Entrepreneur and engineer. Born in Carmunnock (Glasgow), the son of a butcher, McColl was educated at Rutherglen Academy. At sixteen he began an apprenticeship at Weir Pumps in Cathcart. He then read for a BSc and MBA at the University of Strathclyde and went on to become a business consultant turning round 'sick' companies. In 1992, he bought a substantial share of the Clydebank-based Clyde Blowers, which manufactured equipment to remove soot from boilers, and has subsequently transformed this into a high-performing group of companies. Under McColl's direction, this company was able to take over his first employer, Weir Pumps. Now headquartered in East Kilbride, Clyde Blowers specialises in power systems engineering, materials handling, transport and logistics, as well as pump technologies.
McColl was awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours List of 2001. He was awarded an honorary degree by Napier University (2003) and an Scottish International Business Achievement award (2006). By 2007, he was the tenth richest person in Scotland, and by 2011 he was a billionaire. He now lives in Monaco.
