Neil Hood who died on February 2, this year, was President of EIBA in 1985 and 1986. In an obituary the Scottish Herald wrote: 'His untimely death has deprived Scotland of one of his most influential and remarkable citizens; he represented the true embodiment of the Strathclyde University ethos of Useful Learning'. His close friend and co-author Stephen Young wrote in the AIB Newsletter, 2nd Quarter 2006: 'He will be remembered as one of the pioneers of the academic study of international business in the United Kingdom...'.
 
It is not possible to capture the enormous versatility that Neil Hood has shown during all those years in a few lines. He was not only a gifted academic researcher and teacher, but also a policy maker and adviser, an entrepreneur, a preacher and religious writer. Few people are able to simultaneously lead so many different lives or careers in an enthusiastic, caring and efficient way. His influence extended far beyond Scotland and the United Kingdom and during the 1980s EIBA was glad to be able to benefit from his academic insights and his entrepeneurial drive. When he accepted a public policy appointment at the end of the 1980s as Director of the investment promotion agency Locate in Scotland, and could no longer be actively involved in EIBA, he continued to follow its development with great interest.
 
Neil Hood started his academic career at the Glasgow University and Paisley College of Technology and from 1979 onwards was linked with the University of Strathclyde - where he hosted EIBA's 11th Annual Conference in 1885 - first as a full time professor in international business and later on as a part time lecturer after he entered into government service. Together with Stephen Young he developed Strathclyde International Business Unit into one of the leading research centres on multinational entreprises. As a result of his involvement in the world of financial management Neil also held several directorships in private companies. In recognition of his contributions to the public and private sectors in Scotland, Neil was awarded the CBE and an honorary doctorate of the University of Strathclyde in 2003. Until 2004 he was Deputy Chairman of 'Scottish Enterprise'. It is during his time with Scottish Enterprise that he co-founded Scottish Equity Partners Ltd which he helped develop into a major venture capital company.
 
Even before ethical and moral issues became important in international business studies, Neil Hood had already persuaded many board members and managers that short time financial gains should not be given priority to these more relevant concerns. His Christian convictions were written out in 5 religious books, which he completed during the last years of his life.
 
I had the privilege to work closely together with Neil as co-organizer of the EIBA Conference in London in 1986 and I will never forget his warm personality and management qualifications. When I heard that he had to undergo cancer therapy I got back in touch with him and was relieved after his recovery, which sadly enough was very short. When he heard that I was becoming emeritus professor he sent me the following optimistic mail (January, 10, 2005) about a year before his death.
 
"Danny, its great to hear form you!...and to know that you have reached that exalted age. It was entirely fitting that you should have been honoured by your university, you have made a great contribution to them and to international business over many years.
Since I formally left my post at Strathclyde in August 2003 (at which time they made me an honorary doctor which was kind), my health has been poor but my spirit has been great! As you know I have devoted my writing time to Christian books since then and have now completed four, the latest of which will be published in May 2005. I have wanted to do this for years and it is an offspring of my Christian faith. They have sold very well in different parts of the world. The desire to write for the Christian cause plus my health, has led me to 'park' academic work at the moment. I'll need to sort out my intentions soon!!"
 
During the last year of his life he wrote a fifth volume, which was delivered to the publisher a few days before his death. To the EIBA members who have known Neil personally and the many scholars who have studied his (often reprinted)  influential 1979 book  'The Economics of the Multinational Enterprises' (with Stephen Young) and his  many other important contributions to international business, Neil Hood is indeed a great loss.
 
Danny Van Den Bulcke