Mr Colin Buchan, a current parent, is a Trustee and a Founder of the Fettes Foundation. 

Mr Colin Buchan has had and continues to have a stunning and dynamic career in the financial services industry and, included amongst glittering array of directorships within his portfolio, is his directorship of the Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Colin’s association with Fettes began in 1994, when living and working in Hong Kong.  He and his wife Sue were looking for a suitable school for their three daughters and were convinced by friends that Fettes was the one; as Colin says: “The rest is history”.

Colin’s parents were both Scots who emigrated to South Africa after World War II ended; the family did, however, maintain strong contacts with Scotland, and when it came to choosing a permanent base for his own family, whilst running his part of a “worldwide Investment Banking business”, Edinburgh seemed to be the ideal place.

Colin was born in South Africa and educated at School which he describes as being “similar to Fettes in so many ways – city based, beautiful imposing stone buildings, great spirit and a tremendous pride in our School.”  They did not, however, have “problems with muddy rugby pitches, more like broken bones from the dry hard ground!”

Asked what attracted him and his wife to Fettes in the first place, Colin replies that there were many factors, but most importantly:

• they were very impressed by both the quality of the academic education and the range of extra-curricular opportunities which the School offers;
• they were keen for their daughters to attend a co-educational school;
• they liked the international aspects of the school community combined with the Scottish thread;
• the environment is that of a boarding school in a city based context;
• sport is important and is inclusive of all pupils not just the stars;
• pupils develop confidence in themselves and consideration for others, something that comes from a caring familial environment which the School provides.

When speaking with Colin it becomes clear that his enthusiastic attitude towards the Fettes Foundation is rooted in philanthropy.  Thus he feels that it is important to put something back into the School for future pupils; he is grateful for the fact that both he, his wife and their children have received excellent educations, made possible because they were able to have access to institutions built up over so many years and through support of so many people over those years.  Whilst current pupils have the benefit of the efforts of years gone by, it is vital that support for the School is maintained and developed for the sake of future generations.

He takes a long-term view of his own contribution.  After all, as he points out, few major developments are conceived, developed and completed over the school life of one child – most projects take many years.  It is therefore vital to help Fettes to continue to make investments for the future: “not just to keep up but to stay at the forefront of developments”.

Colin sums up his attitude very simple: “I may not be a Fettes Old Boy, but I am a very proud Fettes parent and pleased to offer my support to the Fettes Foundation.”