"Sir Ian Wood was a giant of Scottish business.
I had the privilege of knowing and working with him for more than 40 years, and his extraordinary work ethic, attention to detail and natural charisma always stood out," Gilbert said.
Jennifer Craw, chief executive of Opportunity North East, recalled Wood's constant drive for regional progress.
"He encouraged us to look beyond our own organisations, learn from the best internationally and apply that thinking here in the north east," Craw said.
She noted Wood's continuous focus on pushing local development further: "And whatever we had achieved, his question never changed: what else?
What more can we do for the region? I will miss that question."
Offshore Energies UK Chief Executive David Whitehouse pointed to Wood's structural contributions to energy policy, including the Wood Review.
"Sir Ian Wood was one of the defining figures of the North Sea era," Whitehouse said.
He emphasized how Wood reshaped industry practices regarding offshore resources: "Through the Wood Review, he challenged industry and government to think differently about collaboration, stewardship and maximising the value of the UK’s offshore resources."
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Russell Borthwick highlighted Wood's core belief in ethical enterprise.
"Few individuals have left such a profound mark on Aberdeen and the wider region," Borthwick said.
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He noted that Wood's business philosophy centered on community benefit: "Sir Ian believed passionately that business should be a force for good."
