Family, friends, Directors and Members recently gathered for a moving and memorable occasion- the unveiling of a portrait honouring May Storrie CBE. May was the first female to hold the title of Lord Dean of Guild in our more than 400-year history.

Unveiled by her son Stuart and current Lord Dean of Guild Tony McElroy, the portrait will take pride of place in the Lord Dean’s Room, a poignant tribute to a remarkable woman, whose leadership left a lasting impact on the House and the city of Glasgow.

Over lunch and a series of short speeches, guests shared personal stories and reflections of May, a leading light in both business and philanthropy in Scotland, who sadly passed away in 2023. 

A legacy of service and vision

After six years as a Director, May became Lord Dean in 2021. Speaking of her appointment she said “When I stood in Glasgow Cathedral for the Kirking of the Lord Dean of Guild service, I reflected on what it meant for a girl who left school at 16 to take on such a prestigious role, and to be the first woman ever to do so. It’s rare to be the first at anything in life and I feel very privileged to have encountered the warmth, insight, and spirit of goodwill from those I’ve met through this role.”

In her role as second citizen May undertook many civic duties including welcoming visitors to the city during COP26, leading tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and being part of the team that welcomed the Princess Royal to Glasgow after her mother’s passing.

Dedicated to continuing the charitable work of the Merchants House, May was conscious of the need for the organisation to keep moving forward and to remain relevant. With this in mind, she established the Legacy and Philanthropy Committee, which has raised significant funds to support those in greatest need across Glasgow and the West of Scotland. From food banks to mental health services, May believed in the power of small charities and community groups to make a meaningful difference.

May said “At times, my eyes were opened to the truly shocking levels of poverty many people face today. From food banks to child bereavement services, charities combating loneliness in isolated older people, to the day to day life of young carers. There are so many people in need within Glasgow and the West of Scotland and many small charities are determined to help, despite running their services on shoestring budgets. What always shines through is the drive to make a positive difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

A sense of style

Always immaculately turned-out, May had a keen sense of style and was passionate about art. One memorable example of how she combined these interests with her philanthropic work was a fashion show held at The Merchants House, which raised over £10,000 for Say Women, a charity supporting young women affected by homelessness and abuse.

The newly unveiled portrait, by Scottish based classic oil portrait painter Max Scotto, also reflects these interests, and stands as a lasting legacy to inspire future generations.

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