John Purvis

John Purvis, CBE (born 6 July 1938, St Andrews, Fife) is a former Conservative MEP for Mid Scotland and Fife (1979-1984) and, from 1999 to 2009, was one of Scotland's seven MEPs.

Purvis is married with three children and ten grandchildren. He has farming and property interests in North East Fife and has extensive knowledge of the international financial services industry, having worked in the sector for several decades and having later contributed his expertise on relevant committees in the European Parliament.

Purvis served as a second lieutenant in the Scots Guards (1956-1958) and graduated MA (Hons) from the University of St Andrews (1962). He worked for First National City Bank in London, New York and Milan (1962-1969) and was Treasurer of merchant bank Noble Grossart Ltd in Edinburgh (1969-1973). He was Managing Director and Chairman of Gilmerton Management Services Ltd St Andrews (1973-1986) and Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (1986-1997). He received the CBE in 1990. During his second term as an MEP, Purvis was Vice Chairman of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (2002-2009) and a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (1999-2009). He also served on EU delegations to the Gulf States and to Middle Eastern countries and served on the EU Committee of Inquiry into the Equitable Life Assurance Society crisis. During his 15 years as an MEP, Purvis produced a number of major reports which helped to shape EU policy – notably on biotechnology (supporting GM foods), telecommunications and financial regulation.

John Purvis (Royal Navy officer)

Vice Admiral John Brett Purvis (12 August 1787 – 1 October 1857) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, South East Coast of America Station.

Naval career

Born the son of Admiral John Child Purvis, Purvis joined the Royal Navy in 1799. Promoted to commodore, he became Commander-in-Chief, South East Coast of America Station in March 1842. Promoted to rear admiral on 9 November 1846, he went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Queenstown in June 1852 and was promoted to vice admiral on 4 July 1853.

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