He stood down after one five-year term, due to pressure of business: in 1983 he had become the co-founder of Adam & Company, a start-up private bank subsequently acquired by Royal Bank of Scotland, and following a merger, became chairman of Continental Assets Trust plc.
He relinquished his position after one five-year term, owing to the weight of commercial demands: in 1983 he had co-founded Adam & Company, a fledgling private bank that was later acquired by Royal Bank of Scotland, and subsequently took on the role of chairman for Continental Assets Trust plc.