Douglas John Ward served on the Scottish Rugby Council from 2013 until 2017 as a national league representative and he was long associated with the Biggar club and many developments at their playing fields and clubhouse at Hartreemill.

He was club president from 2011-2013, having served as vice-president in the two preceding years.

In his professional life he was a leading international authority on biofuel in a career that spanned 35 years.

He was managing director of William Forrest and Sons, the company which played a crucial role in the management of the BSE “mad cow disease” crisis in the farming industry in the UK in the mid- 1980s.

He was also founder of Argent Energy, which constructed a £15 million biodiesel plant (the first facility of its kind in the world producing diesel entirely from waste oil sources).

Doug went on to serve as the Vice-President of the European Biodiesel Board and was a former Chairman of the Renewable Energy Association transport fuels group.

Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Doug’s family and friends.

Doug Ward’s funeral service will take place at the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DJ on Wednesday 1 February at 11am.  Family flowers only please.

The service will be followed by lunch in the President’s Suite at BT Murrayfield Stadium.  Parking will be available at the stadium from 9am and transport will be provided to and from the church with coaches leaving the stadium from approximately 10am.