Brian McGrath
Encyclopedia
Sir Brian McGrath, GCVO
(born 1925) was the Private Secretary
to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
He was educated at Eton College
. In 1943-1946 he served in the Irish Guards
, and after the war
he joined Cannon Brewery (1946–1948). In 1948 went to Victoria Wine Ltd, of which he became a director in 1949, and was chairman 1960-1982. He is a Master of Wine
.
McGrath also held various directorships, including Grants of St James Ltd 1960 (chairman 1975-1982), Allied Breweries Ltd (now Allied-Lyon Plc) 1970-1982, and Broad Street Securities Ltd (chairman 1983-1991).
In 1982 he joined the Office of the Duke of Edinburgh as Assistant Private Secretary, being promoted to Private Secretary and Treasurer in 1984. In 1992 he ceased to be Private Secretary, and from 1993 to 1995 was Head of the Household. He retired as Treasurer in 1995, and in the following year was appointed Extra Equerry
.
McGrath was made a CVO
in 1988, and advanced to KCVO
in 1993 and GCVO in 2001. He was a Younger Brother of the Corporation of Trinity House
from 1993.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(born 1925) was the Private Secretary
Private Secretary
In the United Kingdom government, a Private Secretary is a civil servant in a Department or Ministry, responsible to the Secretary of State or Minister...
to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
He was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
. In 1943-1946 he served in the Irish Guards
Irish Guards
The Irish Guards , part of the Guards Division, is a Foot Guards regiment of the British Army.Along with the Royal Irish Regiment, it is one of the two Irish regiments remaining in the British Army. The Irish Guards recruit in Northern Ireland and the Irish neighbourhoods of major British cities...
, and after the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he joined Cannon Brewery (1946–1948). In 1948 went to Victoria Wine Ltd, of which he became a director in 1949, and was chairman 1960-1982. He is a Master of Wine
Master of Wine
Master of Wine is a qualification issued by The Institute of Masters of Wine in the United Kingdom...
.
McGrath also held various directorships, including Grants of St James Ltd 1960 (chairman 1975-1982), Allied Breweries Ltd (now Allied-Lyon Plc) 1970-1982, and Broad Street Securities Ltd (chairman 1983-1991).
In 1982 he joined the Office of the Duke of Edinburgh as Assistant Private Secretary, being promoted to Private Secretary and Treasurer in 1984. In 1992 he ceased to be Private Secretary, and from 1993 to 1995 was Head of the Household. He retired as Treasurer in 1995, and in the following year was appointed Extra Equerry
Equerry
An equerry , and related to the French word "écuyer" ) is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually upon a Sovereign, a member of a Royal Family, or a national...
.
McGrath was made a CVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
in 1988, and advanced to KCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
in 1993 and GCVO in 2001. He was a Younger Brother of the Corporation of Trinity House
Trinity House
The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond is the official General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and other British territorial waters...
from 1993.