Brian Souter

Brian Souter

Sir Brian Souter (born 5 May 1954 in Perth, Scotland) is a Scottish businessman. Along with his sister, Ann Gloag, he founded the Stagecoach Group which started running bus services and expanded throughout the United Kingdom and internationally, also moving into rail franchises.

Souter has also been politically active in Scotland, having donated large sums to the Scottish National Party. When the Scottish Government proposed to repeal Section 2A of the Local Government Act, which prevented local authorities from "promoting homosexuality", Souter started the Keep the Clause campaign to oppose their plans, spending one million pounds of his own money to organise a private referendum across Scotland. This campaign, and other controversial statements, have led opponents to accuse him of homophobia.

Souter has also made large charitable donations through his own Christian-based charity trust. In 2011, he was awarded a Knighthood for services to transport and the voluntary sector, though the honour was criticised by Scottish Labour politicians and by Gay Rights campaigners.

Souter lives in Perth with his wife and four children, and is a prominent member of Perth's Trinity Church.