Amid a sharp oil decline Aberdeen has found itself “sleepwalking”, according to Sir Ian Wood.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, the oil tycoon said the Scottish city risks leaving emerging generations an empty legacy.
“My biggest concern is for future generations.
“We’ve been the lucky generation. I hate the thought that they will say we left nothing for them.
“Aberdeen has been sleepwalking. We’ve had this very strong oil and gas industry, and we are now into a severe period of depletion.
“Two-thirds of our economy here is dependent on oil and gas and nobody is talking about.”
Previously, Sir Ian Wood exclusively sat down with Energy Voice to reveal his thoughts on last year’s referendum. He warned an independent Scotland couldn’t rely so heavily on the sector.
Cue oil price slump.
Sir Ian went on to say the ‘No’ vote was a lucky escape.
“I am extremely glad right now that Scotland is not dependent on oil for its economy.
“I’d be very, very concerned if we had been.”
The self-made billionaire recently joined the Giving Pledge – an initiative for the world’s richest to give away more than half of their wealth.
The move is in line with the philanthropic path Sir Ian has passionately carved throughout his career.
When it comes to oil price and a way forward questions still remain, but there is one thing the entrepreneur is determined he would like to see in the future.
“I’d like to see them be more caring than my generation, because I don’t think we’ve been a caring generation at all,” he said.
“You don’t need to be rich to be a philanthropist.”
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