Businessman. Born at North Berwick, great-grandson of the Glasgow industrialist Charles Tennant (1768 - 1838), Tennant was educated at Eton College followed, briefly, by Magdalene College, Cambridge, which he left to work in the film industry. During World War II, he served in Egypt with the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, and then as an intelligence officer, but was taken prisoner at Tobruk. Held in Italy and Germany until 1945, Tennant staged entertainments in the camps but also served as escape officer.
After the war he joined Caledonian Associated Cinemas, which was part-owned by his family, and was soon appointed to the board (1950-90). Caledonian won the independent television franchise for the N of Scotland, which began broadcasting as Grampian Television in 1961. Tennant served initially as Vice-Chairman (1960-68) and then Chairman (1968-89). He held a number of other directorships, including Clydesdale Bank (1969-89), Times Publishing (1962-66) and Glenlivet Distillers (1964-84).
Tennant also served on Moray and Nairn County Council (1956-64). He was Lord Lieutenant of Moray (1963-94), Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (1988-89) and a Crown Estate Commissioner for Scotland (1970-90). He was appointed a Member of the Royal Company of Archers (1950) and a Knight of the Thistle in 1986.
A friend of the Royal Family, Tennant was an usher at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He also served as a Governor of Gordonstoun School from 1951 and Chairman of the Board (1957-72), including the time when Prince Charles was educated there. Tennant and his wife, Lady Margaret Ogilvy daughter of 12th Earl of Airlie, looked after the Prince.
His home was Innes House, near Lhanbryde (Moray), where he died. His funeral was held in the Chapel of Gordonstoun School. Tennant will be remembered a man of great integrity and loyalty, who worked hard for the county of Moray.
