active | 1874–1933 |
| Known for | Career at Royal Bank of Scotland, founding the National Savings Movement |
Sir Alexander Kemp Wright KBE DL (1859–1933) was a prominent Scottish banker best known for his extensive career at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), where he held several senior positions and played a pivotal role in founding the National Savings Movement.
Life
Wright was born in Methven, Perthshire, to shoemaker Andrew Wright and Isabella Kemp. His early education took place locally and later at Perth Academy. He pursued studies in Scots Law and Conveyancing at the University of Edinburgh. Beginning his career in 1874, he joined RBS at its Perth branch before relocating in 1878 to the bank’s headquarters at Dundas House, Edinburgh. By 1891, he had assumed leadership of the bank’s legal department.
In 1907, Wright was appointed Secretary of RBS. During 1916, he contributed to the creation of the Scottish Savings Committee. The following year, he advanced to General Manager, where he managed personnel assignments amid the First World War mobilization and initiated the government’s war savings program via the Post Office Savings Bank, significantly increasing public participation in saving schemes.
With governmental consent in 1918, Wright directed RBS’s strategic expansion into England. This achievement led to his appointment as Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1922. The expansion strategy emphasized acquiring merchant banks, including the notable acquisition of Drummonds Bank in London in 1924. His influence extended to national banking policy through his involvement with the Treasury Select Committee (Montagu Committee) in 1923 and later with the Lubbock Committee in 1925.
King George V honored Wright with a knighthood as a Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in 1926. He persisted in enhancing RBS’s reach; notably, under guidance from Montague Norman of the Bank of England, RBS purchased Williams Deacon's Bank in Manchester in 1929, which enabled access to a London branch located at Burlington Gardens by 1930.
In 1931, Wright was named Chairman of the Scottish Savings Committee and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree by the University of Edinburgh. He passed away unexpectedly in Edinburgh on 21 September 1933 while attending a funeral service. His responsibilities at RBS were subsequently assumed by Deputy Manager William Whyte.
Other roles
Among his significant appointments were:
- Chairman of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce from 1919 to 1921
- President of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland (IBS) between 1922 and 1924
- Vice President of the British Bankers Association from 1924 until approximately 1933
- Manager at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
- Treasurer for Earl Haig's Appeal starting from its establishment in 1920
- Director of P&O Bank throughout its operational period (1920–1927)
- Director of Scottish Equitable Life Assurance Society
- Elder at St Andrews Church, Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh
Other honorary titles and awards
His distinguished recognitions include:
- Medal awarded by the Estonian Red Cross in September 1927
- Commander rank within the Order of the White Rose of Finland conferred in 1931
- Appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh
Family
In 1895, Wright married Josephine Campbell Smith, who died in 1912. Together they had five children: two sons and three daughters. Their mother passed away during their childhood years.