At Erskine, every resident’s story is a chapter in our long history. Among those stories, one which has touched our hearts is that of William “Bill” Mann CBE, a proud Scotsman, philanthropist, and devoted father whose legacy lives on.

At this year’s Military Ball, we are proudly naming a special award in Bill’s honour. For those who didn’t know Bill, we reflect on his life, his family’s journey, and his links to Erskine.

Bill was a Glasgow accountant, businessman, and philanthropist who devoted most of his life to worthy causes. Born in Dalmuir in November 1934, Bill moved with his family to Glasgow’s West End after the war, where he was educated at the Glasgow Academy.

After school, Bill studied accountancy. Upon graduation, he joined the accountancy firm of Alexander Sloan. His career there was interrupted by a short spell in Essex for National Service, followed by a posting to Malaysia.

Bill returned to civilian life and decided to set up his own company. He established W. M. Mann & Co. (Investments) Ltd, which for nearly 50 years has provided commercial finance to Scottish-based companies. The undoubted success of the W. M. Mann Group enabled Bill to step away from daily business duties, at a relatively young age, and focus on, what he considered to be, more interesting activities.

Together with his wife Aileen, he set up a charitable foundation in the mid-1980s that supported numerous causes across Scotland, including Erskine. In fact, the WM Mann Foundation has supported Erskine for decades, during which time Bill and his family have donated tens of thousands of pounds to support our Veterans.

After Aileen’s passing in 1996, Bill poured his love into being a devoted grandfather to his eight grandchildren. In 2013, his family noticed subtle changes in his memory and behaviour and by 2017, it became clear that Bill needed specialist care. His daughter Sarah searched for the right place for her dad, where he would be cared for and understood. When she first visited the Erskine Glasgow home, she knew immediately that she had found it.

“It was like walking into a house and knowing it’s the one,” Sarah recalled. “Erskine just felt right.” 

We were honoured to care for Bill in his final years. His family found peace in knowing he was safe and supported, whilst also being supported themselves through the challenges of dementia. Bill passed away peacefully at Erskine in December 2019, with Sarah by his side.

Now Sarah follows in her father’s footsteps, and is one of Erskine’s Ambassadors. Her bestselling book, Because I Know Who He Is, details her family’s journey and the compassion that defined Bill’s final years.

To honour his life of generosity and kindness, Erskine is proud to announce the Bill Mann Award, which will be presented at our Military Ball to a worthy winner. This award will recognise people with exceptional commitment to Erskine’s Veterans.

Bill Mann’s story reminds us that, at Erskine, care is not just about medicine or routine. It’s about people, who are at the heart of everything we do. We don’t just care for our residents; we care about them, and that care extends to their families too.