Self-made Govan man who led Braehead and other major projects dies

David Adams passed away on December 13, 2025, while looking out over the Clyde at the Golden Jubilee Hospital, a building he had once project-managed to completion ahead of schedule and on budget, reports The Herald.

Born on August 8, 1955, David was a highly respected figure in project management and the construction industry.

A proud Glaswegian with deep Govan roots, he attended Hillhead High School, where he met his lifelong partner Doreen.

The couple married in 1976 and went on to raise two daughters and a son.

By the age of 28, David was already a chartered quantity surveyor and held a postgraduate degree in project management from Heriot-Watt University.

In 1987, he established a project management consultancy in Glasgow for Muirheads, and just four years later, he bought out their interest, rebranding the firm as MPM Adams and expanding its reach across the UK.

Under David’s leadership, the company became one of the country’s leading independent project management consultancies, with offices in Glasgow, Manchester, London and Edinburgh.

MPM Adams went on to deliver a series of high-profile projects, including the Clydebank campus – now the NHS Golden Jubilee Hospital – the Spindles shopping centre in Oldham, New Lanark Hospital and Braehead Shopping Centre.

In 1995, David further broadened his impact by co-founding Canmore Partnership, a specialist public-use infrastructure company.

Canmore quickly found success, completing the first PPP project in further education and managing major developments for a number of hospitals.

Deeply committed to philanthropy and community, David ensured Canmore donated 5% of its operational profits to East Park School and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.

By the time he sold MPM Adams to Capita in 1999, the firm employed more than 150 staff.

He remained as managing director of group project management consultancy services, almost doubling MPM Capita’s fee income in three years, before becoming divisional director responsible for all Capita’s project management, cost management and building surveying activities.

Sure and steadfast, as might be expected from a Boys’ Brigade veteran, David forged lasting friendships from his schooldays and throughout his career.

He celebrated his silver wedding anniversary with Doreen at Skibo Castle, creating cherished memories for family and friends.

A man of wide-ranging interests, he loved history, music and travel, and his enthusiasm for sport saw him sponsor the Scottish Rocks at Braehead and support Rangers.

Later in life, David found particular joy in golf, becoming a member of Glasgow Golf Club and the Golf House Club, Elie.

His final project was transforming Katherine Bank into an oasis for his extended family, reflecting his enduring dedication to those closest to him.

A devoted family man above all, David is survived by his wife, three sisters, three children and six grandchildren.