Bill Thomson, OBE
Operating Partner
Career History
Bill Thomson started work on the factory floor at the age of 16 and continued to study until he was promoted to a technical position. He then studied at Strathclyde University where he obtained an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering. Bill has worked for Diamond Power, Babcock and Hunting Oilfield Services in various roles including draughtsman, project engineer, project manager, manufacturing manager, operations director, commercial director and divisional director. Bill had worked with Jim McColl both in Diamond Power and in subsequent company doctor assignments before joining the Clyde Blowers team.
Role at Clyde Blowers
Bill has worked within the Clyde Blowers portfolio of companies since 1992, holding many posts in the UK and overseas. Bill was the Chief Executive of CleanCut Technologies Limited, a former subsidiary of Clyde Materials Handling which developed solutions to environmental challenges in the offshore oil and gas industry before its sale in October 2002. Bill was previously Executive Chairman of InterBulk Group plc.
Bill has been responsible for the development of the Clyde Blowers portfolio in China for 17 years and lives and works mostly in China. Bill is head of the CBC China team which is wholly committed to developing the strategic growth of the portfolio companies, from understanding the market opportunity to negotiating transactions, and implementing the operational strategy.
Bill is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to British exports, mainly to China, and was awarded an honorary degree from London Metropolitan University. Bill was a director of UKTI (formerly BTI) for 4 years and was a Director and Vice President of the China Britain Business Council for more than 10 years. Bill is an FSA Approved Person.
Qualifications
Bill is also a Chartered Engineer with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.